HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA CHAPTER ONE is Kevin Costner’s latest epic tale that spans fifteen years of the of West during pre and post-Civil War days. It is a massive undertaking and running time is over three hours. It feels like a true commitment to watch with too much content to absorb, and this is only the beginning of this huge journey.
The cinematography is stunning. The vast colors, desolation, and depths of our Wild West is captured for all to enjoy. The danger and bloody fights among settlers and indigenous people project the horror and terror of times long ago. Some are wise beyond their years and others are just bloodthirsty. Scalping is common and death is everywhere. It is a testament to the settler’s perseverance and tenacity that the West became civilized at all.Â
The entire ensemble showcased this through their realistic, raw acting skills, but here lies the conundrum of sharing a difficult story that is over-inflated. There were so many family plot lines begun and not fully developed enough. Yes, this is only the first chapter, but the saga gave audiences much to keep track of every step of the way. It was easy to feel lost and left behind. It was hard to feel empathy for anyone when every other minute we were introduced to someone new.
Everyone expected Kevin Costner to portray a larger role. He is the strength and momentum behind each frame. There just wasn’t enough Kevin airtime. Kudos to him for being the director as well, but we have seen him conquer these dual roles several sagas ago. (THE POSTMAN, DANCES WITH WOLVES, ROBIN HOOD, and THE BODYGUARD) Perhaps there is a reason several studios did not want to cover the cost of this series/film and Kevin was forced to use his own funds to bankroll this project. Kevin Costner is larger than life. Audiences needed to see him pull this chapter together. Then we would follow him anywhere. This did not happen. Viewers needed a strong Kevin thread to bind us together.Â
HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA bit off more than they could chew. It felt long and drawn out. It was a good attempt, but in the end, failed by thinking too big. This is a shame. It is streaming on Max.Â
