Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsThe Biggest Western Film in Years is Worth Your Three Hours Despite What "Critics" May Claim
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2024
The Western is decades past its peak, but occasionally we are gifted with a big budget Hollywood film that keeps the genre alive. Horizon is arguably the most high profile Western event in decades, and there is a lot riding on it, not only the future of the saga for which this is only part one of an intended four but as a litmus test for the modern audience's receptiveness to the Hollywood Western. To some, any film that celebrates the majesty and romanticism of the West is a non-starter, even as the revisionist Western has largely been done to death over the past 50 years. As Horizon is more in keeping with the classic Western ideals (it even dares to show Native Americans fighting among themselves at one point and often playing the role of antagonist), it is no surprise that the modern critical reception has been cool to say the least. For myself and many of the other Western fans I have spoken with, though, it was a fine picture that made good use of its three hour running time. A lot has been made of its length, but it didn't feel overlong despite necessitating some commitment on part of the viewer.
The film has to do a lot as the introduction of a four-part saga, and most of its admitted flaws are a result of it having to set up so many characters and plot lines. It does feel like three or four movies loosely stitched together, but I have faith that connections will be made in the future films should they actually get made. I praise Costner and the other filmmakers for trusting the audience to follow along without clumsily over-explaining everything. One has to pay attention and put the pieces together himself, which is a rare and welcome requirement these days from a Hollywood picture.
I highly encourage anyone with an interest in Westerns to watch this film. We don't get many films like this these days and will get even fewer if this film isn't successful.