09/25/06 The Alamo

The Alamo (2004), directed by John Lee Hancock

watched solo; DVD (borrowed from parents) @ home

An actual historic event given the ol' Hollywood razzle dazzle treatment, where we line up a list of famous actors to re-enact the roles and personalities of famed historical figures...but you can't quite get past the fact that you are staring not at Davy Crockett in the flesh, but rather Billy Bob Thornton wearing fake sideburns and a smarmy grin. However, all digressions aside...this is a decent historical drama, even if given the glitzy flare. The story is a momentous one...and let's set the tone if you were sleeping in history class in 5th grade. The Alamo served the site for a famous 1836 battle and siege of an abandoned mission in San Antonio, Texas. Standing as the symbolic stronghold to their city and state, native Texans and Tejanos forces of not even 200 men fought against a surging Mexican Army led by the tyrannical General Santa Anna that numbered in the thousands. What unfolded was a brutal and unforgettable battle between armies, but furthermore personified a mentality of the burgeoning country of America where people making the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of freedom could attain seemingly insurmountable odds. The ending to the battle would be tragic, especially for the Texan side...however it would lead to later battles that would shift the tides in favor of Texas' independence. Truly a time-honored story to tell, but it's still a cast of familiar faces playing these key historic figures...Thornton (Davy Crockett...of the coonskin cap fame), Dennis Quaid (Sam Houston...of the city named after him fame), and Jason Patric (Sam Bowie...of the knife fame) to name a few. Once (if you ever) get around the fact that the actors are who they are, the acting abilities on display here are good. The story itself engrosses you if nothing else...as I am a historical nut. I found myself trying to keep that inner balance as a viewer by appreciating the rememberance of such an important event in time, but also grounding myself by seeing the Hollywood aspects to the action and dramatic elements. Plus, another ridiculous thought that I couldn't get out of my movie-saturated head was wondering about the basement of the Alamo, and poor Pee-Wee Herman never finding his bike there on the guided tour. Plus, I believe that Ozzy Osbourne once peed on the landmark itself, getting himself a lifetime ban from the premises (don't mess with Texas). With those two tacky tributes, how could a film like this desecrate the memory of it any worse?

3 out of 5 stars