Watching “Hawkeye” is like putting on your Christmas pajamas and sitting by a fire. And honestly, the small-scale hijinks seen in the first two episodes of “Hawkeye” (the two given to critics for review) are precisely what the doctor ordered after all the multiversal shenanigans and Celestial-happenings of 2021’s other Marvel Studios efforts. That’s what happens when you focus the story on the family man Avenger, who doesn’t have a suit of armor or god-like powers. READ MORE: ‘Sing 2′ Review: Garth Jennings’ Charming Sequel Is The Animated Equivalent Of A Top 40 Radio StationĪn MCU fan wouldn’t be wrong in thinking that “Hawkeye” has the makings of a smaller-scale Marvel tale. How could Ronin, the character Clint became during the dark time after Thanos’ snap, be out and about when the costume is safely locked away at the Avengers facility? Enter Kate Bishop ( Hailee Steinfeld), who drags Clint into a madcap adventure right around the Christmas holiday involving gangs, the uber-wealthy, and the hunt for that aforementioned ninja suit.
However, that lovely family time is interrupted when Clint sees a vision from his past, Ronin (the murderous character he played at the beginning of ‘Endgame’) is causing issues in NYC. They go to an Avengers-inspired musical (much to the chagrin of Clint) and even for a nice Chinese food dinner to discuss their next holiday-inspired adventures. READ MORE: ‘Eternals’ Review: Chloé Zhao’s Marvel Entry Is Ambitious, But A Convoluted Cosmic MisfireĪfter finally reuniting with his family after the events of “ Avengers: Endgame,” Clint Barton ( Jeremy Renner), aka Hawkeye, is just trying to enjoy a Christmas vacation in New York City with his three kids.
It’s the TV show equivalent of a guy with arrows fighting against an alien invasion-it tries its best and only succeeds based solely on its likeability and heart.
This isn’t a series that will forever change how you think of the MCU (like “ Eternals”). It doesn’t have any flashy, Earth-shattering concepts (unlike “Loki,” “What If?” or the upcoming “Spider-Man: No Way Home”).
“Hawkeye,” the new Disney+ streaming series, fills a void in the Marvel Cinematic Universe much like its title character does in the Avengers.