Though its historical accuracy is questionable, The Alamo falls more along the lines a film that’s going to be seen more times in history classes than in the theater. It feels way too much like a historical reenactment and way too little like an actual story.

Just because you depict people having problems and suffering over them and having relationship problems and struggling with them doesn’t mean you’re automatically creating real human drama. The Alamo goes out of its way to bring “humanity” into the war film, but ironically weakens the war scenes more than it enhances them.

William Travis (Patrick Wilson) has been assigned to take charge of The Alamo, a hot spot of war because Santa Ana (Emilio Echevarría), the leader of the Mexican army, has been trying to retake Texas. Issues with authority rise between Travis and James Bowie (Jason Patric), who is also struggling with tuberculosis. Eventually, the Mexicans attack and Travis pleads for national help from Sam Houston (Dennis Quaid).

The best part of the film is Billy Bob Thornton, who, as Davy Crocket, manages to inject some humor and liveliness into the somber tone. Thornton somehow feels slightly out of place, but a still steals the show through the only character that really does bring humanity into the film.

The production as a whole feels adequately done. There are a few good scenes of action, a few of bravery and some that are slightly distressing, but none of it is ever especially compelling. The primary problem with the film seems to be that it’s all revolving around a single event, a single massacre – and ends up using filler to make a whole movie about the event. Multiple scenes felt forced or unnecessary. It was absolutely unnecessary for the film to be as long as it was. It felt like another failed attempt at a great historical epic that just isn’t that epic.