Hey folks, Harry here... The first reviews of THE ALAMO were talking about cliches, tedious trite scenes that had nothing to do with THE ALAMO and cheese... They also discussed Billy Bob's performance as being pretty damn fantastic. A friend recently saw the film and told me that the cuts they've been making and changes they've been doing have been making it a much better movie... This review seems to confirm that. I would much rather have a good to great ALAMO movie than a mediocre one... this is good news... Beware of SPOILERS (I know some of you are ignorant of the most significant event in human history!)

Hi, Harry.

Never written anything before, but have decided to tonight... just got back from a test screening of THE ALAMO in Woodland Hills, California.  Having read the previous reviews of this I was kinda reluctant to go.  I had my barf bag at the ready.  But...

The filmmakers must have taken the last reviews to heart 'cause it seems like I saw a different movie than the last guys did.  For starters, I was waiting to see the storyline about the two young kids who end up "coincedentally" meeting at the end, brother vs brother.  I didn't see it -- 'cause it ain't there. 

I did see some pretty cool moments and performances, particularly from Billy Bob.  He really stands out in this movie, playing Davy Crockett as a regular guy.  He plays it with just the right amount of fear and bravado played with dignity while at the same time managing to diss.  Jason Patric and whoever the guy was that plays Lt Colonel Travis are also both solid.  

Storytelling is straightforward, effectively building toward the big battle.  There were a few close calls where I thought "this is it" but then the soldiers end up waiting around more.  Waiting for the real battle to start felt kinda like waiting for the boat to hit the iceberg... everyone knows it's coming, just a matter of time.  There is still a little too much time before all hell breaks loose, but when it does -- it's nicely done depending:  on whether or not you like gore with your battle scenes.  This was the most intense, bloodless battle I have ever seen.  Still, very intense, lots of action, and I dug it. 

I don't know much Alamo lore or Texas history so I can't really say with any genuine amount of knowledge whether or not the movie "got it," but just on the basis of just going to a movie (one I didn't think I was going to particularly like) I was pleasantly surprised.  I cared about these characters, I didn't find any of it too melodramatic, I thought a lot of the scenes leading to the battle were good, and the battle itself well done.  So either this movie is getting better or I have no idea what the hell I'm talking about. 

*One exciting part of the movie didn't actually take place in the movie, but instead in the movie theater.  Towards the end of the movie, seemed like some people sitting near the front accused some other people of stealing a wallet or a purse or something.  There were people standing and yelling at each other for a few minutes and for a few seconds I thought there was gonna be a brawl.  But there wasn't.  And that all took place after the battle and after (*Nother spoiler) Dennis Quaid exacted his Texas revenge so it was all good. 

If you decide to post this I'll go ahead and be "Jiffy."