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Remake done right
‘Yuma’ brings back the classic western
By Marty Sliva
The reason that ‘3:10 to Yuma’ succeeds as a remake is because it remains true to the original without being held prisoner by it.
The past few decades have been a strange time for westerns. Most of the successful ones, such as “Unforgiven,” “Open Range” and “The Proposition” have strayed from the classic western formula in favor of a much more critical look at the era.
While these “anti-westerns” have been nice, one misses the beautiful simplicity of the classic westerns. Thankfully, “3:10 to Yuma” has the old-school feel mixed with a touch of the modern.
Where Rob Zombie’s “Halloween” remake feels like the same slasher movie that seems to come out every month, “3:10 to Yuma” reinvigorates a genre that has been missing from theaters for quite some time.
The film follows the story of the 1957 original fairly closely. Christian Bale plays a crippled civil war veteran who is barely scraping by an honest farmer’s living for him and his family.
On the other side of the spectrum, Russell Crowe’s Ben Wade is a ruthless bandit who feels that he owes nothing to the world. Along with his ragtag group of misfits and monsters, he makes a living by committing any and all acts of treachery.
When the law finally catches up with Crowe, it’s up to Bale and a motley crew of civilians (including Peter Fonda), to make sure that they get the bandit on the 3:10 train to Yuma, where he will be hanged by the neck until dead.
Although Crowe and Bale excel at playing their respective roles, one can’t help but feel that they are both holding back. For two actors who have delivered some of the most nuanced and articulate performances of the past decade, it’s a bit disappointing to see them as characters that just aren’t all that deep.
One standout in the film is Ben Foster (“X-Men: The Last Stand”), who plays Crowe’s right-hand man. His character epitomizes the wild force that pushes against the progress of civilization. He kills with a frightening calm, and yet his undying loyalty to Crowe makes him an admirable psychopath.
Director James Mangold continues to pad his resume with some impressive films. From “Cop Land” and “Identity” to 2005’s “Walk the Line,” he consistently crafts a movie that is visually appealing as well as entertaining to watch. “Yuma” allows his creative eye to be set on a more natural setting, which gives us some great shots of the barren west.
The reason that “3:10 to Yuma” succeeds as a remake is because it remains true to the original, without being held prisoner by it. A good remake should never have to stand in the shadow of the original. Thankfully, “Yuma” stands tall as a much needed uniquely nostalgic breath of air.
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