Rating summary
| Movie |  | 4.0 |
| Video |  | 4.5 |
| Audio |  | 5.0 |
| Extras |  | 0.0 |
| Overall |  | 3.5 |
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 4K Blu-ray Movie Review
Saga frontier.
Reviewed by Randy Miller III September 11, 2024
Released alongside the standard 4K UHD and Blu-ray editions, Warner Bros. has also issued a 4K/Blu-ray Steelbook combo pack of Kevin Costner's Horizon: An American
Saga - Chapter 1 which is exclusive to Walmart, both in-stores and online. Featuring rock-solid A/V merits but still nothing in the way of bonus
features on either disc (a disappointing surprise, to say the least), this is the only domestic release in which both higher-tier formats can be bought at
once, making it the de facto definitive edition -- for now, at least -- and a no-brainer for Steelbook collectors.
For a synopsis and critique of the main feature, please see my recent review of the
4K edition.
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
NOTE: These screenshots are sourced from the included Blu-ray edition.
For my thoughts on the 4K disc's 2160p/HDR10 transfer and the comparatively decent 1080p/SDR offering found on the included Blu-ray, please see my
recent reviews of the 4K and Blu-ray editions.
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
Similarly, see my 4K
review for details about the Dolby Atmos mix, which is identical on both discs.
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
This one-disc release ships in matte-finish Steelbook packaging with Costner's character predictably front and center, with his head bowed in a striking
pose set against a largely brown and gold landscape with a cream-colored sky, the film's logo further down, and a continued near-monochromatic
landscape on the back cover. Inside is a dynamic scene from the film depicting a horse-drawn wagon at full speed with both the 4K and Blu-ray discs
on separate overlapping hubs on the right along with a Digital Copy. It's a nice-looking design overall, although I kind of prefer the standard 4K and
Blu-ray artwork for its bolder colors and variance. Both should've probably had more characters, though.
Similar to those standard editions, no bonus features of any kind are included on either disc.
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 is the decent first leg of a presumed four-part cinematic journey from director and co-writer Kevin
Costner. His track record for Westerns over the last several decades has been quite good and this at least flirts with viewer expectations;
future installments, and the increased depth than hopefully comes with them, may shift those expectations into "exceed" territory. WB's standard 4K UHD and Blu-ray editions are
certainly fine enough for newcomers, but having one both formats in a collectable package -- even one still without bonus features, sadly -- will make
this Steelbook a desirable release for established fans, especially at its comparable price.
