Two new movies opened over the weekend that I would dare say offered the perfect close to all the summer fun (or lack there of. Fuck you Rush Hour 3). The remake of 3:10 To Yuma and the action/comedy Shoot ‘Em Up are some of the best movies that 2007 has to offer. Both films will be appearing in my Top Ten list of 2007, and both for very good reasons.
3:10 To Yuma is the story of Dan Evans (another impressive role for Christian Bale), a man who is both spiritually and physically broken (his foot was blown off in the Civil War). He is a simple rancher who is being forced off of his land to make way for the rail road. After his barn burns down, he and his son’s venture out to round up all of his cattle. It is at this time that Evans happens upon a stage coach robbery perpetrated by Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) and his gang, which also includes Charlie Prince (the always good Ben Foster). Wade lets Evans and his sons go free despite witnessing the slaughter of everyone aboard the stagecoach. So Wade and his gang make their way to town, where Wade is captured. A volunteer group is formed, including Evans, to escort Wade to the 3:10 to Yuma Prison train, which leaves in two days time. Evans volunteers because, as he puts it, “I’m tired of the way my sons look at me and I am tired of the way that you don’t.” It is on this trek that Evans and Wade form an almost unspoken understanding of one another. Wade comes to almost admire what drives Evans to do what he does. He wants nothing more than respect and admiration from his family, and the money he was offered to escort Wade.
The performances in this western are what the movie. Russell Crowe seems to walk through the movie effortlessly, and regardless of being a cold blooded killer, you come to like the man immensely. Christian Bale takes on another punishing physical role in this movie, and adds another film to his resume that will become a classic later on down the line. Not to mention after portraying Bruce Wayne/Batman, Bale seems to have such a presence on screen. Regardless of who shares the scene with him, it is Bale that commands our attention. It is what makes him one of the best actors working today.
Everyone keeps calling 3:10 To Yuma the best western since Unforgiven. I dare say that this movie is the best western since The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
Then we come to a different monster all together. Shoot ‘Em Up is an amalgam of every awesome action sequence you have ever seen in your life. It is as if director/writer Michael Davis turned the final 30 minutes of Hard Boiled into a full fledged action movie with guns, carrots, and a newborn baby.
The plot? Does it really matter? It is Clive Owen as “Mr. Smith” shooting his way through dozens of henchmen. He makes John McClane look like Eugene Levy from The Man. “Mr. Smith” lives in a world where every surface is slick enough to slide on, the good guys never miss and one liners are used like a bodily function. The fun of the movie lies in its absurdity. There are so many times where you sit there watching the film going, “Yeah right,” but it is done with a smile every single time. This is how every action movie needs to be. Unlimited ammo, a rock soundtrack (including Motley Crue, Motorhead and AC/DC) and a wise-cracking hero that would make Ash (Army of Darkness) proud.
This could potentially be the next big action franchise, and after this first entry, it could also be the next big sleeper hit of the year. Definitely one of the most fun movies to watch this year.
3:10 To Yuma is the story of Dan Evans (another impressive role for Christian Bale), a man who is both spiritually and physically broken (his foot was blown off in the Civil War). He is a simple rancher who is being forced off of his land to make way for the rail road. After his barn burns down, he and his son’s venture out to round up all of his cattle. It is at this time that Evans happens upon a stage coach robbery perpetrated by Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) and his gang, which also includes Charlie Prince (the always good Ben Foster). Wade lets Evans and his sons go free despite witnessing the slaughter of everyone aboard the stagecoach. So Wade and his gang make their way to town, where Wade is captured. A volunteer group is formed, including Evans, to escort Wade to the 3:10 to Yuma Prison train, which leaves in two days time. Evans volunteers because, as he puts it, “I’m tired of the way my sons look at me and I am tired of the way that you don’t.” It is on this trek that Evans and Wade form an almost unspoken understanding of one another. Wade comes to almost admire what drives Evans to do what he does. He wants nothing more than respect and admiration from his family, and the money he was offered to escort Wade.The performances in this western are what the movie. Russell Crowe seems to walk through the movie effortlessly, and regardless of being a cold blooded killer, you come to like the man immensely. Christian Bale takes on another punishing physical role in this movie, and adds another film to his resume that will become a classic later on down the line. Not to mention after portraying Bruce Wayne/Batman, Bale seems to have such a presence on screen. Regardless of who shares the scene with him, it is Bale that commands our attention. It is what makes him one of the best actors working today.
Everyone keeps calling 3:10 To Yuma the best western since Unforgiven. I dare say that this movie is the best western since The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
Then we come to a different monster all together. Shoot ‘Em Up is an amalgam of every awesome action sequence you have ever seen in your life. It is as if director/writer Michael Davis turned the final 30 minutes of Hard Boiled into a full fledged action movie with guns, carrots, and a newborn baby.The plot? Does it really matter? It is Clive Owen as “Mr. Smith” shooting his way through dozens of henchmen. He makes John McClane look like Eugene Levy from The Man. “Mr. Smith” lives in a world where every surface is slick enough to slide on, the good guys never miss and one liners are used like a bodily function. The fun of the movie lies in its absurdity. There are so many times where you sit there watching the film going, “Yeah right,” but it is done with a smile every single time. This is how every action movie needs to be. Unlimited ammo, a rock soundtrack (including Motley Crue, Motorhead and AC/DC) and a wise-cracking hero that would make Ash (Army of Darkness) proud.
This could potentially be the next big action franchise, and after this first entry, it could also be the next big sleeper hit of the year. Definitely one of the most fun movies to watch this year.
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