Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
Cast: Jeremy Renner, Hailee Steinfeld, Vera Farmiga, Tony Dalton, Alaqua Cox, Fra Fee, Linda Cardellini, Florence Pugh, Vincent D’Onofrio, Aleks Paunovic, Piotr Adamczyk, Carlos Navarro, Cade Woodward, Ava Russo, Clayton English, Ben Sakamoto, Adetinpo Thomas, Robert Walker Branchaud, Ivan Mbakop, Adelle Drahos, Pat Kiernan, Brian d’Arcy James, Zahn McClarnon, Simon Callow, Darnell Besaw, Phoenix Crepin, Sissi Kal, Franco Castan, Clara Stack.
The spectacles, thrills, close quarter fighting, and the heroes and villains, keep coming for Marvel, the stories in between the known and the future of the MCU are playing out, and the narrative is one that not only keeps the fan of the live action engaged, but urges the whole structure onwards, pushing the attention of the fan and superfan further, deeper into the history and possible outcomes which pave the way for the, hopefully, next large scale event planned.
Almost a year since the MCU unveiled one of the greatest and innovative mini-series of all time, WandaVision, the truck and influence of the stand-alone series keeps on rolling, and in a 12-month cycle that saw the Scarlett Witch and the vibranium cast synthezoid, the God of Mischief, Loki, and a whole host of others return to the screens after the dichotomy rich blending of the emotionally devastating and heart soaring effects of ‘The Snap’, one of the most endearingly human of all the Avengers, Clint Barton, returns as the ace archer Hawkeye, and in the six-part series that bears his Avenger’s codename, he is back with bang, and a new, unasked for, partner.
If the year was going to end in such a way for the team behind the MCU, one blighted by cinematic release pushbacks, by the serious high of a new Spiderman epic, one in which The Eternals received lack of faith from the crowds, then it couldn’t have gone for such a wonderful mix of observation from the perspective of the one hero in the Battle of New York who relies on sheer accuracy of spirit, and the drive of losing all around him as The Snap in the cruellest possible manner.
Whereas The Black Widow saw her life alter after the fight with Thanos, she re-emerged to take on the world through survival, Clint looked into his soul and found it covered in the need for vengeance, and it was that need for punishment that is the premise of Hawkeye, and the introduction of Hailee Steinfeld as the impressive Kate Bishop, arguably the one archer who can go bow for bow with the expert, and suitably armed, archer.
If taken as a stand-alone series, it would have been entertaining, it would have achieved something glorious, not least for the incorporation of a deaf protagonist in Maya Lopez, played with sheer sincerity by Native American actor and amputee Alaqua Cox, or for the sublime way that the artistry of the movements and the acknowledgement of dedication required to master such a weapon are grafted into the storyline; but as part of the MCU, with the inclusion of one of the leading lights of current British film Florence Pugh, with the mind blowing appearance of Vincent D’Onofrio in the role of Kingpin and all that entails from the serials under the Netflix banner, Hawkeye is a series bursting with energy, humour, and control, one that is not afraid to exemplify the passing of time and the sheer hunger of regret, one that rounds of a hugely enjoyable year for the graphic novel fan turned cinematic enthusiast and gives an urgent need for other ‘superheroes’ and determined characters overcoming the odds to follow down the same route.
A perfect shot, aimed with style, Hawkeye is not a serial to miss.
Ian D. Hall