If you’ve ever wanted to see Clint Barton dressed up like a one-eyed pizza dog and hacking away at gangsters in a ninja suit, the new Hawkeye TV show has you covered. While the Disney Plus series may not be as mind-bending or genre-mashing as some of its predecessors, it’s still a fun ride for longtime fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The first two episodes of the six-episode series are available now. The series follows Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld), a master archer and Hawkeye superfan, who is pulled into the action after stumbling upon his old Ronin costume. She finds herself dragged into a revenge mission against her former mentor’s henchmen, and a whole lot of ninja-y action ensues.
While some of the series’ more out-there moments can feel a bit heavy-handed, there is enough lighthearted humor and clever character beats to keep things from becoming too dull. The show also pays tribute to its comic-book roots with a handful of references — including a cheesy Broadway musical about Captain America’s most famous catchphrase and the scene-stealing “one-eyed pizza dog” nicknamed Lucky — that will delight fans.
Jeremy Renner, who plays the legendary Avenger, makes the most of his limited screen time, delivering a surprisingly likable performance that’s boosted by his solid supporting cast. He’s still a little bit too cool for his own good, but the writing and direction ensure that his character feels grounded and relatable.
The show also takes a relatively light-hearted approach to its overarching story, which might make it easier to digest than some of the more complex and bleak recent Marvel movies. The series could stand to add a few more hefty subplots, but it does just enough to avoid superhero fatigue.
With the slick visual design, kinetic action sequences, and charismatic performances, hawkeye tv show 2021 is a worthy addition to the Marvel family. It might not be as weird, surprising, or redefining as some of the other 2021 Disney+ series — WandaVision and Loki, for example — but it is fun, entertaining, and well-worth watching. It’s also a strong showcase for Hailee Steinfeld, who makes the most of her limited screen time. It’s no secret that she’s the best thing about this otherwise by-the-numbers MCU offering.