Costner invites us into the epic journey to come using visual storytelling.
There are multiple character journeys happening concurrently in his genre epic that first could make it challenging to follow. But with a narrative like this one, Costner takes his time establishing their backstories as needed to steer the drama along. Among these is the tale of Frances Kittredge (Sienna Miller). Seeking to reclaim their property, the neighboring Apache tribe assaults her family's newly established colony once they have settled into a new area during the pre-Civil War era. Costner asks us straight immediately to explore the magic of Western battle scenes, guiding them with style and a keen eye.
Thanks in great part to Sergeant Major Riordan (Michael Rooker) and First Lieutenant Trent Gephardt (Sam Worthington), Frances and her small daughter barely escape. Their introductions and exchanges with the lone survivors set off the emotional components of Baird and Costner's script, therefore allowing plenty of opportunity for us to get similarly engaged in what is to follow. Moreover, Costner deftly captures the stunning settings to complement these kinds of sequences in a way that fuels our wish for any good outcome in a movie that first begins dark and uncompromising with its violence and bloodbaths.
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 Leaves Much To Be Desired Due Of Too Many Characters
Costner flips his narrative to center another character called Marigold (Abby Lee). Between watching after Ellen/Lucy's son, she is a local courtesan waiting for her next cowboy. Lucy left her turbulent marriage marked with domestic abuse not too long ago. Marigold is left to look after the little child while her ex-partner and his thugs chase her down. Among these incidents, Marigold discovers the intriguing and enigmatic Hayes Ellison (Coster), on whom she turns for protection and comfort. Marigold has to choose her desired way of life as they travel ahead and come upon several colonies.
With all the personal and entwining tales running across Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1, it would be all too simple to reduce this movie to a genre exercise that prepares itself for next iterations. Of course, while trying to grasp the convoluted tale at hand, there are many people to get acquainted with. Deeper understanding of these characters is only natural if one wants to develop a relationship to them. But Costner's Western epic only does enough to create the suspense and leaves us yearning more.
The amazing epic Kevin Costner created calls for patience. Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 Review
There is something about a director whose love of grand but honest narrative transcends their need to please the general audience. Kevin Coster, who lately debuted his western epic, Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1, at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, is one of those storytellers for me. His first directed attempt in this genre (Dances with Wolves) 34 years ago, and today he is returning with screenwriter friend Jon Baird to really and methodically convey his passion of westerns. Costner shows in Horizon: Chapter 1 his ability to manage entwining tales equally intimate and epic.
In the slower parts of the movie, Costner also rightly depends on his characters to carry the momentum. Though it still needs an almost impossible level of patience from spectators, the pacing is rather amazing at almost three hours long. Still, it is what makes it all the more remarkable. Unexpected poignant moments are just around the bend following protracted, horrific scenes of suffering and murder. And it is amazing how the director guides his characters on their long travels using the surroundings. For his alone visual narrative, Costner's newest is worth watching in theatres.
Horizon: An American Chronicle: Synopsis of the Motion Picture
Actually, Chapter 1 falls short in fully developing these personalities; it is more clear when one examines their behavior and interactions with others. Still, Costner creates a visually stunning trip full of optimism and beauty using minimal language and essentially isolated storytelling. It depends less on over-explanations and fosters an appreciation of visual storytelling by capturing breathtaking settings that emphasize on the natural beauty of the Old West. The emotional tone of the story where the conversation does not is sold by the set pieces and even John Debney's score.
Horizon: An American Narrative First chapter opened at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 is a long ensemble-driven trip likely to get mixed Reviews, an epic start to a great Western extravaganza. Audiences may find it challenging to get interested in people with minimal background given several stories running concurrently. Still, Costner and crew understand the value of visual and aural narrative. When the conversation is minimal in this movie, the score, scenery, and set pieces assist us to emotionally relate to the whole experience. And owing to a unique, sneak-peek montage at the end, Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 has much to excite genre buffs.
Western Epic by Costner: Examining Closely
For only his visual narrative, Costner's latest is worth seeing in theaters. Actually, Chapter 1 falls short in fully developing these personalities; it is more clear-cut when one examines their relationships with others. Still, Costner creates a visually stunning trip full of optimism and beauty using minimal language and essentially isolated storytelling. It depends less on over-explanations and fosters an appreciation of visual storytelling by capturing breathtaking settings that emphasize on the natural beauty of the Old West. The emotional tone of the story where the conversation does not is sold by the set pieces and even John Debney's score.
Horizon: An American Narrative First chapter opened at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 is a long ensemble-driven trip likely to get mixed Reviews, an epic start to a great Western extravaganza. Audiences may find it challenging to get interested in people with minimal background given several stories running concurrently. Still, Costner and crew understand the value of visual and aural narrative. When the conversation is minimal in this movie, the score, scenery, and set pieces assist us to emotionally relate to the whole experience. And owing to a unique, sneak-peek montage at the conclusion, Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 has much to have fans of the genre buzzing.
