Movie Review: "Horizon: An American Saga Part 1

Watching part one of Kevin Costner's 3-hour Western epic, "Horizon: An American Saga," is quickly realized that this is a movie that would have been better suited as a mini-series on a streaming service. There's simply too much going on. The film juggles three or four different plot threads, each with their own side plots, making it a bit difficult to keep track of everything.

This project is very much Kevin Costner's brainchild. He financed the movie, wrote part of the screenplay, directed it, and stars in it. However, he doesn't appear on screen until almost an hour into the movie, making his eventual appearance quite exciting. He is as handsome as always!

The main plot revolves around the effort to settle a town called Horizon out somewhere in the west. It's a beautiful spot by the river, but an Apache tribe is settled very close by. The tribe is divided: half want the settlers to leave, while the other half doesn't want to stir up trouble. Those who want the settlers gone take violent measures to deter the outsiders, resulting in some very difficult scenes to watch. Following this conflict, there are various side plots involving the survivors. A mother and her daughter end up living in the cavalry's camp, getting to know some of the officers, including a familiar face from "Avatar," Sam Worthington. Another survivor joins a group hunting Native Americans.

In another plot thread, Kevin Costner's character in Montana comes across a prostitute trying to care for a child that isn't hers. This subplot seems to be set up as a romance but then she leaves. About two-thirds into the movie, another plot introduces a wagon train led by Luke Wilson. The best parts of these sequences involve a well-to-do English couple completely out of their element.

The most compelling aspect of the movie is its comprehensive portrayal of Western expansion. You see it from the perspectives of the military, settlers, Native Americans, and both poor and well-to-do immigrants. Many Westerns often present only one point of view, but "Horizon Part 1" offers a more balanced narrative. I felt sympathy for almost every point of view.

The acting by the main stars is well-executed, and the cinematography is impressive.

Despite its merits, the movie has flopped in theaters, which is understandable. However, it may find greater success on a streaming service. The release date for Part 2 has been pushed back, likely to allow more people to catch up with Part 1.

I appreciate seeing what Kevin Costner has put together and am definitely looking forward to the subsequent installments.

I give this movie 3 out of 5 stars.