Western Resurrection

Many say the western is dead. They do have a point, since good western films these days are few and far between. But "3:10 to Yuma" helps me remember how much I love a good western movie experience. It has always been a genre where I can sit down and genuinely feel that every character is in danger. Western films are not afraid to put all the characters in peril, and yes, sometimes the bad guys win.

Maybe that's what makes the genre so exciting, and at the same time, maybe that's why some people don't like it. People want a happy ending, and westerns don't always deliver.

"3:10 to Yuma" is a well crafted film, with a solid balance character development, suspense, and good ol' gun fights. There's even a stagecoach chase. Classic.

Christian Bale and Russell Crowe are both excellent in their roles, of course I can't really think of a movie where they didn't act well. Even clunkers like "Reign of Fire" were made slightly tolerable because of Bale's performance. But the real show stealer I felt was Ben Foster. No western film is complete without a wacko bandit running around shooting everything he sees...and enjoying it.

So is the western dead? Since westerns were popping out of the oven in great supply years ago, maybe people think it has overstayed its welcome. I feel that the western may not be nearly as influential in the movie industry as it once was, but that's not to say it's gone the way of the dodo.

Perhaps if these westerns only came about every so often. It seems to have worked out rather well so far. After all, I don't mind having a good western once in a while. Maybe it makes the genre more exciting to see. The less there are, the more entertaining they are when they arrive at the box office.

So here's to waiting for the next great western.

DM