Summary
- Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1
was designed to set up a grand story across four films, not as a standalone feature. - Despite box office underperformance, the streaming release of
Horizon
found success and gained a new audience. - Kevin Costner’s vision for an epic Western theatrical experience may require a new strategy for future chapters.
As a seasoned film enthusiast with over three decades of movie-going experience under my belt, I must say that I find myself intrigued by this tale of ‘Horizon: An American Saga’. Having sat through countless epic Westerns and saga-style films, I can appreciate the grand ambition that Kevin Costner brought to this project.
It’s widely acknowledged that Kevin Costner’s “Horizon” series represents one of the most daring movie ventures in recent years. Comprising a single narrative divided into four films, the initial installment premiered in cinemas on June 28. This three-hour spectacle, however, fell flat at the box office, resulting in a largely negative reception from viewers, who generally considered it a flop.
The main issue with the movie “Horizon” was that it felt incomplete, giving the impression that it was primarily a prequel designed to establish a larger narrative, rather than a film that could be enjoyed on its own. This lack of self-contained storytelling seems to have impacted its box office performance, causing the release date for “Chapter 2” to be postponed from August 16th. Ironically, viewers are expressing frustration with “Horizon’s” structure when it is, in fact, fulfilling its intended purpose.
In Horizon Chapter 1, we didn’t get the whole picture since that’s not the structure of the Horizon series – it unfolds across four films, which some internet users seem disappointed by. However, not everyone feels this way, and many who watched Chapter 1 enjoyed its hint at a larger narrative beyond a standalone movie. Therefore, it’s too early to dismiss the entire Horizon franchise as a failure. Instead, let’s give it a chance to demonstrate its potential.
Horizon’s Not Your Conventional Western Flick
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The Horizon series has been a deeply personal endeavor for Kevin Costner, dating back to 1988. What started as a single movie evolved into a trilogy, then a quartet, the films we recognize today. As his vision expanded, so did the number of stories and movies. However, one of the challenges lies in this expansive scope.
Attending a traditional theater is an age-old tradition, and viewers generally know what they’re getting into: sit for around two hours, follow a story with a resolution, and that’s it. However, “Horizon” breaks the mold as it’s not intended to be consumed in one go. Instead, it’s a single narrative spanning 8-12 hours, divided into four separate films. Normally, viewers expect some sense of closure upon leaving the theater, but “Horizon” doesn’t offer that. This lack of a self-contained story has led many to criticize “Horizon Chapter 1” as a flop. However, it’s essential to remember that we’ve only seen a quarter of the story. The impatience of today’s audience doesn’t make it fair to label “Horizon” so quickly. But the truth is, “Horizon” is exactly doing what it was intended to do. Judging “Horizon” based on just one part may not be accurate or fair.
From Box Office Flop to Streaming Triumph
It appeared that the “failure” theory gained traction when Chapter 2 was moved from its August 16 release date. At that time, Horizon was underperforming and there were doubts about whether audiences would return to theaters in sufficient numbers for the second installment so soon after the first. However, in July 2024, Warner Bros made Horizon available on streaming VOD, and the results showed a different picture. It quickly climbed to the top of the charts during its release week, outperforming other popular titles such as Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and The Garfield Movie. So, those who were quick to dismiss Horizon as a failure may have jumped the gun.
As a devoted movie enthusiast, I’ve found that the launch of Horizon has demonstrated a demand for this cinematic experience. However, it might not be the kind that traditional theater-goers are accustomed to. With a runtime surpassing three hours, sitting through an entire screening in a theater without intermissions can be quite taxing. But the beauty of streaming it at home is the flexibility – you can pause, resume, or rewatch it whenever suits you best.
Costner and the filmmakers believed that audiences could handle watching three hours of the story for Chapter 1, followed by six hours for Chapter 2 and ultimately nine hours for Chapter 4. However, many viewers might find it challenging to remember all the details. By releasing the films on home media, viewers can watch at their own pace without the inconvenience of multiple long theater visits. The movies can be divided into shorter segments and rewatched as a means to refresh memories before the next chapter is released.
In essence, the narrative structure of Horizon might lend itself more effectively to a continuous television series format. Unlike shows such as House of the Dragon, viewers typically don’t anticipate that each episode of Horizon will tell a complete story on its own. Instead, it was initially intended for theatrical release, and audiences usually expect a film within a larger franchise to be able to be enjoyed individually, even though it contributes to a broader narrative.
Kevin Costner’s Vision for the Horizon Franchise
The way each person perceives Horizon’s release may vary, but ultimately, Costner created the series for his own purposes. He chose to present it as one narrative spread across four films, aiming to achieve a grand Western cinematic experience. His priority was getting the story told, and success with critics or audiences was secondary. However, the public’s vision didn’t align with Costner’s.
As a fan, I found myself appreciating the vision behind “Horizon Chapter 1” even amidst the criticisms from some viewers. If you approached the film with an open mind, understanding that it wasn’t meant to deliver a complete story, you might have found it more enjoyable. Consider it as the initial chapter of a book or the pilot episode of a series. It’s setting the stage for something bigger, and if you stay tuned till the end, hopefully, the culmination will prove to be a rewarding experience.
It’s still unclear how Warner Bros plans to release the upcoming chapters of “Horizon: An American Saga,” but given Costner’s significant investment, it seems unlikely that they will abandon movie theaters entirely. Instead, a mixed theater-and-streaming strategy might be the optimal approach. Fans who want a grand cinematic experience can still catch it on the big screen, while those preferring to watch at home in smaller segments can do so as well. Despite its rocky start, this new release strategy could prove beneficial, as Warner Bros appears to see potential in “Horizon: An American Saga” as a possible sleeper hit. Only time will tell how the rest of the series unfolds, but those quick to dismiss it as a failure may have overlooked its true potential. “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” is now available for rental or purchase on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play.
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2024-08-14 05:01