Serious, non-Hollywoodian account of "The Alamo" deserves praise for its maturity and depth.

Rating: 9/10 (18 May 2008)

The critical savaging of The Alamo epic was grossly unfair and perhaps an indication of the immaturity and short attention span of today's movie critics and audiences.
I didn't mind the long build-up to the excellent battle sequences because it added depth and background to the Alamo story which was largely missing in the 1960 version. Quaid was powerful as Sam Houston, Thornton was likable in a tender characterization of David (Davey)Crockett and Jason Patric's Jim Bowie was hard as his steel knife. Patrick Wilson did his best as Colonel Travis -I don't know how old the real Colonel Travis was in 1836 or what his personality was like- but the role would've been better suited to an older actor.
The Alamo's long, detail and character-driven prelude was a risky decision by the director, but pays off with repeat viewings of the film. A director's cut would be even better.