Speaking as a multi-generational (5) Texan, with both an agricultural and wildlife background, the only thing I might be critical about this film is the saturation level of the images, and even that won't deduct even a half star.

Speaking with the relaxed deliberation for which he's known, Matthew McConaughey sounds as if he's not just on the trails the camera's showing, but these are his own simple-yet-inspired words. The writing fits him perfectly, just as the words follow the line being traced through each region, then used to color in the pictures and bring to life the stories of the land.

Or, better yet: The Land.

This film--which was shown tonight (7/29/22) in Wimberley's Blue Hole Regional Park as a free movie night--is softly but brutally honest. Not the sanitized Disney version of nature I grew up on; sanitized, no doubt, to protect youthful minds and hearts to the seemingly roughness of Nature. Which seemed to serve only to shock the senses more when, as older children or even adults, we only then discovered the reality of our own history as well as the real workings of the natural world.

This narrative tells the story plainly, without frills or needless shills, not leading us into the canyons or across the plains, but walking with us, pointing a knowing finger, nudging the mind to awaken to what is right before our eyes we might not have seen before. This is masterful story telling where we read the credits to find out who are these storytellers.

Yes, I mentioned the saturation levels of the film, because Nature needs no help in displaying its beauty. That's not to say the camera work in this film is anything less than profound, the true definition of sublime. As a still photographer of 60 years, what these cinematographers capture here is poetry, art, the real, true and thus, natural beauty of Nature. I was enthralled.

See this film. Not just because this is the story of Texas, or in spite of it being that story. See this film because it is the story of America, using Texas as the storyboard. And if it inspires you to protect ourselves by protecting our natural world, then these filmmakers have not just produced art for the sake of art, but for the sake of mankind.

Although well filmed with some stunning photography, there are many half truths and lies contained in this film, just like most things that come out of Texas.

You get a taste of this early in the film, when the narrator states that the ocelot is near extinction, but is not receiving any help because the ranchers on whose land they reside are afraid of the Endangered Species Act and how it will affect their profits, so they refuse to allow any research or support of any kind. Ignorance is bliss in Texas.

As much as this film deserves kudos for trying to highlight the plight of many vulnerable species in Texas, it will not change the fact that most Texans have no sympathy for any of these species, and will not lift a single finger to do anything that they think will impede their chase after the almighty dollar.

Nothing good ever came out of Texas. Don't expect them to change. Governor Abbott's idiotic policies around "the wall" on the southern border are not only illegal, but have already doomed numerous species to extinction with more to follow. Those species that do not succumb to starvation, dehydration and disease will likely die from another Texas plague: more firearms than any other place on earth.

The film does a great job showing the beauty of Texas that many don't realize even exits. I hope it encourages Texas residents to protect our sacred wild state.