Review: The Alamo (2004)

    Today is March 6th, the 177 anniversary of the fall of The Alamo. Since that is the case I thought I would do a full review of the 2004 film, much better than the John Wayne version, The Alamo. This was my movie of the week a year ago on Facebook, but that mini review doesn't quite get all the points across of why this is a very good, and underrated film.
    We all know the ill fated story of The Alamo, 236 Texan soldiers guard an old church, called The Alamo Mission, to prevent the Mexican army from advancing further into Texas to take it over. After a 13 day siege, the Mexican army launched an all out assault on The Alamo at night, eventually killing all of the men there. This sparked anger in people in Texas and caused them to join the Texan, then Texian, army to seek revenge. They got that revenge on April 21, 1836 at the Battle of San Jacinto where the Mexican Army was wiped out.

    The movie opens with the aftermath of the attack as we see all the bodies of the dead Texans, as the camera pans where hear this wonderful sorrow filled music. Right then and there we know that this is going to be an emotional movie. Next, we are introduced to the characters one by one. Dennis Quaid plays Sam Houston in charge of the army of Texas. He does a truly great job as he displays Houston's anger and will to win when he wants to. Quaid gives a great performance by showing the emotions and Houston's way to control a room full of men who want to fight and get revenge, the display of Sam Houston's leadership capabilities was displayed very well.

    Next, we have Billy Bob Thornton as Davy Crockett, probably his best performance because you can tell the amount of research that went into the role. Billy Bob embraces himself in his role so much that the film is carried by him. From the very moment we meet him on screen to the end, when he is killed, we like him. There is one scene where he picks up his violin and starts playing along with the Mexican Army band, probably the best scene in the movie, and it is really a fun and moving scene to watch because it shows what kind of person Crockett was in good fashion.
     In supporting roles we have Jason Patric, as James Bowie, and Patrick Wilson, and Colonel William Travis. Both of which embrace there roles, as well, with great compassion especially Jason Patric who displays Bowie sickness very well and shows the problems he went through. Patrick Wilson, not the best actor out there, but does a good job as a Colonel who leaves his son, and just getting out of a divorce, before he was stationed at The Alamo. Overall great performances by a great cast.

    This is directed by a very good director, John Lee Hancock, who has not done as much as he should. He uses, a very detailed, rebuilt set of The Alamo very well and shows how the people lived during the siege. Simply put, the amount of detail put into this film was wonderful and an attention grabber. The production design was great because it was a real size version of The Alamo, in great detail. 

    The film is also beautiful to look at with great cinematography, used very well in the outside scenes and wide shots. We also have a truly heartfelt original score by Carter Burwell, who is almost unknown to most, by the way he uses the violin in certain scenes. The movie would not be complete without that emotional score, it adds to the film so much, you will know when you see it. The Alamo is a wonderful retelling of the brave story with near perfect acting, direction, great cinematography, production design, and a beautiful moving score. It is hurt a little by pacing at times, but it is a sad and emotional historic story done the right way.   
3.5/4 Stars.