• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket

Marvel’s Hawkeye – Episodes 1 & 2 Review

November 24, 2021 by Martin Carr

Martin Carr reviews the two-episode premiere of Marvel’s Hawkeye...

Penned by Jonathan Igla, a writer on Mad Men and producer of Bridgerton, Hawkeye feels like a return to form for Marvel. Introductions are slick, call backs offer context and Jeremy Renner finally gets the spotlight. For more films than most people care to mention Hawkeye has been relegated to the back row. A bit part player in an action-packed melodrama, wrapped up in superhero garb and literally watching everything from a distance. At least In the opening double bill which streams from tomorrow on Disney+, there is a sense that this series is looking to redress that balance.

In a perpetually expanding multiverse this entity continues to accumulate history. Over the course of numerous films and television shows Marvel has turned internalised homage into an artform. Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision and Black Widow are just recent examples of the form being employed to execute this narrative sleight of hand. One that continues to be effective, as the opening minutes of Hawkeye prove all too well.

The first thing to leap out from Hawkeye is its desire to establish tone. This is comedic and warm yet tinged with mild threat. Time is spent reacquainting audiences with Hawkeye, by including extended scenes of family outings in a snow dappled Manhattan at Christmas. There is a cringeworthy reminder of past glories through song and dance, while Hawkeye himself wears the ravages of combat through hearing loss and PTSD. These moments are not only effective in illustrating the human cost of conflict, but also imbue him with an essential humanity. However, many people will argue that Hawkeye is not really there for the eponymous hero, but serves only as a platform to introduce Kate Bishop.

For her part, Hailee Steinfeld makes an immeasurable impression in the first two chapters. Plucky, athletic and empowered from the ground up, this arrow tooting female archer is an all-action adrenaline shot from the get go. Ably supported by Vera Farmiga as her mother Eleanor, Hailee Steinfeld delivers a nuanced character study with comic book pretensions. Her enthusiasm as Kate Bishop feels fresh, is fuelled by enthusiasm and ensures everything remains light, even when things go south.

Convoluted plot points hinge on a case of mistaken identity, while the eventual meeting between Clint and Kate comes across as organic rather than orchestrated. At this early stage, Hawkeye is too busy dropping fanbase Easter eggs within scenes to make any plot progress, which is unfortunate. However, since things move along quickly and the chemistry between them is so good, that ceases to matter right now.

Action set pieces are solid, character actor cameos establish potential parental friction, and come those end credits everything is in place. Not only is this encouraging since Hawkeye has limited time, but it implies that Marvel have learned some lessons. This may not have the invention of WandaVision, or that phase four feeling of Loki, but Hawkeye does finally offer Clint Barton his time in the sun.

Martin Carr

 

Filed Under: Martin Carr, Reviews, Television Tagged With: Disney, Hawkeye, Marvel, Marvel Cinematic Universe

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

WATCH OUR MOVIE NOW FOR FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Classic Retro Video Games Based on 80s UK TV Game Shows

13 Great Obscure Horror Movie Gems You Need to See

10 Great Val Kilmer Performances

10 Great B-Movies of the VHS Era

Crazy Cult 80s Movies You May Have Missed

When Movie Artwork Was Great

The Rise and Disappointing Disappearance of Director Richard Kelly

6 Great Rutger Hauer Sci-Fi Films That Aren’t Blade Runner

8 Essential Feel-Good British Underdog Movies

Great Cyberpunk Movies You Need To See

Top Stories:

8 Great Cult Sci-Fi Films from 1985

Marvel’s Black Panther spinoff Eyes of Wakanda gets a first teaser trailer

Movie Review – Jurassic World Rebirth (2025)

Movie Review – 40 Acres (2025)

4K Ultra HD Review – James Bond: The Sean Connery Collection

7 Mad Movie Doctors Who Deserve More Recognition

4K Ultra HD Review – Dark City (1998)

Movie Review – Heads of State (2025)

STREAM FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

FEATURED POSTS:

The Films Quentin Tarantino Wrote But Didn’t Direct

Films That DEMAND Multiple Viewings

Great 90s Neo-Noir Movies You Might Have Missed

Are we about to see The Rocknaissance?

Our Partners

  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket