'The Alamo'
Forgettable

DELAYED FROM WHAT was presumably supposed to be an Oscar-baiting Christmastime release, this drama from director John Lee Hancock (The Rookie) isn't likely to be pulling in many awards next winter. That's not to say The Alamo is a bloated, faux-epic misfire on the scale of Pearl Harbor. Though the tone here is reverent and the sentiments sincere, the most immediate cinematic comparisons to this take on the iconic Texas battle are films like Gettysburg and Gods and Generals, which are more concerned with reenacting historical events than anything else. And unfortunately, anyone who's a little rusty on their facts won't find much in the way of exposition here; though it's clearly the United States vs. Mexico over the fate of Texas, the motives of everyone involved, and what outcome is desired and why, are never really spelled out. The performances – including Dennis Quaid as Gen. Sam Houston, Jason Patric as knife-waving Col. Jim Bowie, and Patrick Wilson (Angels in America) as young Lt. Col. William Travis – are, predictably, reverent and sincere. The film's few inspired moments come courtesy of Billy Bob Thornton, who's perfectly cast as folk hero Davy Crockett. Thornton aside, The Alamo is pretty ho-hum; history will always remember that fateful spring of 1836 – but this film, not so much. (Cheryl Eddy)