'Horizon: An American Saga' Review: Kevin Costner's epic is less Dances With Wolves and more Snoozes With Horses
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: It takes a lot of courage to make a three-hour-long movie these days, let alone plan three more in the same timeframe.
It breaks my heart that the first film in the franchise, 'Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 1,' falls so short of expectations that I am no longer interested in the sequels.
Given Kevin Costner's extensive experience with the Western genre, you would expect him to do justice to this theme. However, this first chapter felt more like an extended prologue to me.
While the film boasts stunning cinematography and a diverse ensemble, it struggles under the weight of weak characters and confusing writing, leaving viewers waiting for a payoff that never arrives.
The slow-build narrative leaves the characters underdeveloped in 'Horizon: An American Saga, Chapter 1'
The saga's concept aims to intertwine numerous stories across the vast, untamed expanses of the American frontier.
The film begins with a horrific attack on a town by Apache warriors, establishing a dark and violent tone that runs throughout the story.
In this chaotic and ethically ambiguous environment, the settlers' desperation is palpable, and the lengths they go to evade arrest and torture are horrifying.
Hayes Ellison (Kevin Costner) is the film's central character, a lone cowboy who becomes embroiled in a shootout and flees with the town's courtesan, Marigold (Abbey Lee).
Amid this turmoil, the film delves into the lives of other characters, including a British married couple, Juliette Chesney (Ella Hunt) and Hugh Proctor (Tom Payne), who are part of a wagon convoy looking for a new life.
Additionally, the story follows a recently widowed mother, Frances Kittredge (Sienna Miller), who is rebuilding her life with her daughter.
The film spends a significant portion of its runtime establishing scenarios and introducing key characters, such as Costner's Hayes, who do not emerge until later in the plot.
This gradual build-up might have been acceptable if the result were significant, but Chapter 1 feels unfinished, with major conflicts and character arcs left undeveloped.
'Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1' sinks under its ambitious scope
One of the film's most serious faults is an oversupply of characters, with around 20 characters spread across multiple settings.
This broad scale, while attempting to provide a complete image of the American frontier, ultimately dilutes the narrative effect and makes it impossible for viewers to connect with any of the characters on a significant level.
The film's attempts to evoke empathy or engagement in the characters' fates are hindered by its frequent shifts in focus from one character to another.
As a result, the viewing experience feels fragmented, with no single plot or character development receiving the depth and attention needed to evoke an emotional response.
While the film may be laying the groundwork for future sequels, it's disappointing to have a movie that runs over three hours yet fails to create memorable characters.
Overall, 'Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1' aims high but ultimately falls short of its promise. While it establishes the stage for future installments, the first chapter is a chore to sit through.
The film teases the promise of a high-speed saga but keeps too many of its best elements out of reach. It stands as an ambitious yet flawed entry in the Western genre, leaving plenty of room for improvement in future chapters.
'Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1' trailer