"3:10 to Yuma" - C+

New to DVD this week is last year's western, "3:10 to Yuma" — a remake of a 1957 movie of the same title, which is based on a story by the one and only Elmore Leonard.

I like Leonard's work, and some of his stories have made great movies, and I haven't seen the original "3:10," which I suspect is a much stronger production. While I did enjoy seeing how this one's internal conflicts about honesty and being a man bubbled to the surface, there is still much left to be desired.

Nevertheless, here's my take on this tale.

Shoot from the hip: Dan Evans (Christian Bale) is a poor cattleman struggling to keep his little ranch and his family together. But when the Evans family unknowingly crosses paths with legendary criminal, Ben Wade (Russell Crowe), everything changes.

Dan Evans is financially compelled to join a small band escorting Wade to the 3:10 train leaving for Yuma and the territory's prison. Completing the mission will mean everything (one way or the other) for both Evans and Wade, but will either be able to keep their forced commitments?

Taking the high road: Crowe's "Ben Wade" is the stereotype of western baddies from all the worst examples. He's this erudite murderer, unrivaled gunslinger and ravaging romantic with Bible quotes for every occasion and the ability to freehand sketch still-life images at the drop of a hat. It's just way too much.

On the flip side, Bale's "Dan Evans" performance is deftly executed as a nearly crippled war "veteran" losing his grip on all that he holds dear. Such a believable delivery really shines in an otherwise lackluster movie.

Even with the overall sluggish first half and some patchy performances from supporters, a great ending awaits. It gives me such mixed feelings about the picture as a whole; save for the last 30 minutes or so, this is a weak one.

As I said, stick it out and get to that big punchline. The closing sequences are nearly worthy to post up against some of the better western of long ago. No, it's as good as my two all-time favorite films (click here and here). But it's pretty darn entertaining . . . one might even say exciting and, at times, interesting.

There are so many promising things all jumbled up in this modern-day oat opera. There could have been a lot more done with those shining elements, but unfortunately this title is no real barn burner.

Special recommendation: I'm not saying you should completely skip the new "3:10," but I do have an alternative that covers much of the same territory in a much better manner.

If you're looking for drama with some good gun play, check out 1962's "Ride the High Country" with Randolph Scott and Joel McCrea. Director Sam Peckinpah brought these two screen legends together to produce a classic tale of what it means to be a hero and tame the wilder side of the frontier.

And you're in luck! "Ride the High Country" was reissued on DVD toward the end of last year, so it should be pretty easy to find. All the same morals and similar conflicts as "3:10," but delivered in a much more pleasing manner. (It's easily an A- on my scale)

Grade: C+ (of the highest grade possible ... again, the last 30 minutes is the true saving grace here)