Forget the Alamo

[ps139]

I The Alamo on opening day, and I would not recommend that anyone pay $9 to see it in the theaters.
They should have recorded a monologue over it and put it on the history channel.
It was pretty slow. I majored in history in college. I enjoy history that most find boring, especially American history. But to me, this movie was pretty boring.

So many unnecessary scenes. Some characters are never developed, some you do not even know their names. (Jim Bowie's Mexican scout friend) some start to get developed, then you never see them again. (Col. Travis' slave).

I did not "hate" the movie, but at times it got slow, and there were loose ends left untied. I did enjoy it somewhat, since I'm into that sort of history, but the John Wayne version of the Alamo was much better.

There were a few bright spots - Dennis Quaid played a great Sam Houston, and Billy Bob Thornton was EXCELLENT as Davy Crockett. Jason Patric also did a good job as Jim Bowie (too bad he was sick in bed for half the film though).

If you like the History of the Old West, rent it in a few months.

 

[Jeremiah the Bullfrog]

Thanks for the review.

 

[Billy the Kid]

That bad huh? I thought it was on the history channel beforehand, but I guess I could be wrong.
Thank you for the review

 

[SDSUMarcus01]

I certainly agree. My friend said he wanted to see it so we went... and we all agreed that it sucked.

It had character development for characters that were barely on the screen after their backstory was presented!!!

And at times, it just felt like it dragged on.

 

[Risen Tree]

From this website, the following quote sums up everything you need to know about the movie.

The good news first: The Alamo is probably the most historically accurate depiction yet to reach the screen of the famous siege. The bad news is that "historically accurate" does not necessarily translate into "dramatically successful." Emotionally inert and poorly paced, The Alamo transforms one of Texas' best-known events into an uninvolving bore. And, to add a dose of irony to the proceedings, the most compelling elements of the film are those that transpire away from the Alamo.

Oddly, this can be said about many movies made by Hollywood today.

 

[Fineous_Reese]

heh, the review was posted 15 minutes after my viewing of the movie started... at least it was at matinee price. we didn't hate it by any stretch, ps139 hit all the same highs i would've mentioned but i would add that i wish the movie didn't open

Spoiler: like this

the opening scene panning over the dead bodies was not needed

-Fin

 

[peanutbutter12]

Dododo do do - another one bites the dust. *clap*

My simple review

CJ

 

[HiredGoon]

I thought the Alamo was very good. The most historically accurate depiction to date, and it was excellent. Much better than the mythical John Wayne version, or Disney's version with Fess Parker. It didn't conform to the regular Hollywood formula, which is always a plus in my book. Almost as good a historical film as the flawless "Master and Commander: the Far Side of the World."

 

[nick_da_dude98]

Yeah it looks pretty good HG but yeah after these reviews... I really wanna see it now! cuz then I can see why it isn't so great a movie...but yeah history is my favorite subject so....yeah anywho...

 

[Optimus Prime]

Historically accurate? Isn't this the same movie which uses the La Pena Diaries as its basis for what happened to Davy Crockett, despite that the La Pena Diaries have been proven as forgeries? Whereas they ignored no less then five eyewitness accounts from those who were at the Alamo (Two Mexican soldiers, Santa Anna's cook, the widow of an Alamo defender, and the slave of another Alamo defender), none of which have been discredited, who say Davy Crockett died in the thick of the battle?

 

[ps139]

Historically accurate? Isn't this the same movie which uses the La Pena Diaries as its basis for what happened to Davy Crockett, despite that the La Pena Diaries have been proven as forgeries? Whereas they ignored no less then five eyewitness accounts from those who were at the Alamo (Two Mexican soldiers, Santa Anna's cook, the widow of an Alamo defender, and the slave of another Alamo defender), none of which have been discredited, who say Davy Crockett died in the thick of the battle?

Interesting! I never know there was a controversy over this. This movie followed the La Pena Diaries..... **WARNING SPOILER AHEAD** You see Davy making a "last stand" and assume he is dead....then the film goes over to Sam Houston for a little bit, and next thing you know, its back to the Alamo, next morning, and Crockett is the only man alive, about to be "tried" and executed. I was thinking - how did he survive the night??? I guess what you said explains things.

 

[rglencheek]

I saw the Alamo three times, so I guess its safe to say I liked it.

Historical epic genre movies sort ofrequire a deep interest in the particular subject to really understand them well, and this one was definately an epic.

 

[La Bonita Zorilla]

I liked it but it was boring and wooden to people not interested in the subject. It was certainly better than the silly John Wayne epic.

I wish they would have found a way to work in my ancestor (not directly, he's like a 5x Great Uncle) Padre Miguel Muldoon, the Irish Priest who baptised the Protestant settlers as Catholics as the Mexican Government required, always with a nudge and a wink, knowing they never really ever intended to become practicing Catholics.