‘Yuma’ remake honors original

Movie remakes are usually a shadow of the original. But the gritty western “3:10 to Yuma” (Lionsgate, $30), arriving today on DVD, is an exception to that rule.

Based on an early story by Elmore Leonard, the sagebrush drama was beautifully adapted for film in 1957 with Van Heflin as a cattle rancher who agrees to escort a notorious gunman (Glenn Ford) to Yuma so the bandit can be put on a prison train.

The new version -- directed by James Mangold (“Walk the Line”), a longtime admirer of the original -- is respectful to the 1957 film but makes it more palatable for contemporary audiences. Christian Bale takes on the Heflin role of Dan Evans, a crippled Civil War vet with a family who volunteers to join a party of men taking the infamous Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) to Yuma. This telling beefs up Evans’ relationship to his wife (Gretchen Moll) and two sons -- his eldest boy (Logan Lerman) sees Wade as almost a hero -- and explores how a bond between Evans and Wade develops during the treacherous journey.

The cast is nominated for a best screen ensemble Screen Actors Guild Award. Included on the DVD are deleted scenes; a lengthy, well-produced behind-the-scenes documentary; a discussion with historians about “Outlaws, Gangs and Posses”; and engrossing, passionate commentary from Mangold.

Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland collaborated on one of the best zombie films of recent years, “28 Days Later,” and now they’ve put their unique stamp on the sci-fi thriller “Sunshine” (Fox, $30). Though the film unravels in the final reels, there’s plenty of suspense to keep fans of the genre interested.

Halfway through the 21st century, the sun has begun to die, so a spaceship armed with a nuclear device is launched to jump-start the sun. But after it disappears, a second one is sent to complete the job. The film’s action starts 16 months into the second ship’s journey. Among the members of the crew are Cillian Murphy, Benedict Wong, Troy Garity, Cliff Curtis and Rose Byrne. Extras include alternate and deleted scenes, sterling audio commentary from Boyle and an informative commentary track from the film’s technical advisor, Brian Cox.

Also new

“Zodiac -- The Director’s Cut” (Paramount, $35): David Fincher’s analytical examination of the Zodiac serial killer, which met with tepid box office response, has been making critics’ Top 10 lists. So the release today of this superlative two-disc set is serendipitous. Extras include a gripping new feature-length documentary, “This Is the Zodiac Speaking,” which covers every aspect of the investigation, complete with news footage from the era and new interviews with police and investigators; the fascinating documentary “His Name Was Arthur Leigh Allen,” a look at the prime suspect in the case; the documentary “Zodiac Deciphered,” a look at the subtle visual effects in the film; riveting commentary from Fincher and an even better audio track with stars Jake Gyllenhall and Robert Downey Jr., screenwriter and producer James Vanderbilt and producer Brad Fischer.

“Joshua” (Fox, $28): Creepy, well-crafted thriller from co-writer and director George Ratliff about the disintegration of a family at the hands of their disturbed 9-year-old son (Jacob Kogan). Sam Rockwell and Vera Farmiga star. Extras include interviews with Kogan and Rockwell, and solid commentary from Ratliff, a documentarian making his feature debut, and co-writer David Gilbert.

“Death Sentence” (Fox, $30): Kevin Bacon goes all “Death Wish” in this bloodthirsty, often unintentionally funny tale of revenge. Bacon plays a happily married father of two teenage sons who takes matters into his own hands when his son is murdered by a gang member. Kelly Preston and John Goodman also star. Extras include by-the-numbers production featurettes.

“Eagle vs. Shark” (Miramax, $30): Jemaine Clement of the New Zealand comedy singing team Flight of the Conchords and their eponymous HBO comedy series, stars with Loren Horsley in this offbeat Kiwi comedy about two social misfits who fall in love. Written and directed by Taika Waititi. Included on the disc is a music video from the New Zealand group the Phoenix Foundation, who supply the music for the film, and commentary from Waititi and Horsley.

“Smiley Face” (First Look, $27): Anna Faris plays a struggling actress/pothead who has a bad day after she eats a whole plate of her roommate’s marijuana-infused cupcakes in this snooze of a comedy from director Gregg Araki. Included is a production featurette.

“The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter” (Warner, $20): Alan Arkin received a best actor Oscar nomination for his poignant performance as a deaf mute in this 1968 adaptation of the Carson McCullers novel. Sondra Locke, who made her debut in this classic, also received an Academy Award nomination as a lonely teenage girl who befriends Arkin. Robert Ellis Miller directed.

“The Riches -- Season 1” (Fox, $50): Minnie Driver earned an Emmy nomination and is vying for a Golden Globe Award for her performance in this FX series about a family of Irish gypsy Travelers who take on the identity of a respectable family. Eddie Izzard also stars. The boxed set includes a fun gag reel, a look at the inception of the series and pithy commentary from Izzard and creator Dimitry Lipkin.

“Animal Planet: Growing Up Arctic” (Genius, $15): Four episodes from the too-cute-for-words Animal Planet series that profile a baby walrus, seal, polar bear and penguin.

And

“The Golden Door” (Miramax, $30); “Dragon Wars: D War” (Sony, $29); “White Noise 2” (Universal, $30); “The Naked Brothers Band Season 1” (Paramount, $27).

susan.king@latimes.com