Must-Watch Film | 3:10 to Yuma (2007, Remake)

I'm proud to say that I was one of the first cinema-goers to watch "3:10 to Yuma", back in 2007, when it was released into UK cinema theatres, as I saw it on its first showing in the UK. Having recently watched "3:10 to Yuma" after all those years ago watching the film in the cinema, it brought memories flooding back to me as to how good the film was.

The western setting isn't one which oozes with popularity these days, as box-office records show for "3:10 to Yuma" (2007), having cost $55 million in its production budget, then to only pull in $70 million at the worldwide box-office. This is a shame and a clear crime against good movies, as it is one of the best western films I have ever seen, perfectly befitting for the modern audience.

Getting back to the film itself, it had all the aspects which make up a great adventure, crime, dram, western, showing all that the wild-wild-west had to offer, in all of its glory.

The director of "3:10 to Yuma" is a personal favourite of mine, James Mangold (Directed Identity, 2001 and The Wolverine, 2013), who has a great understanding of how a great action 'blockbuster' potential film must be approached. He certainly approached "3:10 to Yuma" with a sense of realism of how it would have been back in the wild-west days, bringing across the impacts of living in a desert and providing for your family.

It is the real-life elements which you feel in "3:10 to Yuma", having had Christian Bale's character, Dan Evans, be that real-life element which the feel needed. Dan Evans is a war veteran, having fought for his country, but didn't come home to a friendly welcome and good greetings from his nation, but rather a small fee for his time. Did I mention, he also lost his leg.

These real-life experiences make the film feel more 'real' in the audiences eyes, as they take a journey, better understanding how life in the wild-west would have been. Not to say, there isn't any action, because what would an 'action/adventure' film be without any gun fights and brutality. Well, not an action/adventure film, at all.

Russell Crowe is the lean, mean convict whose unlawful activities, stealing loot and killing innocent and dangerous thieves, burglars, gun-slingers and outlaws, has put him at the top of the 'most wanted' list. Russell Crowe's character, Ben Wade, although as violent as I have just described him as being, has a lighter, more down-to-earth side, but don't let that fool you, as he is no singing angel.

This film has action, feeling and more action, to keep you fully entertained, right up until the end credits start rolling. The western time was an iconic time era for most, as the events changed how America operated, as white settlers were fighting for control over the mighty nation.

Although, this film, is more about the battle for power, money and control, as the ruthless gang led by Ben Wade go in pursuit of the law enforcement holding him captive.

This is a perilous task, as Ben Wade (played by Russell Crowe) is no ordinary convict, since he is far more unpredictable and violent. He is also quite the shooter, making it even more vital that the captors keep guns out of Wade's reach.

So, how does the film pace, from start-to-finish?

As soon as the film starts, it drew my attention, as I was intrigued by the western world, long before large cities and tall towers took over the American land.

If you are interested in the wild-west set films, then your eyes will be glued to the screen from start-to-finish, whereas, if you have little interest in the wild-west, then you may still enjoy the film, as its action and real-life feel may keep your interest, without fail.

The feeling of danger and excitement throughout the film kept my interest, but as-soon-as the ending neared, my interest and complete attention turned to wondering just how the film would end. It is that immediate wondering that makes the film all worth while, as it downed upon me that it may be a more unexpected ending than I had first anticipated.

The 2000's was an empty year for western (wild-west) films, as there was a much bigger focus for movie production studios to produce modern-set actions, spy films, superhero films and anything starring Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt or Daniel Craig in the action/adventure genre.

However, "3:10 to Yuma" was a turnaround for the modern wild-west set films, as it was the first exciting modern 'western' film which felt like it was worthy to be called 'great'.

"3:10 to Yuma" is a film I can watch again, in a hurry, as it felt like the type of film which could entertain just about anyone who's into action, as the shoot-outs alone were 'blockbuster' worthy.

This is a film I would call a 'success', even with the disappointing box-office results, as it had me on edge from start-to-finish, being rare for an action/adventure film, as usually the storyline's poorly thought out and executed.

The early 2000's (2000 to 2004) were a disappointment, as we saw so many bad, terrible and horrendous releases, but thankfully, by 2005, we began to see an improvement in the films being released. Not that this can be said for all films released at that time, but most were getting better. By 2007, when "3:10 to Yuma" was released, we were getting the real-deal when it comes to films worth paying money for to see at the cinema theatres... that's for sure.

Only question is... why won't the mass audience pay money to watch a 'great' wild-west (set) film? ...It boggles the mind... truly!

Most, I'm sure, would agree that modern film remakes are a complete disappointment, as we see, year-in and year-out, film production studios releasing title remakes, but they never deliver what the name anticipates. As, when we think of the originals, we assume, the remakes will be as-good, if not, better.

Sadly, this isn't the case for most modern film remakes, although, on-the-other-hand, "3:10 to Yuma" is one of the few modern film remakes I would class as being as-good as the original. Not that I have seen the original but I am more than sure that, due to the high-class film-making we saw executed in "3:10 to Yuma", that it must be.

For film-makers being given the task to remake wild-west films, they should watch James Mangold's "3:10 to Yuma", as this quality of film-making is rare to come by these days.

I feel like the only issue with "3:10 to Yuma" isn't anything to do with the film internally, but rather externally, as the title does not pay justice to the film, at all. Certainly pays justice to the original, but I feel that the biggest issue is with the title. Easy to understand why they named the film "3:10 to Yuma", as it describes the aim of the stories plot, but generally speaking, it could have had a more appealing name.

"3:10 to Yuma" is my favourite modern film remake, or, in fact, any film remake for that matter. As the quality of the film-making, the acting, the storyline and the pacing of the film was spectacular.

I'm not a huge western fan, as I did not like any western films produced before the 2000's, but "3:10 to Yuma" certainly peaked my interest into being open to watch more modern film remakes of western (set) films.

"3:10 to Yuma" certainly shines the acting skills, that both, Russell Crowe and Christian Bale have, showing that they both fit-well in western (set) films, making it an interesting speculation, as to whether-or-not, they may both end-up back in the wild-west films again.

"3:10 to Yuma" (that good 2000's decade remake), the sixth in the must-watch series, is my favourite modern film remake. This is by-far, the perfect remake for any film-maker to watch, if they are looking to make a good western (set) film, or a general film remake.

Is "3:10 to Yuma" (2007) your favourite modern film remake? Or, can you think of a better remake? ...Leave your answer in the comments box below.

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Your friendly movie, games writer: Craig Easom