Maybe I'm Getting Old, But I Enjoyed This

Rating: 9/10 (24 April 2004)

I cannot understand why this movie is being panned and rated down. The acting is so well done without being overdone (as is the case in so many movies these days). Billy Bob Thornton as David Crockett was phenomenal. He portrayed Crockett just as I imagined the man probably was, a somewhat unwilling legend who is not really where he wants to be but who nonetheless does what he can to help a bad situation. His story about a battle with Creek Indians that he participated in as a youth is riveting.

Santa Ana is a true despot, in love with himself and his glory, even considering his own soldiers chickens to be slaughtered. The Texians were portrayed as very human: selfish, greedy, violent, but capable of great heroism and sacrifice. The Mexicans were appropriately shown as brave capable soldiers, on both sides of the battle. I feared there might be political revisionism at work, but overall I think the attitudes and words of the participants were probably pretty accurate reflections of the times. I never had any illusions that the Texians were saints.

As promised, the set is outstanding. The battle scenes are very realistic. Gunfire is heard less sporadically than you would expect in a modern battle because it took so long to load for one shot. It takes a while for the plot to get to the battle, but the tension builds quite well. The pacing was very effective as the doomed men in the Alamo slowly came to realize there would be no escape. The director did a good job of drawing me into understanding that feeling of hopelessness.
I guess people don't go to see movies unless they contain exploding helicopters, massive CG created armies in battle and funny characters who do things that are not believable. It's too bad people can't watch two hours of well acted staging of a historical event that includes some good dialogue. I guess today's movie goers have an attention span for conversation of about 30 seconds.
The one negative was the ending which crammed the month long retreat of Sam Houston and his eventual victory at San Jacinto into about 20 minutes. It was somewhat anti-climactic after what happened at the Alamo. I know that needed to be shown because it is also part of the story, but it just seemed a little out of synch after the breath taking drama in San Antonio.
I recommend this movie to all.