Updated: September 16, 2007

Individual reports:

Amelie --- Avril --- Cindy --- Tracey ---Tamara --- Sabry

So much of the acting we see everyday is on the level, of say, cheap Genesee beer. To observe Russell in action in this film is to savor a fine single malt scotch, neat. The complexity, the dimension, the smokiness of character -- all there. It is rare to find an actor who elevates every role to this level. Not so with Russell. I'd have to say his portrayal of Ben Wade is probably one of the finest performances I've ever seen. He says so much with a simple gesture or squint of an eye. Superb performance. I loved how this film was a battle of wits, not just guns. Christian Bale's Dan Evans was a great pairing for Russell's character. What wonderful surrounding characters, too, especially the shark-eyed Charlie Prince. Simply a terrific film! Thanks for your wonderful site, Murph.
Sláinte!
Irish Máire

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From anon: I finally got to see Yuma yesterday, wow I loved it! I'm not big on westerns (only some of the old John Ford films, The unforgiven ) but I truely liked this film. Russell blows me away evertime, his performance was great, I like when he plays 'a bad guy'  to me there's always something that give's him a bit of humanity, when he told the story of his mother leaving him at the train station.
 
And it's always these little things that look so natural, yet you know nothing is by accident in his performances, it's all planned in his head. Like in LAC, how I thought to myself, bud's jacket is too small for him, only to find out he planned it that way, and in The Insider (one of the greatest performances on film in my opinion) when Jeffrey falls and stumbles on his lawn, and after my first viewing I always had to turn away from that scene, only to hear him say in an interview, that he wanted people to feel uncomfortable. In Yuma, in the beginning, when they blow up the coach, ben kneels down and looks away and does not even flinch or blink an eye when it explodes, as that sound is as normal to him as a person saying hello.

He amazes me, always. The things he can 'say' on film without ever saying a word, all in his eyes and face. amazing and riveting. The world of film is enriched by anything he does. It's not only his music I love lol -- my only disappointment? no trailer for american gangster before the film!

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I saw 3:10 to Yuma for the second time tonight (including the ending which I missed the first time around.)

I read the version of the Yuma script that was doing the rounds earlier this year and I was not all that enamoured by the ending as written word on the page. But seeing it transferred onto the big screen, I became totally immersed in the movie and wrapped up in the characters. Being carried along on the ride and seeing it unfold, I began to realise that I didn't want what I'd considered the more realistic ending to happen.

As a lover of older, classic films this one reminded me of all the old fashioned escapist movies I loved to watch as a kid and still do watch whenever I can on rainy weekend afternoons. In the name of cold, hard reality Mangold might have chosen to take the more believeable route and have Wade's gang kill Dan and ride off into the sunset with their boss a free man (the odds and human nature dictate that that's surely what would have happened in real life under such circumstances, right?) Or William would have shot Ben in cold blood - what an anti-climax and gut wrencher that would have been. But the good thing about this movie is that they resisted the temptation to re-write the script to this extent and to take the cold, hard reality right to the line. They (the screenwriters and Mangold) allowed us (the captivated audience) to be washed away in the nostalgia of an old-fashioned escapism not often seen in movies today. Neither was the ending too sugary (it didn't allow Ben to escape and Dan to walk away a free man, so it kept an element of grittiness) but it allowed the audience revel in the outcome for Ben. How many folks watching this do you think are willing him on escape? How many guys are wishing they could be Ben Wade? Russell's performance inspires that and his fate at the end allows the fantasy to linger on. His demise would have burst that bubble - and in contrast to today's harsh realities, this film transports you back to an older genre and era where you can wallow in knowing that what wouldn't likely happen in your real life can happen in this 2 hours of escapism.

I loved that Ben got the chance to "honour" Dan by getting on that train. I loved that William got to acknowledge his feelings for Ben by putting his gun back in his holster and not "avenging" his father. I loved that look in Charlie Prince's eye, in that split second when he turns around and realises that the man whom he is infatuated with, the man who's sketches he lingers over and who hat he caresses, is going to take him out. I wondered what was going through Ben's mind at that point and realised that I wasn't sure. I couldn't tell if he was regretful at having to kill Charlie (because Charlie blatantly disobeyed his call to hold fire) or was disgusted at the fact he (Charlie) had let the animalistic side of the whole gang set up shatter what little amount of genuine goodness Ben had finally found in his brief relationship with Dan. That Russell played Wade so taughtly and balanced on a knife edge, made it well nigh impossible to judge. He played him as a complex, multi-faceted character when many actors of a lesser calibre would have had to play him as more one-dimensional. Russell gave us among other things, malevolance, barely controlled rage, simmering sexuality but also pity, vulnerabiity oh, and love for his mother.

Christian Bale was the perfect foil - maybe they were two sides of the same coin, with each man envying what the other had? Dan managed to finally find the bravery that he didn't display in the war and gain respect of his son. I wonder if Ben managed to get to Mexico and settle down with a woman who would give him the love that his mother didn't? We'll never know eh?

This film deserves to do well at the box office. I took the survey after the screening and gave the movie an excellent rating. The sneek peak audience here (4 empty seats in a theatre of around 100) stayed to the end and I heard favourable comments in the foyer after. Audience demograph was a mix of people in their 30s to 50s with several groups of teen or early 20s guys. It opens wide here in the UK on 14th September and I am looking forward to taking another ride on the 3.10 that weekend.

Avril

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This is a classic.  Kudos to Mangold, Crowe, Bale, and the numerous other creative minds who turned out such outstanding and memorable work.

The “sneak peek” showing was in a theater of about 200, and was very nearly sold out.  There was an audience of  mixed age adults and a few teenagers, and they ate this movie up with a spoon and licked the gravy off the plate.  There was lots of laughter in the right spots, during the dramatic scenes you could have heard a pin drop.  And I’m sure I wasn’t the only one with wet eyes when Dan made his speech to his son.  Intriguing characters, exciting action, and taut dramatic scenes made for wonderfully rich entertainment and left you with something to think about.

Mr. Sec said it was the best movie he’d seen in ages and my 17 yr old son proclaimed it, “totally awesome.”  He also made the unsolicited comment that “Russell Crowe owned.”
High praise indeed.  LOL

On to the spoilers:

(I’m having to make an effort not to write pages here.  There’s so much to see in this film.)

They had me at the first sketch.  There was a nod made to Gladiator in the beginning, but it was really much more than that.  In the first few minutes of the movie, Ben Wade never says a word, yet you know so much about him already.  He’s in total control, the others defer to him.  Here’s a man who staves off the boredom of yet another stage heist by amusing himself sketching wildlife.  By leaving the sketch on the tree, he shows it’s not the result but the process that he enjoys.  Add body language and the look on his face and who needs dialogue?

What a fascinating and complex creature Crowe’s Ben Wade is.  Eventually we come to understand him as a brilliant child thrown to the cruelties of frontier western life, abandoned with a Bible and a promise.  He treats his gang like the pack of vicious Dobermans that they are, with Prince well played by Ben Foster as the pack’s alpha bitch, who wants more than anything to please the master.

Bale was wonderful as well.  His plain, decent, and stoic Dan has been dealt one bad card after another and his desperation is felt without cliché.  The exchanges between the rancher and the outlaw are full of truth, it’s a joy to watch two such excellent actors work. Dan’s speech to his son near the end of the film brought tears to my eyes.

I thought all of the supporting players were spot on, Fonda, Durand, and many more.  Wilson had a sentinel line of the movie in his proclamation about morality.  One of the best things about this movie is all  the questions raised with the confused and ironic moralities portrayed.  Great fodder for discussion….

A few other things and I’ll  stop:

The scenes between Russell and Kevin Durand were especially fun to watch given the pair’s history, and I kept waiting for them to belt out a chorus of Nowhere.

I bet there wasn’t a woman in the theater who didn’t want a job as barmaid, at least in their fantasies.

My favorite line:  “Even bad men love their mommas.”

I thought the ending was great.  Go Ribbon.

Mostly, I can’t wait to get back in the theater and see it again.

secretariat7 (Tennessee, USA)

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3:10 to Yuma Review:

I'd like to say I hardly ever agree with a critic or read their reviews because they are usually way off base.  As I read the reviews for 3:10 to Yuma I got a little nervous I was reading so many positive reviews.  They were all right on the mark.

Ben Foster was impressively ruthless as Ben Wade's Lieutenant from the minute he appeared on the screen.   The tones of his voice his facial expression gave you chills and made you laugh at the same time.  That white jacket he wears is eye catching and makes him stand out from the rest of Ben's gang as well as everybody in the picture.

Christian Bale was equally impressive from his first scene to the very end.  I did chuckle at his limp and thinking of the "limp off" between him and Russell.   That aside, he conveyed so much emotion in his eyes and face in very scene.    

Russell fit the role like a glove.  There really isn't much to add about his performance that has not already been said.   He was Ben Wade a ruthless rogue to the point you forget he is acting. 

I really would like to see Russell and Christian do another movie together.  Their interaction was masterfully underplayed giving more intensity to the whole movie.             

When the movie ended, I looked around and the only seats I saw that were empty were the seats down front.  The ones that give you a creak in your neck from looking up you're so close to the screen.  Maybe 4 rows.  Everybody laughed and gasped and it sounded like they liked it.  There were a lot of people standing around outside filling out the preview sheets too.   My husband said that he like it a lot too. 

I do plan on seeing it again on Saturday the 8th and probably again after that.  Once is definitely not enough to catch everything that is happening in this movie. -- Coffee

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I saw "3:10 to Yuma" at a sold-out sneak preview on Manhattan's Upper West Side last night - and was thrilled by the performances (and by the audience reaction!).

Because the story has been recounted countless times on the internet, I'll only give a brief synopsis, without spoilers.  The film focuses on the capture of the outlaw, Ben Wade (Russell Crowe), and the rag-tag group of paid "volunteers" and Pinkerton men who take him to the 3:10 train to Yuma and the Federal prision there.

The relationship between Wade and one of the group, Dan Evans (Christian Bale) is the heart of the film -- Wade, a smooth-talking, charming killer, a good guy/bad guy - You root for him even when you know you shouldn't - and Evans, the vulnerable rancher, desperate for the reward money and for the respect he yearns for from his wife and son.

The actors are just terrific!   Crowe is fascinating, intelligent and wildly charming.  Bale is his equal--noble, intense and totally believable.

I must mention Ben Foster here,  who plays Wade's  psychotic sidekick.  It's a career-making performance, not unlike Jack Palance's turn as the black-hearted gunman in "Shane."

As a side note - it was a treat to see Kevin Durand ("Tree" in "Mystery Alaska") as a thoroughly evil member of the posse. - Di

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I was able to see a sneak preview for 3:10 to Yuma last night, in Kansas City, Missouri.   The theater, which seats about 300, was 80% full.  (There were rock concerts at two outdoor festivals here last night which brought theater attendance down.)

The audience response was fantastic to Russell, people loved the way he played the character.  I heard lots of laughter, some gasps during edge of your seat moments, even tears, but more importantly silence....when he captured their attention.   One of the things I enjoyed about his performance was how he acted with his eyes.   You knew what his character was feeling just by looking at him, he didn't have to say anything, which is the  mark of a great actor.  He showed great artistic expression, and he was able to evoke sympathy for his character.   He did a great job of gunslinging and gun twirling, as he did in Quick and the Dead, and his costumes were perfect, very accurate for the time period.  He looked very handsome of course.   

The musical score was very well done too, towards the last of the movie the score was  playing what sounded like a musical heartbeat, which helped the audience feel and be a part of the tension and excitement leading to the conclusion.

Christian Bale and Peter Fonda also gave outstanding performances, as did the rest of the supporting cast.   I'd talk more about Christian Bale's performance as it applies to his character, but I don't want to give any spoilers.   The actor that played his oldest son in the film also did very well. 

James Mangold did a wonderful job of directing the film, and I hope he and Russell Crowe,  Christian Bale, Peter Fonda and the entire production team behind the scenes will be remembered with award nominations early next year. 

Lady (Leslie)

P. S. When you see the film be sure and stay till all the credits are over, there's something unusual/different in them that you'll notice.

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Here it is, my take on Yuma:

    Gotta tell you.  Brutal.  Beautifully acted.  Well done. Great movie!! 

    Russell, as Ben Wade, was suave, sexy as hell.  And a vicious, remorseless, efficient killer, leading a pack of vicious, remorseless killers.  Sometimes, in a scene, someone would bate him.  And he'd go dead still.  He'd stare right in their eyes; you'd see the tip of his tongue, like a snake testing the air.  You could feel the coil.  You could hear the rattle.  Just a matter of time.  Sometimes cold, sometimes a shock of frenzy.  Other times,  Russell's Wade might keep you guessing.  Would he kill the guy or not?  He could if he wanted to.  That's what made him scary.  And yes he would. And his victim would know why. Sometimes he'd tell him why, sometimes it was obvious. A thinking man's psychopath.  I liked the detail of his character as crude sketch artist, too, the subjects of those sketches, and the detail that he would leave them behind. 

    Then there was Ben Foster as Charlie Prince--that baby face, those cold, flat eyes.  Russell might keep you guessing, but when Foster turned those flat eyes on you, you were already dead.  This impression is partly because he would always look straight into the camera.  Crazy. Scary. Dead.

    Christian Bale(Evans) was really excellent.  Hollow-eyed, haunted, resolute.  Everything to lose, not a lot to gain.  You still get the sense that even if they pay him $200 to deliver Ben Wade to the train, that the railroad is still going to take his land.  He may be desperate to feed his family, but he's looking to regain their respect more, especially that of his oldest son William.  I loved this young actor, I didn't catch his name when they ran the credits, but he really held his own, in more ways than one.

    All around solid performances.  Loved Peter Fonda, and Kevin Durand.  Loved the little bit where Russell sings, even if he is "hangin' in the mornin',"  and even if the circumstance where he picks up the lyrics ain't pretty, without giving anything away...but he sure can sing purty....  But I digress....

    Again, without giving too much away, I love the way Russell and Christian develop their characters, and the odd symbiotic relationship they have.  The things they reveal in each other, and to each other, things you get the feeling they'd never revealed to anyone else.  Never could. Never would.  You find out a little why they're the men that they are, and why they make the choices they ultimately make.  Very cool.

    That's the western for you in so many ways, and this was an exceptional western.  Characters stripped down to who they are at the bones. Survival.  Choices.  Sometimes dumb luck.  Sometimes deadly skill.  Sometimes when you least expect it, a chance at grace. Okay.  Bloody grace.  Bloody hell grace.  But grace nonetheless. 

 Can't wait to see it again!!!  Jenny in Chicago

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It was great to actually see Russell's longtime stand in, David Oliver. I'm so pleased that his face made the final cut! I noticed him during my first viewing, but this time I noticed so many more details that I missed before. I'm really looking forward to hearing Mangold and Konrad at the Arclight screening on Tuesday.

I didn't want to like Ben Foster so much - I like the two leads very much and all that "scene stealing" talk annoyed me. But - he's terrific. Mangold does a great job of spotlighting each actor, drawing out their best possible performance in every frame of this movie, and so I enjoyed each one of them tremendously, in their turn.

Some of the critics have implied "homoeroticism" between Charlie Prince and Ben. The way I'd put it is, Charlie has a big ol' crush on Ben; he hero worships him. You can see this at the bar, where he tells Ben, whose interest clearly lies with the barmaid, that he'll wait for him. It happens again after he returns Ben's fancy black hat and has a little wriggle of pleasure at pleasing his boss. Kevin Durand has a truly inspired and hilarious psycho moment too. [i]They're gonna hang me in the mornin'[/i]

As I said in my premiere review, Russell has created a Ben so malevolent, yet so charming, that his more heated glances seem as deadly as The Hand of God that he wears on his hip. 

Overheard much praise for Russell both before and after which was wonderful. Oh and my mom loved it! She was ready to burst near the end. - Tamara

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We throughly enjoyed this movie. 

Russell, as always, is excellent.  We have never been disappointed by him, on screen or on stage.

The excitement & anticipation in the enormous line outside the theater was palpable.  The audience reactions were positive throughout, with applause at the end and excited buzz exiting the theater. 

With all respect to the original film version & Elmore Leonard's writing, James Mangold has improved on the story. 

Russell Crowe as Ben Wade could not have been more perfectly protrayed.  He is charming, intelligent and dangerous.  Russell's ability to say so much without words should greatly please Elmore Leonard.

Ben Foster is very good at being bad.  Early on in the film we began hoping that Charlie Prince would be 'removed' soon.  Unlike Ben Wade, with the hope being that he will escape unscathed, bad as he may be.  It's also great to see Peter Fonda as the bounty hunter.  The chemistry between Ben & him being a pleasure to behold.  It would be nice to see Russell & Peter together again in a future tale.

Very well cast with good performances by all.  No negative comments here.

Vickie, Scappoose, Oregon

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At the sneak preview in Destin, Florida, the theatre was about 75% full -- the audience ran the full spectrum in age -- I got there at 6:30 for the 7:00 show and there were already a lot of people there.   And, I must point out that a 75% full theatre in a beach / tourist town on Labor Day weekend is wonderful. 

I still didn't find the "real" Ben Wade! 

But, I did stand around the theatre exit and listened to folks reactions as they came out.  The reactions were as varied as the ages of the audience -- concerning what "grabbed" them in the film -- but they were all positive.  There were a lot of "so & so has GOT to see this movie", and several "I can't wait until Friday so I can see this movie again".

Carol

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HI,
 
I'M CHATTLES MOM.
 
I WENT TO SEE THE MOVIE WITH HER LAST EVENING. 
 
EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT A WESTERN FAN I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THIS MOVIE.  THE ACTING IS SUPERB.  THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO MAIN CHARACTERS COMES THROUGH ALMOST FROM THE BEGINNING.  LOTS OF ACTION.  LOTS OF SURPRISES. RECOMMEND IT HIGHLY.

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WHAT A TRULY AWESOME MOVIE!

First off Ben Foster was very good but I didn't feel he was a scene stealer. His character was  very one dimensional. He had a purpose and that was to free his boss and get his hat back (I love that hat on Ben  )and he never quit. I knew the ending to the original and I felt a letdown after that one  but not this one. I also worried a bit about a one legged man running and jumping over rooftops but I think it was only his foot. In the first scene with the barn burning I thought he was just putting on a wooden foot.I didn't find that unbelievable either.

Russell was certainly at his very very best....not that he isn't always now but he showed soooo many different emotions and some so quick it kind of shocked me.

Christian was perfect for Dan. I really felt a lot of sympathy for him but also a lot of admiration. It was a great pleasure to watch their scenes together.

Supporting cast were all a compliment to the two leads. Well done all the way around.

Theatre was not packed but mostly, maybe 3/4 full but those there really got into the action the humour and during the "green eyes" scene dead silence. Nobody wanted to miss a word I guess or they were all mezmerized by that sexy Ben's voice and look.

I will be heading back to the theatre on Friday to soak up some more of this wonderful movie. I always find something more and new in repeat showings.

DON'T MISS IT. -- Carol/swept

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I have to admit I was very nervous going into tonight's preview.  The advance reviews have, so far, been so overwhelmingly positive, I was quite scared that the movie wouldn't live up to the hype and what my expectations had become.  Thankfully I was wrong, very wrong!

Yuma is a wonderful film in every aspect.  The acting is superb by all, from the major leads to the minor characters.  Scenery, score.  Everything blended perfectly.

Christian Bale was his usual study stuff.  He easily made me feel everything he felt.   His despair, his anguish, his hope. 

Russell was Russell at his very best.  Saying so much with just his eyes.  Flitting effortlessly between charming rouge and cold-blooded killer in a nanosecond. 

Ben Foster was wonderful, no doubt at all, but I don't see him as stealing the film from Russell or Christian.  They were the foundation that everyone else played off of.

I'm familiar with the original and I have to agree with the many critics who have said this version is superior.  They upped the action and better developed the lead characters without losing the tension of the psychological battle between Ben Wade and Dale Evans. 

If there's been any criticism of this film, it's been about the ending.  Well, I found the ending of the original to be unsatisfying.  I found this ending shocking--maybe because it was so different.  But at the same time, I found this ending more believable and left the theater totally satisfied. - Chats

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Hey, Murph! Saw you were asking people to give you their impressions if they saw the sneak peak. I thought maybe you'd be pleased to know the reaction of the theater here (and it was jam packed) was fantastic -- applause at the ending, even. And during the movie, everyone laughed out loud at the humor.

It seemed to us that every actor in the movie turned in a spectacular performance. Because the two leads were so strong in playing complicated, nuanced characters, the film was even more enjoyable to watch than the original, which we loved. -- Ann

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What can I say except that the movie is fantastic.  Russell Crowe is absolutely mesmerizing as the bad guy, Ben Wade.  He's so good that you end up rooting for him to succeed.   Christian Bale is fine as the "down on his luck" rancher, Dan Evans.  He and Russell play off each other's characters very well in this excellent movie.  There's also a fine supporting cast led by Ben Foster as Wade's henchman, Charlie Prince and Peter Fonda as a less than admirable bounty hunter.  The cinematography is marvelous.  There is almost non-stop action in every minute of this film.  So my advice is to make all restrooms visits before the movie starts, because you surely don't want to miss anything that's happening on the screen.  I was totally enthralled by this movie and hated to see it end.  King Russell clearly rules again;  he is the heart and soul of this tale of good guys, bad guys, and those in-between.  If you like westerns or if you admire fine acting or if you are a fan of both - don't miss "3:10 to Yuma." - Teresa

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Christian Bale plays Dan Evans, a down on his luck farmer, minus a leg thanks to the military and about to loose his farm thanks to the rail road.  He's been offered $200 to take outlaw Ben Wade to catch the 3:10 to Yuma train to be hung.

I haven't seen the original, but definitely plan to now.  I'm not going to reveal any spoilers.  I had to cover my ears at the theatre before the movie started as EVERYONE around me was talking about the original movie. 

I got to see a sneak preview at the AMC 20 Theatre in Oldsmar, FL.  The theatre was packed, not a seat left that I could see.  The majority of the crowd was over age 40, well probably closer to over age 50 but there was a sprinkling of younger aged people too, including myself (age 36) and nephew who is 15.

From the opening scene the whole theatre was hushed.  The attention to detail in this film was amazing.  From the costuming, buildings, landscape and sky.  In the beginning when Wade and his Gang are robbing the coach the camera focuses in on the wagon wheel and the sand is just kicking up, it made you feel like you were riding right along side it.  The whole movie had that feel.  Even flinched a few times myself!!

Kevin Durand (who played in Mystery Alaska with Russell, and was recently in Wild Hogs) had a good bit in this movie.  Kevin and Russell actually do a bit of singing in the movie.  Ben Foster as outlaw Charlie Prince was amazing too, he really has a great presence.  His character was 100% cutthroat killer.  Alan Tudyk (loved him in A Knights Tale and Firefly) played Doc Potter who had some very humorous dialogue. 

Christian Bale, his character Dan Evans has such a saddness in his eyes, you could really feel the pain he and his family are going through.  He just wants to make things right with his family.

Russell Crowe, I knew his performance was going to be nothing less than amazing and I wasn't disappointed.  His character as Ben Wade was so charming, clever, and bone chilling scary at times.  The dialoge in the film had alot of humor in it, lots of quick humor, in fact almost all the characters in this film have great dialogue with Ben Wade.  Ben's second best weapon is his charm.

My nephew loved the film too, since he is 15 years old and not into Russell Crowe, that's saying alot!!!   So if you love westerns, love action, and humor, this film delivers.  I'm so happy Russell made another western, I loved The Quick and the Dead, but this movie was 10 times better.  While Christian Bale and Ben Foster brought alot to the film, it would be nothing without Russell's presence.  Can't think of anyone who would have done a better job.  This movie better win big at award time, it deserves it! -- Icekrystal -- myspace.com/icekrystal70

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Overall, very good. Crowe is quite good.  Bale is completely believable and Ben Foster is downright psychotic. Solid performances overall.  Had quite a bit of sympathy for Bale's character.  Bale was a great choice for the role - another submersion into character.  Was always aware Crowe was Crowe.  That said, howver, Crowe is always delicious to watch.  Ben Foster, however, an actor I have never seen before, stole every scene. 

As far as the story goes, as usual in most movies, it's all about the men  Where were the women in the west?  Only two were portrayed here.  Definitely written by men.  Perhaps a follow-up will involve more women, especially Bales wife.  She evoked sympathy, too. 

The theatre was packed - quite surprising for a night flick on Sunday.

Always great to see Crowe on screen, and Bale - he is definitely in top form. - Renee

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Just got back from the 7:30 preview of 3:10 TO YUMA in New Jersey.  Completely sold out, folks hunting for single seats as the lights went down.  Looks like a lot of people were interested in seeing a good old-fashioned western!

And they didn't leave disappointed - 3:10 TO YUMA is an action-packed, beautifully shot, and impeccably acted movie!  But for all its action, it's also a fascinating psychological cat-and-mouse game between Ben Wade (Russell) and Dan Evans (Christian Bale).  Dan's a wounded veteran, a failing rancher, a man who's lost the respect of his son - and maybe even the love of his wife - and who is desperate to save not only his ranch and his family, but his self-respect. He's a very good man with some very bad luck.

Ben Wade's a sophisticated man, eloquent and cultured, with perfect, almost courtly, manners, and an air of supreme self-confidence.  And he's as badass as they come. 

Our first real introduction to Ben is a terrific tip-of-the-cowboy-hat to Russell's intro in GLADIATOR, and his performance here is every bit the equal of his Oscar-winning Maximus.  Ben Wade's a stone killer, as deadly with a dinner fork as with his gun ("The Hand of God"), but Russell finds the man inside the dime-novel monster.  It's very important that he do this, because otherwise, certain things Ben does as the movie progresses would strain suspension of disbelief to the breaking point.  And Russell succeeds beautifully, even bringing a few moments of real poignancy to light.

Oh, and he looks fantastic, too - there's just something about that man on a horse.  He's a force of nature with serious brainpower, and that's just dead sexy.

Christian Bale takes a role that could easily become borderline pathetic, and gives Dan great dignity and personality.  He's such a "good man," that he could become boring, but Christian shows us the anger inside Dan, and makes us believe that he and Ben could really approach an understanding about each other that nearly becomes friendship.  What a perfect foil - it's not easy holding your ground acting with Russell Crowe, and Christian hits the bullseye.

The supporting actors are equally as good, from Peter Fonda as the grizzled veteran of the manhunt (he and Russell have a great conversation on horseback), to Ben Foster as the psychotic second-in-command of Ben's gang, who seems just a wee bit too "devoted" to his boss - and a little too attached to the boss's hat.  I also enjoyed Alan Tudyk's performance as the standard-issue mild-mannered physician (with a twist!) dragged along as part of the posse. 

The audience applauded at the end - not enthusiastically, but, as Jimmy Braddock said, "This is Jersey."   Jerseyites only go nuts at Springsteen concerts.  I listened to conversations as we all filed out, and everyone I heard was very positive.  Some people even said it was better than the 1957 original. -- Donna (Crowe Crossing's MG)

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OK I was able to get to the Sneak peek today at 7pm at my local movie joint. All I have to say is YOU BETTER NOT MISS IT!! If your just in it for Russell you will not be disappointed. If your in it for a good western you will NOT be disappointed! This is one for the books it doesn't matter if it's a block buster or wins any awards it's hands down one of the best westerns I've seen in a LONG LONG time. I did not see the original Yuma so I can't compare the two, but if this wasn't a remake you would never know it. Also for those of you how were in Chicago a few years back, you will be very pleased to know that some of the old gang is in this movie. My favorite person in the whole world "sorry Russell" Lenny Loftin and my favorite Tree Kevin Durand join Russell and Christian for a brief time, but was well worth it to see them together again. I did get laughed at by those around me when I said "Russell just killed Tree" a little louder then I thought. LOL LOL!! As I started to get upset but this, it all of the sudden made me think of how much fun they must have had filming that scene so I got over it! Oh how I would have killed to be apart of this group. You know how once in a while you see a film and just get this overwhelming feeling that you'd would have given everything you had or will ever had just to have been in some shape or form a part of it? This is one of them from the cast to the script to the location. Go see it! Go enjoy it! Then go see it again. These two play off each other like we haven't seen in a long time. And I hope they team up again really soon. Thanks for a great time and for making going to the movies exciting again.
- Debbie Wajvoda

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Hello, Kelly here from Memphis, and I just got back from the sneak preview.  It is a great movie.  Everyone does a wonderful job, and Bale and Crowe play well off of each other.  As much as I love to watch Crowe as the hero, he does "bad" so wonderfully.  You know he's evil, but then he does this sly smile, and you cant help by smile too.  Again, awesome flick, and I'll definitely be seeing it a few more times. 

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Two words: Simply Awesome!!!  The Sneak Preview was completely packed in my downtown Minneapolis theatre with, I would guestimate, about 60% male, and I have not heard in a very long time such audience reaction in a theatre as I heard tonight.  Without giving away any spoilers, everyone was oohing and ahhing throughout the entire film, completely getting absorbed in all the characters' lives, and hollering out during the intense action scenes.  Isn't that what movies are all about?  Taking you on a journey, and hopefully taking you away from reality's problems for a few hours?  It is for me.  And when the movie finished, people had huge grins on their faces and I heard several raving about how "awesome" this "great film" was!  One guy a couple seats away from me whipped out his cell after the credits rolled and said, and I quote, "Russell Crowe was AWESOME!"  Smart dude! 

Russell was amazing.  Once again, he totally transformed into Ben Wade, and you completely forgot that that was Jim Braddock, Maximus, Russell up there!  He was sexy, confident, and did I already mention sexy?  Ooh-la-la!  While everyone did a fantastic job in the movie, I really felt that there is nobody else who could have played Ben Wade as well as Russell Crowe.  His acting, charm and charisma onscreen never ceases to amaze me, and once again he manages to transport you to another world.  Not to mention actually making you root (heh heh) for the bad guy!  Talk about acting!  Russell's jokes received loud laughter from the audience, and they actually gasped (right along with me) every time Ben was threatened to be hurt.  It was an incredibly fun thrill-ride, as well as a well-written, very-well-acted character study, and I cannot wait to see this movie again (and again) on Friday! 

All I can say is, Russell Crowe fans have the best taste in the world!  God bless escapsim!!  -glendagiggles 

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I got to go to the sneak preview at the Huntington Beach Bella Terra Mall in Orange County, California.

This was my second viewing, but at the premiere, it was WAY too hard to concentrate on watching the movie the way I normally watch a film, (read: forget I'm in a theatre and zen out into the story) so tonight's viewing on my ownsome (my husband couldn't attend due to work) was oh so PERFECT.

The place was PACKED.  Every seat filled, even the bad ones up front.  The ENTIRE audience was enthralled, it was SO cool to be in an audience that behaved and wrapped themselves into the show.  Everyone around me afterwards couldn't say one bad thing, indeed, they couldn't STOP saying GOOD THINGS.  The lady next to me who I had chatted with a bit while we waited for it to begin, leaned over as the credits began to roll and said, "You were right, this was excellent."  The dude next to me just kept on and on through all the credits about how incredible this one was compared to the original and the way he was talking, you could tell he was a fan of the original as well as a western fan.  He leaned forward for the entire end sequence, I took a quick peek and he was mesmerized. Hint:  Crowe fans, read the credits.  Hee hee.  It's a wee giggle, but worth it.

As for the movie itself, I don't want to give anything away, but I so enjoyed it this second time through, even knowing what was coming I still found myself laughing and gasping and heart racing throughout it all.  And I truly felt like everyone in the theatre was doing the same.  And for an audience in the mighty OC, that's saying something.
What also impressed me was the vast cross-section of people attending.  ALL walks of life were represented, it was VERY cool.  And I kept overhearing comments about how Russell Crowe does not make a bad film.  That made me grin all night.

I love the entire film, honest, but of course must pick the barmaid scene as my favourite.  It's intensely thudderific, however the follow-up scene is actually even moreso, I won't say why as it's a spoiler, IMHO.  Coming in a very close second to fave scene is the entire end sequence.  It's perfectly toned, perfectly paced and played out expertly.  Third favourite would have to be something that happens out in the desert at night, you'll know what I mean once you see it.

Ben Wade's comin' to town, ladies.  Tighten your corsets.  It's one helluva ride. - Darrin

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I got to see 3:10 to Yuma at a sneak preview tonight.  It's a very good movie.  Just a few plot problems for me that keep it from being great.  Also drags in a few spots.  Good solid western.  What made it best were the performances.  Especially those by Russell, Christian Bale, Ben Foster and Peter Fonda (it's amazing now that he has aged, how much he sounded like his father, Henry).

The screening was full in a large 70 mm screen theater.  Just a few front row seats open. 

The cinematography was beautiful in the stark New Mexico territory where it was filmed.  I went with a group of six and no one felt that the ending was completely believable.  We talked out the possibility in motivation behind what Ben Wade did and why, but felt that was a stretch.  The girls in the group were not at all happy with the other late development with Christian Bale's, Dan Evans.

The action was good.  The decision to focus on the journey from Bisbee to Contention worked well.  Enjoyable film.  Worth seeing again.  Solid B+ for me. -- Marie.

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The movie is fantastic, start to finish.  The movie has your attention the entire time, there is not a moment that you aren't just at the edge of your seat.  The plot is intense and the action is unbelievably realistic.  The characters are vivid and human.  Seeing the movie made me realize that I hadn't seen a really great movie since the last Russell Crowe movie.  You forget what a really good movie is until you see one again.  This movie is many cuts above most movies.  This movie is gonna be an instant classic.

Russell was just superb.  He could not have been better.  Maybe his best acting yet.  But how can that be?  Yet it seems to be so.

Christian Bale holds his own opposite Russell, as his opposite.  The two characters, although very different, are strongly drawn and equally matched in the movie, which really keeps your interest to the very end.  Ben Foster is so convincingly crazy/cruel that you wouldn't want to meet him in person!  Peter Fonda becomes a tough old fighter of many battles.  There are many smaller characters in the movie who are also very distinct and memorable.

I liked the script.  It's one of those where people of different histories are brought together by fate.  It made sense to me.

Sincerely, DeenaJo

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Russell:
There's not much to be said.  He gave his usual over-the-top, completely committed, totally-immersed-in-the-character performance.  Russell becomes the person, and all his actions and reactions are from the heart and soul of the character he is playing.   We've grown to expect nothing less from him, and can only admire the dedication and talent it takes to deliver this caliber of performance time and again.  In order to be Ben Wade, he had to display a humorous side, while also embodying a ferocious, nearly amoral man.  Ben Wade is a man who keeps his own counsel and has no loyalties.  Russell portrayed intelligence, artistry, shrewdness, and even gentleness so completely that Ben Wade was truly a multidimensional character who would have much to offer the world if he could stop being so cruel.

Christian Bale:
 After seeing American Psycho, The Prestige, Batman Begins, and Rescue Dawn, and now Yuma, I am very much a Christian Bale fan.  Christian, like Russell, portrays the heart and soul of his characters.  His facial expressions reflect the inner workings of the character, and he delivers his lines with believable simplicity and conviction.  His Dan Evans is a man with a strong moral center who has fallen on hard times but still is not bitter.  Christian Bale endows Dan with quiet integrity and strength.  He is so good at dialects that I was truly surprised when I heard his Welch accent when being interviewed by Charlie Rose.  Christian’s Dan Evans was every bit a match for Russell’s Ben Wade, and watching these two actors go head to head was a delight. 

Everybody else:
Young Logan Lerman was excellent as William Evans. Ben Johnson is every bit as good as the reviewers say he is.  I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of him.  I loved Peter Fonda as a grizzly old bounty hunter.    Kevin Durand was also great in a role that added some humor to the plot; and he and Russell even got in some singing time.  I was surprised to see our old friend Lennie Loftin, who gave an excellent performance.  As usual, the number of women in the movie was few --- there were excellent, albeit brief, performances by both Gretchen Moll and Vinessa Shaw.

The Movie:
For a moment I thought I was seeing Gladiator again when Dan is watching a bird that he had been sketching. There is also a nod to Master and Commander in the scene where a bullet was being removed from Peter Fonda without anesthesia. But 3:10 to Yuma is very much its own film. This is an old-fashioned western shoot-em-up with added character and plot development.  The dialog was well written, and the unfolding of the history and inner workings of Ben and Dan is both subtle and graceful, due in no small part to these talented actors. The scenery and cinematography put you right into the 19th century, as does the story itself.  What is portrayed here is a piece of American History.  The hard times due to weather or unfortunate circumstances, the lawlessness, the strength and determination to survive, and the stoic way people met tragedy head on were woven into the story-line, giving texture and a sense of being there.  Along with all that is the in-depth look at two opposite types of men: one who comes to respect the other, and one who re-earns his self-respect. It’s a wonderful character-driven western. I loved it.

Ellen in San Jose

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You will love 3:10 to Yuma!

Why?  Because there is nothing about this movie not to love!  The music is wonderfully subtle when it needs to be and dramatic when drama is called around the corner.  The scenery is so beautiful, it makes you want pack your bags and "go west young (wo)man".

The characters are so well introduced that you have no trouble figuring out who they are.  You will be entranced by "Charlie Prince" --- and you will absolutely love Kevin Durand.  He was getting quite a bit of attention along the red carpet at the Preview in L.A. -- I have absolutely no knowledge in the acting arena, but it would not surprise me at all if Kevin's performance in this film leads him on to bigger and better roles in upcoming films.

Lenny's role is understated, but he is well-suited to the part -- I almost gasped out loud when I recognized him.

I must tell you that the casting was wonderful -- from the veterinarian who found himself on the front line - to the young man who wasn't quite sure he believed in his father - to the railroad representative who figured out relatively quickly that he bit off more than he could chew -- to the bounty hunter who knew all along that they had roped a tiger with a very long tail.

Dan was exactly what he should have been -- a man about to lose his ranch - a man not secure in his wife's support - a man about to lose his entire family if he didn't find a miracle.  And then, when the miracle appeared right in front of him, he girded up his loins (as Ben would have said in a quote from the Bible) and joined the battle.  He finds that he can reach way down within himself and do the one thing which will get him the cash to secure his ranch, and to earn (back?) the respect he needs from his wife and his oldest son.

And then, there's Ben.  It's the Ben with the quick smile, the flirting eyes, the beautiful horsemanship and the velvet voice ( there IS a barmaid, after all), which we've all loved for years.  But there is also the Ben of the SAS (a la Terry Thorne), and the Captain Jack (a ship's commander)  who can adapt to a change of plans in an instant, the Ben of the Commander of the Roman Legions, and the Max who (eventually) loves the scenery around him.  The director could have searched the world over and not found a better Ben than the one he chose.

Perhaps others won't see the references I've made.  Perhaps only those of us who have seen his performances "several" times in each of his films -- no need to embarrass ourselves with defining "several" - will see the chameleon which hides within the skin of that great actor.  Russell often talks about how he has learned to ride a horse, or how to use a gun.  But does he know that both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marines have studied "Master & Commander"  as an outstanding example of how leadership works on a ship?  Or, in the field?  Or, in real life?  I would really like to interview him and ask him what he might have learned from the characters into which he has immersed himself.

And the character of Ben Wade is a prime example of Russell's immersion into a character.  You will love, hate and question the Ben Wades you will find in this film.   Before the film ends, perhaps you will have enough insight to figure out which Ben Wade is the "real Ben Wade".  I did not.  But then, I'm going to see it again this evening, and maybe I'll be able to figure it out then.

Carol 

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Saw it at a preview in Las Vegas Wed night..
absolutely awsome! Very unexpected ending! This will make a big star out of Foster and of course RC and CB deliver exceptional performances. Peter Fonda is terrific with his special gravely voice.  Can't wait to see it again. A real Western with some of the real deep complexities of human choices in life that have rarely been shown in the shoot-um-up format. Enjoy. I sure did. - Thanks, Tory

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It was like falling in love all over again.  Some stunning photography and an hilarious nod to Gladiator in Ben's opening scene. Enough references to Bisbee to make Lynne Bracken blush with pride.

Russell spends 85 per cent of the movie with a knowing grin on his face. Such a treat. I am not saying his performance is any less nuanced and mercurial than ever but there is something rather uplifting about seeing a character so comfortable with himself, albeit comfy with his own dastardly deeds.

What more could you ask for?  - a romantic squeeze with a smoldering entree and a deliciously funny 'green eyes' moment to boot.  Chases, shoot-outs, soul searches, flirtation, gun slinging. smoldering say there is something for everyone in this but it really does appeal on every level and offends on few.  I hate to spoil so I am being vague until others have seen it. Music is fabulous, direction faultless and the cast is to die for.  Even the closing titles brought a smile in some areas ;D

It will take all my self control (currently rated at zero) to stop me from going to another screening tomorrow. - Thanks, Sue

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More to come