Kevin Costner, an Academy Award-winning director, has returned to the Western genre with his directorial work on “Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 1” by Warner Bros. Pictures. Costner stars in the film and co-wrote the script with Jon Baird. The screenplay is based on an original story by Costner, Baird, and Mark Kasdan. Chapter 1 of the highly anticipated four-film series features a stellar ensemble cast. The cast includes renowned actors such as Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Danny Huston, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jeff Fahey, and Will Patton. Noteworthy performances come from Tatanka Means, Owen Crow Shoe, and rising talents Ella Hunt and Jamie Campbell Bower.
I’ll be honest and say a lot is going on in “Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 1.” Save for a select few critics, “Horizon” film opened cold, which sometimes doesn’t bode well. However, given what Costner accomplished with “Dances with Wolves” and “Open Range,” I decided to go see the film with an open mind. It’s important to note that Costner’s appearance in the film doesn’t happen until about an hour. The film does set a brisk pace from the start, with an opening battle scene that is both visceral and impactful. The depiction of violence in this film is not your typical cinematic portrayal. It’s startlingly authentic and stark, evoking a palpable sense of unease. These moments introduce us to Frances (Sienna Miller) and set up her subplot involving First Lt. Trent Gephardt (Sam Worthington) and Sgt. Major Riordan (Michael Rooker).
I found Costner’s portrayal of the traveler enigmatic, but my greatest engagement was with the other characters in the story. While the other narrative arcs introduced moments of exploration and development of traditional Western themes, they lacked a certain essential depth that I found in the interactions and experiences of the aforementioned characters. Costner, known for his work in classic Westerns like “Dances with Wolves,” brings his signature touch to “Horizon,” capturing the landscape’s harsh beauty and the characters’ rugged individualism.
The film is more than just a Western. It’s a love letter to the Old West, filled with sweeping vistas, tense gunfights, and poignant moments of introspection that will transport viewers back to a time when the Wild West was truly wild. Clocking in at a lengthy three hours, “Horizon” may take some patience to sit through, but the slow burn of the narrative pays off in the end. While everyone in the cast didn’t leave a lasting impression, there are enough top-notch performances to overlook that minor gripe with Costner leading a talented ensemble.
While “Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 1” may not reinvent the wheel regarding Western storytelling, it is a solid entry that will satisfy fans of the genre. It’s a beautifully shot, well-acted movie that will transport viewers back to when the Wild West was truly wild.
Final Grade: B
“Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 1” is in theaters now
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