Struggling rancher Dan Evans (Christian Bale) agrees to escort captured outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) to the Yuma train for trial. A battle of wits and the killer's pursuing gang get in the way of justice. "3:10 To Yuma" is a gritty, hard-edged, gun-slinging western in the grand tradition. James Mangold ("Walk The Line") directs this remake of the 1957 classic based on Elmore Leonard's short story. What makes this version work is the acting. Russell Crowe delivers a multi-layered performance that elicits sympathy for a supposedly vicious killer. The writers have made him an artist who stops to sketch wildlife and the female form, but Crowe is a gifted actor who could have garnered this sympathy without the artistic addition. Christian Bale is Crowe's equal as the proud, stubborn, slightly disabled Civil War vet who desperately needs to earn his family's respect. While the two stars dominate the scenery, some of the supporting players steal a few frames. Ben Foster is truly scary as psychopath Charlie Prince, the cold-blooded henchman determined to free his boss. Logan Lerman is perfectly cast as William Evans, who will do anything to keep his father alive. As the veterinarian finding enough courage to join the posse, Alan Tudyk grabs more screen attention this year (go see "Death At A Funeral"). Gretchen Mol adds some beauty as patient wife Alice Evans and Peter Fonda is Byron McElroy, who has made a career of hunting down Wade. This revisionist western comes close to capturing the feel of movies like "High Noon". But it is not perfect. The unrealistic ending nearly destroys the film. This is too bad, because the 1957 version got it right - a much better and logical conclusion. Notwithstanding, the new "3:10 To Yuma" is an excellent horse opera. Catch it before it leaves town.