Hawkeye Cast Review – Marvel’s Lesser-Exciting Avenger and His Sidekick

While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has no shortage of marquee names and blockbuster thrills, it’s also got a lot more characters that deserve to be in the spotlight. That’s one of the reasons that a series like Hawkeye, which follows Marvel’s least-exciting Avenger and his new sidekick, is so important. The Disney+ series, starring Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld, gives those lesser-known heroes the chance to shine in their own action-orientated buddy story.

The show is a solid entry into the MCU canon, and it has introduced some new faces, as well. Most notably, the series features the first appearance of Maya Lopez, better known as Echo, leader of the nefarious Tracksuit Mafia. The deaf vigilante has a rich backstory, and her debut in the show is just as exciting as the team’s clash with the bad guys.

Despite bringing on a few fresh faces, the bulk of Hawkeye is still about the reunion of Clint Barton and Kate Bishop. The two bonded over the course of Season 1 and have a solid dynamic that has the potential for a passing of the torch if the show continues its success.

Of course, a big part of that is thanks to Hailee Steinfeld’s strong work in the role. The actress, who has had a busy career with films such as Bumblebee and Pitch Perfect, gives Kate Bishop a real sense of pluckiness that makes her more than just another over-eager sidekick. In fact, Digital Spy calls her a “strong addition” to the Marvel canon.

The first episode of Hawkeye features a lot of high-octane action with fun camera tricks and explosive set pieces. However, it’s not as much of a superhero extravaganza as some might have expected. The episode starts with a flashback to the Battle of New York in 2012 and a young Kate watching the action unfold from her father’s penthouse. Her reckless juvenile streak lands her in trouble with the nefarious Tracksuit Mafia, prompting Hawkeye to take her under his wing.

Fortunately, the pair will have some support in the form of Vera Farmiga as Eleanor Bishop, Fra Fee as Kazi and Tony Dalton as Jack Duquesne. The three add some depth to the story and bring a bit of humor to the proceedings as they work alongside Barton.

The second episode of the show strays a little from its initial structure, but it still manages to deliver plenty of excitement and fun. It’s clear that the show is a hit with audiences, and it’s easy to see why. As the series goes on, it’ll be interesting to see if it can maintain its momentum and pull in even more viewers. Considering that this is the first time an MCU miniseries has gotten a six-episode run, that’s a tall order.