Worth the wait

Rating: 7/10 (9 April 2004)

I've been waiting since fall for this movie to come out. Since it was delayed from its Christmas Day release, I've been waiting for this movie to come out. Now that it is out, I can tell you that it was worth the wait. This is a very well done film based on the siege of the Alamo in 1836. It is amazing that they didn't film it at the real Alamo because the recreation is terrific. This version is different from the 1960 John Wayne version which was long and long winded. This movie does not give in to too many speeches about republic. Of the cast, Billy Bob Thornton is excellent as Davy Crockett. His Davy Crockett is seen as a three dimensional character that is not entirely heroic. Davy Crockett has trouble with his own legend and trying to live up to that legend, even if it costs him his life. Jim Bowie and William Travis are also treated as relatively unheroic people who are slave owners and are looking for a new life in Texas. Santa Anna is also treated as not just a dictator, but a nationalist who does not want to lose Texas to the Americans. The film is a bit long, but it deserves a 7/10.