3:10 to Yuma (2007)

There is nothing quite like a good old-fashioned western and when done right, it can be entertaining and enjoyable.  From the outlaws to the lawmen, and the gunfights that take over a small town, they are a part of movie history that continues to this day.  Ten years ago, Lionsgate decided to add to the Western movie collection with the film 3:10 to Yuma, and, now, it is being released in the most advanced format – 4K –for audiences to enjoy.  A remake of the 1957 film of the same name, 3:10 to Yuma garnered critical acclaim when it was released in theaters.

Dan Evans (Christian Bale; The Dark Knight) is a rancher who is down on his luck due to a drought that has threatened his livestock.  

Unfortunately, it has affected his relationships with his wife and sons and has diminished his masculinity in the eyes of his family.  When Evans and his sons see outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe; Gladiator) and his gang rob a stagecoach, they threaten the three yet leave them alive.  Evans decides to go after Wade and deliver him to the train going to the Yuma Territorial Prison in an attempt to earn money to save his ranch while also earning back the respect he so desperately wants.

Along the way, Evans and a team of men encounter various obstacles including an Apache attack and Wade's escape.  They then must battle the posse of a Chinese labor construction camp to get Wade back and continue with their plan to deliver him to the prison train.  Once they finally arrive in Yuma, they must fight Wade's gang who have come to rescue him; however, after Evans' confession to Wade about trying to restore his honor, Wade agrees to go the train and orders his men to stand down.  However, Prince (Ben Foster; Hell or High Water) disobeys and shoots Evans, killing him right before his son's eyes.

One of the better qualities of this version of the film is the cast.  From Bale to Crowe and Foster to Gretchen Mol (Empire Boardwalk), they all deliver solid performances with subtle nuances one doesn't necessarily expect in a Western.  There are also some great moments from Peter Fonda (Easy Rider) and Alan Tudyk (Firefly).  The story isn't especially unique, but the script is well enough written to keep the audience's interest.

With the latest technology, the decade-old film as a new life.  The 2160p high definition video is beautiful except in the case of the special effects.  Unfortunately, with 4K, the graphics tend to look fake, especially with older films that were shot before this technology was perfected.  The scenery, however, is spectacular in the format and the colors are vibrant.  The DTS:X  audio is impressive throughout, from the gunshots to the rustling of the wind across the plains to the dialogue.  Even the soundtrack benefits from the higher quality.

The package includes the extras that were found on the original Blu-ray release and include audio commentary from the Director, Destination Yuma, which is a 21-minute look at the making of, props, score, the history of outlaws in the US and a look at the transcontinental railroad, The Guns of Yuma, Historical Timelines of the West and A Conversation with Elmore Leonard who wrote the original story the film is based upon.   These features are rather entertaining and informative, and some can be enjoyable for the average history buff.

If you happen to love western movies, this one is a great example of the newer version.  From a terrific cast to a good story and some wonderful music and cinematography, 3:10 to Yuma is a disc worth owning and if you happen to have the latest technology, you are definitely going to want to buy this one in 4K.

Grade: A-