James Mangold’s 2007 remake of 3:10 to Yuma arrives on 4k UHD Blu-ray from Lionsgate in a stunning transfer with improved video and a new immersive DTS-X soundtrack.
The Production: 4/5
I am not a big fan of remakes, especially those of classic films that bring nothing new to the story or concept. James Mangold’s 3:10 to Yuma is the opposite of that, even though it follows many of the familiar elements of the westerns of the 1950s and 1960s. Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) and his gang have been robbing “armored” stagecoaches escorted by the Pinkertons that have been transporting the railroad’s payroll. When Wade is finally captured, he is escorted to the town of Contention to place him on the 3:10 train bound for Yuma Federal Prison by railroad executive Grayson Butterfield (Dallas Roberts) and enlists the aid of Pinkerton agent Byron McElroy (Peter Fonda), Doc Potter (Alan Tudyk), and rancher and Civil War veteran Dan Evans (Christian Bale), who volunteers in hopes of saving his ranch from foreclosure and being sold to the railroad but also to prove to his sons that he isn’t a coward. Hot on their trail is Wade’s gang, lead by Charlie Prince (Ben Foster), who will go to any length to free his captain.
Based on a short story by Elmore Leonard, the screenplay by Michael Brandt and Derek Haas borrows heavily from the script of the 1957 original by Halsted Welles (who was given a writing credit for the remake) in basic structure and themes, then builds upon that. Wade isn’t necessarily the villain of the piece, but a gangster who has become bored with robbing stagecoaches, and Crowe’s performance exemplifies that. The film also explores Evans as a disgraced war veteran, possibly suffering from PTSD, returning home a changed man that his wife and kids don’t recognize. Director Mangold keeps the film moving at a brisk pace, but never allows the action sequences to overshadow the character drama. 3:10 to Yuma is possibly one of the best westerns in the last 20 years.
Video: 4.5/5
3D Rating: NA
3:10 to Yuma was one of the early Lionsgate releases on the then-new high definition Blu-ray format in 2007. That original disc is included in this set, and while it may have been praised by many for its transfer back in 2007, a lot has changed in the art of compression and mastering in ten years, and I found the movie almost unwatchable on that 2007 Blu-ray with frequent use of noticeable edge enhancement and noise reduction. The good news is that Lionsgate’s 2160p transfer with HDR (derived from a 2k digital intermediate) excels where that older 1080p falters. Fine detail is improved slightly, providing more noticeable beard stubble on the actors, grains of sand in the desert, and textures in the fabrics of the costumes. Shadow detail is improved upon significantly, with much deeper blacks that don’t crush. Colors appear much warmer and natural in 4k than on the 1080p Blu-ray, and contrast is more refined while the Blu-ray was a bit blown out in some sequences.
Audio: 5/5
3:10 to Yuma receives an upgrade from 7.1 LPCM on the original Blu-ray to a more immersive DTS-X mix. LFE is more refined but never too boomy. Gunshots, wind, fire, stampeding cattle are spread across the entire soundstage, coming at you from all directions. Dialogue is clear and understandable throughout, never overpowered by music or effects.
Special Features: 4/5
As with most of Lionsgate’s recent UHD releases, all of the special features can be accessed on the UHD disc as well as the included 1080p Blu-ray.
Audio Commentary with Director James Mangold
Destination: Yuma (1080p; 20:58)
Outlaws, Gangs, and Posses (1080p; 12:58)
An Epic Explored (1080p; 6:22)
3:10 to Score (1080p; 8:38)
From Sea to Shining Sea (1080p; 19:39)
A Conversation with Elmore Leonard (1080p; 5:24)
The Guns of Yuma (1080p; 6:17)
Deleted Scenes (1080p; 7:55)
Digital HD Copy:Â An insert contains a code to redeem a digital copy through Ultraviolet partners.
Overall: 4.5/5
Lionsgate continues to release great 4k UHD Blu-rays of its back catalog, and 3:10 to Yuma is no exception.
Todd Erwin has been a reviewer at Home Theater Forum since 2008. His love of movies began as a young child, first showing Super 8 movies in his backyard during the summer to friends and neighbors at age 10. He also received his first movie camera that year, a hand-crank Wollensak 8mm with three fixed lenses. In 1980, he graduated to "talkies" with his award-winning short The Ape-Man, followed by the cult favorite The Adventures of Terrific Man two years later. Other films include Myth or Fact: The Talbert Terror and Warren's Revenge (which is currently being restored). In addition to movie reviews, Todd has written many articles for Home Theater Forum centering mostly on streaming as well as an occasional hardware review, is the host of his own video podcast Streaming News & Views on YouTube and is a frequent guest on the Home Theater United podcast.
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