Cinco de Mayo: La Batalla

Historically is was a far superior Mexican force against a numerically inferior French one which resulted in the Mexicans being defeated later by the French. But never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

El que se te va gustar tanto la otra persona no es un día de estos días

The production values are good in this movie, but most of the focus is on the mechanics of the battle itself (and surrounding battles). Although there are a few scenes setting up the historical context, there is very little in this movie to give viewers a sense of Mexico in the early 1860’s. Most of the action is filmed with very tight camera angles and lots of camera movement, this becomes repetitive towards the end. I grew up in Puebla, where the battle was fought, and was surprised to not see any footage giving you a sense of the city. The forts were the battle was fought are still there but none of the images I saw made me feel this was taking place in Puebla. Even the majestic views of the two volcanoes that dominate the Puebla skyline weren’t used until the credits. Very little mention of the Zacapoaxtlan peasants that were crucial to the victory (at least that’s what we’re taught in Puebla schools). Good war movie, could have done a better job showing Puebla and Mexico in general.

Good