Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Initial 3:10 to Yuma Thoughts

Russell Crowe & Christian Bale are two amazing actors. So of course, there is reason to be excited for a western remake staring these two talented actors. Yet when I watched it last weekend, despite my anticipation the film seemed like it was missing the magic.

I can't figure out who to blame though. As stated already, the acting was good. The scenes, sets, story line, music, effects, camera work...it all worked. But somehow not in a way that melded into anything memorable or meaningful.

Director James Mangold did some amazing things in the the film Walk the Line. And there were moments of magic when young Johnny Cash and Tommy Cash talked in their room, there was magic every time Reese Witherspoon was on screen, there was magic when Dallas Roberts as Sam Phillips was auditioning Johnny and his band, and I can pick out a handful of memorable scenes and moments.

Maybe it's not fair to compare 3:10 to Yuma & Walk the Line.

Yet, even as I am drawn to the character of Ben Wade and Dan Evans (Crowe & Bale) there isn't that same magic. I wonder if it's faithfulness to the western genre? I'm not quiet sure.

9 comments:

Discontented Refuge said...

I liked 3:10 to Yuma. It was quite refreshing to see the Western make a comeback.

maryt/theteach said...

Loved Joaquin Phoenix in Walk the Line...am disappointed that the magic is missing from Crowe and Bale. Two actors that I really, really like.

Anonymous said...

3:10 to Yuma is my favorite film from 2007 so far.

Craig Kennedy said...

I generally don't like Russell Crowe that much, but I loved him in Yuma. Christian Bale was even better than he usually is. Sometimes his characters are a little too stiff...hard to warm up to, but I had so much sympathy for Dan Evans.

Beyond that, the movie worked for me just as entertainment, but I've also found myself thinking about it alot in the weeks that followed. I like it when movie does that to me.

Nice blog by the way.

Anonymous said...

Ya, this movie was kind of a disappointment to me. It wasn't a complete waste of time (Bale was AMAZING), but it seemed incredibly pointless in the end. Lots of great characters, lots of action, lots of humor, but nothing to say for it.

It was alright.

Southern (in)Sanity said...

Oh, this is interesting. I had heard a lot about this film and was planning to see it, but if it's a disappointment...

Terence Towles Canote said...

I haven't seen 3:10 to Yuma yet, although I have heard mixed reviews. Some people really liked it while others were disappointed. It is hard for me to say what side of the fence I would fall on, although if it is loyal Western, I would probably like it.

RC said...

@ RWA & Mercurie - See the film...don't NOT see it on my account.

I'd love to know your thoughts. Maybe you will be captured by somethng I was not.

Magnus said...

I quite liked Yuma and I was unsure how much I would like it. It isn't flawless, but it was a welcome addition to the genre in my books.
Just that ending really picked me.