***MAJOR SPOILERS*** Crowe and the kid saw parts of themselves in one another, Bale wanted to please his son, or rather, have him look up to him--and maybe, just maybe--Crowe didn't want the kid to grow up as him--without a good or honorable memory of his father, also at the same time again, emphasizing with Bale too. Remember how Crowe said his dad died over a shot of whiskey, and his mom left after giving him the bible? Maybe this, and his father's legacy, was pivotal in his development as a "ruthless" gunslinger? I think the movie also presented a 'duality of man' theme that maybe sometimes depended on which side of the law and/or land situations these characters were in. Remember the man shot in the beginning who later had been found out to have "killed" the Navajo children, or Bale himself had shot many in the war. This also illustrates this 'duality' and shows that yes, we are all different, but not maybe all that far off. Crowe was so thwarted and angered by his attempt to do 'good' that he shot his gang. He fully realized the boy's, and the boy's father's dream by getting on the train and finally whistling for his horse. Thus, signifying the futility of it, as a manipulation, or false pride being a guide or reinforcement, while at the same time serving as the dream of this young boy. Crowe knows he will escape again, and this is the irony and tragedy of it.

This is the best western since Unforgiven. Every aspect of this film is great.

The acting was superb. Russell Crowe continues to give great and much overlooked performances. He delivers a great performance as outlaw Ben Wade. Crowe just keeps on putting me in shock with his spectacular performances. Crowe brought a mystique to his role that would of fit in with the old westerns. He seems as if he play anything and was a joy to watch here. He needs to be given much more and was definitely worthy of an Oscar nomination. Christain Bale also gives as a surprise to me a great performance as Dan Evans. He is on the verge of losing everything he's got. Bale displays his desperation and his willingness to feel that he has a purpose in life. He is definitely turning into a very good all around actor. I think he also deserved an Oscar nomination. Peter Fonda and Ben Foster also give very solid performances in their supporting roles.

I have heard some people say that this western was to talky but I don't believe so. I think this was filled with great dialog and was engaging for the length of the movie.

The directing by James Mangold was probably the best I have seen from him. He was able to bring back the old western style but yet mix it together with a modern effects and etc. He did not fall into the trap of making it boring or to violent. He carried the movie all the way through keeping the viewer entertained. The cinematography was amazing. The sceneries were spectacular and many of the shooting scenes were delivered with such excellence with the acting, directing but the cinematography brought those scenes and this movie to another level. The music was great as well. It did not become cliché but instead made you feel like you were back watching Clint Eastwood, Gary Cooper or John Wayne. It just captured me like no other western has in a while.

This movie is truly a modern classic.