The Alamo
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton,
Jason Patric, Dennis Quaid, Patrick Wilson
Director:
John Lee Hancock
The film: It's a funny thing that history's most fascinating incidents can be made into the most stagnant films. Think of the exploits of Australia's Kelly gang, the horrors of Pearl Harbour and the Alamo. Full of drama, full of heroes and villains, but put them up on the big screen and you'll be punching out the z's before the second reel.
And so it is once again. Despite director John Lee Hancock's best intentions - and he does attempt a sweeping historical epic here - too often things are bogged down by weighty dialogue and ponderous scenes of men waiting for battle. When the massacre finally comes, it's over almost as soon as it begins.
