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The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels

The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels

“Yuma” on the dot

It’s been a while since I’ve been to the movies. Heck, it’s been even longer since I’ve seen a good one.

Finally, a movie set apart from all the clichés this summer about young kids partying and grabbing sexy chicks: “3:10 to Yuma” is a western that delivers.

The film is based on the short story written by Elmore Leonard. Set in the late 1800s, struggling rancher Dan Evans (Christian Bale) must decide whether to sell his land to the South Pacific Railroad or help bring the notorious outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) to Contention to catch the train to Yuma prison for $200.

It is not an easy task, as Dan faces issues with his pride and the interference of Wade’s posse. Evans decides to take a chance to save his land and restore the relationship with his wife (Gretchen Mol) and 14-year-old son (Logan Lerman).

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What sets this movie apart is the odd relationship Evans and Wade build throughout the course of traveling in the arid desert. Each is trying to portray a certain character, but in the end, each man sees the other for who he genuinely is.

The acting could not have been performed by a better cast. Crowe and Bale gave performances I could actually believe. The craftsmanship these two have for acting amazes me.

Delivering emotion, action, and actually not boring the audience to death by the climax are reasons these two still have a career. The supporting cast lifted the movie with great suspense, urging the audience for more excitement.

Peter Fonda plays the quick-tempered, hot-headed bounty hunter who should not be underestimated. His remarks should have had him dead by the beginning, but that’s what makes him great. Wade’s right-hand man Charlie (Ben Foster) is so convincing that he creates an unpredictable outcome to the movie. Quick-handed with his steel, foes ended up dead within the blink of an eye.

Director James Mangold (Walk The Line) gave a great flow of direction to the movie. The structure in the beginning was pretty predictable, but there were some twists and turns that give you a run for your money. The cinematography creates a great energy.

The held suspense ended up in a release of tension with some old-fashioned cowboy action. The camera would suddenly jump up and down, left to right, giving one a feel of a real show down with chaos and dilemma. The set up from costume and production design to lighting were all believable.

Overall, if you want to just sit down and enjoy a great plot that brings its game on, “3:10 to Yuma” has what you’re looking for.

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