A recommendation: Kevin Costner’s Horizon - An American Saga
Happy 4th of July! Want a movie about America? Try this one. Now playing in theaters nationwide is Kevin Costner's passion project - an epic, sprawling western movie (or multiple movies) titled Horizon: An American Saga. The first chapter is now playing, with Chapter 2 set to open in August (Opens in a new window). Inspired by his work making the "Yellowstone" series, Kevin Costner invested millions of his own money into making this Horizon series - it's supposed to be 4 movies in total. Instead of making another TV series, he wanted to make an old school epic western for cinema, but he also packed in just as many characters and storylines as a TV series. The short synopsis says it’s a "multi-faceted, 15-year span of pre-and post-Civil War expansion and settlement of the American west." It is a story of Americana and patriotism too big for one film - this "true cinematic event also stars Costner, who co-writes with Jon Baird and produces through his Territory Pictures." Featuring a massive ensemble cast of many recognizable names, Horizon is a thrilling experience that is a must watch on the big screen. It premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival a few months ago (where I first watched it). I'm looking forward to catching Chapter 2 when it opens, as there's so many characters that are introduced that I have to keep following in their stories across the West. Only Chapter 1 is playing now, and even though it's 3 hours long, it's only an introduction - setting up different storylines packed with various people who may or may not make it to the end of the day. It's still an exciting, thrilling event that is worthy of the big screen.
Directed by and starring Oscar-winning actor Kevin Costner, Horizon: An American Saga is the the first in a series of movies depicting a 12-year span in America's history - the movies feature an ensemble cast portraying various characters and their experiences pioneering into new territory from their homes. Families, friends and foes discover the lure of the Old West as the Civil War divides the country. The ensemble cast includes Abbey Lee, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Giovanni Ribisi, Michael Rooker, Danny Huston, Jena Malone, Michael Angarano, Jamie Campbell Bower, Jon Beavers, Owen Crow Shoe, Tatanka Means, Luke Wilson, Ella Hunt, Tom Payne, Georgia MacPhail, Will Patton, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jeff Fahey, and many others. Initial reviews have been mixed - some find this first movie is lackluster and too much of an hasty intro, not enough time spent with each of the characters. However, this is exactly what I enjoyed about it - each of the storylines moves along pretty quickly, and some characters don't last beyond one or two scenes. That's what life was like back in the Old West. Right? You have to fend for yourself. It was filmed on location in Southern Utah and it's all gorgeous with stunning vistas and sleek cinematography; even if it doesn't have that vintage "shot on 35mm film" feel it still looks good. If anyone wants to wait to watch both Chapter 1 & 2 together, the second movie should be opening in theaters nationwide on August 16th near the end of the summer from Warner Bros. I recommend catching both of them in theaters before they leave the big screen behind.
For more info on Horizon and where to watch - visit WB’s official website (Opens in a new window).
