Key Takeaways:
– Kevin Costner's latest project, Horizon: An American Saga, is considered a risky venture in the current movie scenario
– Despite limited initial success, the studio chooses to release the movie digitally to potentially engage audiences
– Critics give the film a lukewarm response, but audiences show more favorability
– The future of the sequel, Horizon: Chapter 2, currently hangs in the balance.
Now let's dive deeper…
The Journey of Horizon: An American Saga
Kevin Costner, a well-known movie star, dared to dream big with Horizon: An American Saga. Given the decreasing popularity of the genre, some folks considered this a daring risk. Despite everything he had to sacrifice, including jeopardizing his marriage and TV series, Costner dedicated himself fully to this project.
While Costner wasn't aiming for Avengers or Avatar mega-success, he genuinely hoped his masterfully-crafted Western tale would turn heads. Sadly, his three-hour epic didn't quite hit the mark at the summer box office, only bringing in $11 million in its first weekend.
The Unfortunate Reality
You'd think things would pick up for Horizon: An American Saga, right? Unfortunately, quite the opposite happened. The movie's rainy days continued with the box office numbers falling rapidly. It's estimated that the film will close its run with a total of $30 million, which is a pretty disappointing outcome.
Owing to this, the studio decided to postpone the sequel, Horizon: Chapter 2. Instead, the decision was made to offer the first film on digital-on-demand.
Why Go Digital so Soon?
This might sound unusual as most summer films have an extended run in theatres. However, this strategy could also be a clever move. By making the first movie readily available at home, the studio hopes it might spark people's interest in the upcoming sequel.
Digital Release: A Strategy to Revive Interest?
With Costner's grand vision of creating a four-part saga, this is an important setup for what's coming next. While the movie only received a lukewarm 47% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the audience had a more positive reaction with a 71% rating.
This mixed reaction indicates that Horizon: An American Saga may resonate more with audiences once the subsequent chapters get released. It's a clear case of the need to be patient and hope that fans will ultimately appreciate the progression of the ambitious storyline.
The Undying Optimism
Our reviewer Chris Bumbray felt that despite being part of a grander vision, the movie was compelling on its own. He felt drawn to the saga and, by the end of it, he was rooting for the sequel to be released right away.
So, even though Horizon: An American Saga seems to be having some growing pains, its creators remain hopeful. Yes, it's a bit like an underdog tale. The journey is tough, and the odds seem to be against it. Yet, the belief that true artistry and hard work will find their audience stays strong.
As we wait for the following chapters, Horizon: An American Saga is now available for you to watch in the comfort of your home on VOD. So grab your popcorn, settle down on your couch, and start this epic adventure today!
In closing, Kevin Costner's gamble might not have paid off instantly, but who knows? Surprise comebacks have happened before in the world of film. And remember, success doesn't always mean massive box office numbers. Sometimes, it's all about reaching the right people with a story that truly matters to them.
…And that's the heart of Horizon: An American Saga.
