Western revival

In this age of superheroes and super budgets, the Hollywood Western has been nearly abandoned, with only two fearless gunmen left in an empty ghost town. And yes, these desperados do have names: Russell Crowe (A Good Year) and Christian Bale (I'm Not There).

Bale stars as Dan Evans, a humble rancher with two kids, a wife, and too much debt. When the family man inadvertently intervenes with Wade and aides in his capture, he sees a financial opportunity in helping bring the prisoner to a town called Contention, to shackle up in the 3:10 to Yuma prison. Unfortunately, he must contend with Wade's gang members, riding hard to rescue their leader.

The film is in no way original. This version is based on director Delmer Daves 1957 Western of the same name, which is based on a short story by writer Elmore Leonard.

Yet despite the apparent redundancy in plot, this new age Western blazes a path of its own, substituting a once-safe, strictly good vs. evil story with a much more complex analysis of two flawed men.

Deciding who ultimately wins the shoot off, in terms of acting chops, is an impossible feat. Bale's is a seemingly straightforward character and a good man. However, every day Dan fears losing his land, losing his house, and eventually losing his family.

His gaunt face and sharp cheekbones only further accent the beautiful portrayal of desperation Bale paints during Dan's explanation to his wife (Gretchen Mol, The Ten) on why he must take Wade to the station.

This is raw acting at its finest, and although it will most definitely go overlooked come time for awards, Dan Evans is a hero the audience roots for, and a father the audience prays for.

But let's not forget Mr. Crowe. The man has made a career out of intensity. Everything about him-from his careless stare to the bump in between his eyebrows-paints the perfect picture of an outlaw on the jagged edge, yet with an immense amount of devilish charm he can't help but show off.

Just when it seems that this outlaw really might be all bad, as he claims, there is a flicker of good-if only for a second.

Supporting Crowe and Bale is Logan Lerman (The Number 23), who delivers a very convincing performance as Evans' fourteen-year-old son William, determined to prove his manhood. Along with Lerman's impressive supporting turn is Ben Foster's Charlie Prince, the right hand man to Wade.

Foster is making a career out of playing crazed criminals-from his disturbing teenage murderer Mars, in Hostage, to the drugged out Jake in Alpha Dog earlier this year. Charlie is the perfection of Mars and Jake: a cold-blooded killer with an obsessive loyalty to his boss.

And while all those expected to bring the goods don't let down, it is director Mangold who emerges as the most improved player. After directing the Johnny Cash biopic Walk The Line with absolutely no creative input, nearly making the Man in Black's eventful life seem boring, all bets were off on this Western remake.

But the director has regained his filmmaking passion, shooting the film close and uncomfortable. Viewers can practically comb Evans' dirty, greasy hair, or scratch Wade's rough, yet handsome, beard stubble. Charlie's yellow, rotting teeth jump out onto the screen, behind him a town full of poor working men and their rich, corrupt authorities.

This is the Old West that filmgoers remember, with a taste of new age style. The horses ride through the camera, rumbling past at breakneck speed, their riders thirsting for blood. There is blood, and it's by the buckets. Every gunshot snaps wood and splits flesh, giving us a taste of how the West once was won.