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Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this Western stars Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, both of whom appeal to teens. A remake of the 1957 Glenn Ford film, the new version has upped the ante with plenty of shoot outs and bloodshed for 21st-century audiences. But the bloody scenes are counterbalanced by a lot of conversation between the outlaw and his captors. One of the characters is a slightly rebellious teenager who, for the most part, is ashamed of his father. There's one brief love scene, one bar scene, and some language ("f--k" used a couple of times, plus "s--t," "bastard," and more).
Families can talk about remakes. Why does Hollywood like to remake (or "re-imagine") old films? Do you think it's easier to do that than come up with a brand new story? Why or why not? Can you think of any remakes that ended up being better than the original? Families can also discuss the two main characters. Is Wade completely rotten? What makes him a "bad guy"? Is Dan a traditional Western "good guy"? Why do you think older Westerns had such clear lines between "good" and "bad"? How is this movie different? What messages does it send about honor and redemption?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Sandie Angulo Chen
Russell Crowe and Christian Bale are two of Hollywood's finest actors -- in the case of Crowe, some might argue the finest. So it's no surprise that in 3:10 TO YUMA, the two, decked out in American accents and period garb, create a captivating rapport between two very different men: refined, murderous outlaw Ben Wade (Crowe) and crippled, put-upon rancher Dan Evans (Bale).
After his gang holds up a railroad company's money coach, Wade is captured and told he's being taken to catch the 3:10 train to Yuma prison. But the five-man crew escorting Wade to the train knows that the outlaw's equal-opportunity posse -- which includes a Mexican sharpshooter, an Apache, and cold-blooded second in command Charlie Prince (Ben Foster) -- is sure to follow. If Wade's loyal killers get to him before the train, they'll shoot down anyone who stands in their way.
As Dan, Bale is gaunt and hollow-faced. Despite his Civil War-injured leg, he agrees to be part of the crew for the price of $200. He needs the money to salvage his dying farm, mend his broken marriage, and -- for once -- earn some respect from his teenage son (Logan Lerman). The more Wade talks to Dan, the more the odd couple strikes up a strange camaraderie.
All of the supporting players -- from an almost unrecognizable Peter Fonda as the haggard bounty hunter leading the way to the train station to Foster's stylized take on a wild-eyed murderer -- are remarkable. Even 15-year-old Lerman holds his own with Bale and Crowe. Like all Westerns, this is a testosterone-driven film, but the psychological tug-of-war between the two leads provides an emotional counterpoint to all the bloodshed.
Director James Mangold (Walk the Line) thrives on characters who are neither purely sinner nor saint, and in this remake of the original 1957 Glenn Ford film, he's revitalized a dying genre with the idea that even bad men in black hats can redeem themselves.
Families who like Westerns can check out the original 3:10 to Yuma and the more recent Dances With Wolves and Unforgiven.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentWade flirts with Alice. Wade kisses a waitress, and they go up to her room. In the following scene, her nude backside is shown on the bed. She and Wade kiss again. Dan and Alice briefly kiss and hug. |
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ViolenceDozens and dozens of men get shot dead -- at both close and long range. There's a close-up of a bloody bullet extraction. Men are stabbed, thrown off a cliff, burned, strangled, pounded with a shovel, and even shocked. Except for the bullet removal, nothing is gory, but there's obviously a great deal of violence. |
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LanguageA couple of "f--k"s, as well as uses of "bastard," "son of a bitch," "ass" (with and without "hole")," "s--t," "hell," and "damn" (with and without "god"). |
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Social BehaviorDan wants to do the honorable thing, even if it means risking his life. Wade, meanwhile, takes responsibility for -- and never lies about -- his outlaw ways. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoWade's gang drinks shots of whiskey at a bar. |
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