Jon Monsarrat review: confusing, lackluster

Rating: 6/10 (25 April 2004)

I felt about The Alamo the same way I did about The Perfect Storm, where a bunch of fools deliberately tackle a storm and get killed. Then the fools get a movie praising their bravery. Apparently, the battle at The Alamo was pointless, driven by pride. They should have fled.
But maybe not. I found the film difficult to follow, unlike the sensational historical dramas, Thirteen Days and Braveheart. What were they fighting for? Was Texas an independent country before, after? Was something at stake? Why would they leave Texas undefended? Why would the only major fort in the area be a poorly built one? I went into the film wondering why The Alamo was important to history, and I left the same way. My best guess is that it underscored the cruelty of the Mexican army. Thus the battle cry, "Remember the Alamo", i.e. remember the cruelty.
I always feel a film that's true to life is worth watching, even if it's not so good (Pearl Harbor), but something about the acting or storyline seemed unrealistic and lacked drama to me. Maybe it's Dennis Quaid; I always seem to dislike his films.
Who should see this film:
-- History buffs, but don't expect high drama
-- Texans & Mexicans
-- Pioneers with a coonskin cap who can kill a bear bare-handed
I'll give this film a 6 out of 10, but hey, I'm a Yankee, what the hell do I know (wink).