Hawkeye Review (Episode 1 & 2): Jeremy Renner Finally Steps into the Spotlight; Hailee Steinfeld Makes A Great Marvel Debut But…

Hawkeye Review (Episode 1 & 2): 4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0

Cast: Jeremy Renner, Hailee Steinfeld, Vera Farmiga, Tony Dalton, Fra Fee and Ensemble.

Creator: Jonathan Igla.

Director: Bert, Bertie and Rhys Thomas.

Stream to: Disney

Language: English (with subtitles)

Duration: Each episode about 50 minutes.

Hawkeye Review (Episode 1 & 2): What It’s About:

The world has seen the endgame and Thanos turn to dust, but victory comes at a price. Certainly, for Hawkeye alias Clint Barton, the prize was huge when he lost his best friend Natasha Romanoff alias Black Widow. He now lives a normal life with a mild hearing problem. Enters Kate Bishop whose trajectory begins in 2012 when the Avengers fought the intergalactic army, and during the same period Kate lost her father. She sees Hawkeye and makes him her role model. But right now she somehow gets hold of Ronin’s costume and wears it.

Ronin’s enemies are activated and Bishop is on the hit list. Hawkeye is the superhero again and so the show begins.

Hawkeye Review (Episode 1 & 2): What Works:

One of the most unglamorous Avengers, Hawkeye, has always been in the background. His simple face and less talking never really brought him to center stage, except when Black Widow made the sacrifice and we all cried. So setting it up for the small screen isn’t a huge task, it’s subtle and not much bigger than life.

The writers are shaping the show during the holiday season, which is rare in the MCU. Also rare is the exploration of more humane sides of the Avengers who have been protecting Earth for decades. Clint never expressed his emotions and the first episode respects that. He has seen the Endgame up close, he lost the only best friend he had and that too for an infinite stone. His family was snatched from him for 5 years, he became a vigilante during those years. So the man has a baggage and the maker makes it look like. He probably ages faster, tries to control his spark and stays out of trouble.

His entry on the show is no bigger than life, but he spends some quiet time with his kids and promises to be with them this Christmas. He tries to overcome the melancholy of his life. But the world doesn’t want him to stay normal, they keep reminding him that he is the Hawkeye. Suddenly, a vigilante in Ronin’s suit appears on the news, and Hawkeye has to get back to work. If you don’t know who Ronin is, you’ve already seen him, and he’s also one of the Avengers.

Enter Kate Bishop aka Hailee Steinfeld! Whoever of the numerous writers on board decided to shape Bishop as a teenager out of a coming of age drama, you probably won the show. Hailee’s “annoyed with glamour” and protective nature is all the show emphasizes. She becomes the perfect contradiction to what Clint Barton is right now.

The writing is smart when it comes to dialogues. Clint mumbles lines like “And I fight Thanos,” when a man makes a childish wish, or when Kate is super mean to her for being stepfather Jack Duquesne, aka Tony Dalton, it all turns out alright.

Hawkeye Review (Episode 1 & 2): Top Performance:

Jeremy Renner totally knows who Hawkeye is. There’s no way he could go wrong playing the most underrated Avenger. He has been playing with silences for years and makes his presence felt in ensemble films. Now if he’s the center of attention, how can he not make you fall in love with his strangely charismatic demeanor?

Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop is a revelation. I don’t even need more episodes to trust her and bet my money. The actor enters with a bang (literally) showing why the casting agents chose her to take on the mantle. She also has absolutely great comedic timing.

Tony Dalton is the mystery here, because he is more than what you see. The actor manages to sound the alarm when he’s in the picture and I’m so eager to see what he turns out to be.

Hawkeye Review (Episode 1 & 2): What Doesn’t Work:

Now hear me out, Hawkeye is the lightest compared to all the other shows and movies currently released or in Phase 4 release. Even the pilot indicates that the makers take their time and don’t really make it the magnificent ‘larger than life’. But will an entire season of light work for the studio as a whole?

Plus, the show is set during the holiday season, which is already an extra layer of happiness and optimism that takes the tension away. It will be exciting to see how the makers balance that. Yelena Belova and Maya Lopez are coming in more episodes, so I’ve pinned my hopes.

Hawkeye Review (Episode 1 & 2): Final Words:

Marvel has started recording and exploring sides they’ve ventured less into. See Hawkeye’s emotional catharsis as he walks around with the baggage of the past. Look into his deeply emotional eyes whenever he is reminded of his beloved Natt. Watch the show and tell me if you agree.