3:10 to Yuma – 4K UHD Blu-Ray Movie Review

Dan Evans (Bale) is a down on his luck rancher who sees an opportunity to make some much needed cash in order to save the farm. He agrees to join a small group of lawmen to escort the infamous outlaw, Ben Wade, to the town of Contention. Once they arrive, they will place Wade on the 3:10 train to the prison in Yuma. But like all good Westerns, things don’t always go as planned.

A re-make of the Gary Cooper film from 1957, this updated version adds some true grit and some interesting psychological insights into human nature. Evans has character and determination to see a job through, even if it costs his life. Wade is mean, but is he truly evil? Well, that is not so clear. Each man warily learns to respect the other and even admire some of the other guy’s qualities. Unfortunately, their destinies will intersect at the train station and both men will have their lives irrevocably changed forever by the events that unfold.

The action in this film is good enough to keep your attention. The acting is outstanding with both Crowe and Bale stealing the spotlight from each other. The supporting cast (including Peter Fonda) really helps propel the story, too. This re-make reminded me of some of the later John Wayne Westerns, where he was older, more world worn and grizzled.

The only fault I could find with the storyline is, well, why not just shoot Wade in the back and be done with it? Would have save several lives. Then again, no one would collect a reward if they took the obvious way out, right? If you like a good Western movie, this is one of the best to come out of Hollywood in the last decade. Recommended!

The picture quality is an uptick in sharpness compared to the BD copy, even though it used a 2K DI. It also is brighter overall, perhaps due to the HDR. Colors are more solid and the flesh tones are more sun burnt and natural looking. The HDR makes the glint of the sun on six-shooters more intense and the shadow details are well delineated and never murky. The sound is very dynamic and the dialog is very clear. The sound of echoes and rock slides are object based and sound convincing. The musical score enhances the film as well. If you own the BD, and really like the movie, the UHD copy is the best this movie is going to look like for now.

There are a train load of extras: Trailers, deleted scenes, Guns of Yuma, An Epic Explored, Conversation with Elmore Leonard, the Score, From Sea to Shining Sea, Outlaws, Gangs and Posses, Inside Yuma, a Historical Timeline of the West and audio commentaries. A BD copy is included.