First Hawkeye reactions praise 'street-level' view of MCU and Hailee Steinfeld's 'energized' Kate Bishop
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Early word of the next Disney+ Marvel series suggest Hawkeye hits its mark.
Press and TV critics shared their reactions after viewing the first two episodes of the Jeremy Renner- and Hailee Steinfeld-fronted superhero drama with praise for the "street level" approach to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes' Erik Davis tweeted, "I feel a definite Spider-Man: Homecoming vibe in terms of its ground-level NYC approach & mentor relationship." SlashFilm's Ethan Anderson and ComicBook.com's Brandon Davis referred to the show as a "street-level superhero series" with a "street level NYC" environment.
Mary Cybulski/Marvel Studios Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton and Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop in 'Hawkeye.'
Renner reprises his role of Clint Barton, a.k.a. Hawkeye, on the series set during Christmastime. His main mission is to get home to his family in time for the holidays, but it's not that simple. A face from his past resurfaces, prompting him to team up with a 22-year-old archer named Kate Bishop (Steinfeld) to unravel a criminal conspiracy.
Multiple reporters noted the series opens with a sequence that will be particularly satisfying for "longtime MCU fans," while many more hailed Steinfeld's performance.
"@HaileeSteinfeld is fantastic as Kate Bishop and no chance fans don't immediately fall in love with her character," Collider's Steve Weintraub tweeted.
"Eager Kate's dynamic with grumpy Clint is especially great," wrote ScreenRant's Ashley Crossan.
Also featuring in Hawkeye are Vera Farmiga, Fra Fee, Tony Dalton, Zahn McClarnon, Brian d'Arcy James, and newcomer Alaqua Cox. Cox will appear as Maya Lopez, a.k.a. comic book character Echo, who's reportedly getting a spin-off.
See more early Hawkeye reactions below.
Watched the first 2 episodes of #Hawkeye. What I love about the MCU on @disneyplus is Marvel's ability to go deeper on the characters in each series. @HaileeSteinfeld is fantastic as Kate Bishop and no chance fans don't immediately fall in love with her character. pic.twitter.com/HDXMoHHGTB
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) November 11, 2021
GOOD NEWS: I’ve watched the first 2 eps of #Hawkeye & it’s both merry & marvelous. There’s a GREAT opening that longtime MCU fans will love & I feel a definite Spider-Man: Homecoming vibe in terms of its ground-level NYC approach & mentor relationship. Hailee Steinfeld RULES pic.twitter.com/Q7VTZsxfi2
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) November 12, 2021
I’ve seen the first two episodes of #Hawkeye and really dug them. It gives you some interesting new insight into Clint’s POV and Kate is instantly incredibly endearing. Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld make for a really fun duo. Also, Lucky the Pizza Dog is a very good boy.
— Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) November 11, 2021
#Hawkeye opens on a really cool sequence that is super rewarding for long time MCU fans. I loved it.
Hailee Steinfeld is a great, energized Kate Bishop. Great new addition who hits the mark!
The future for Kate & Clint's dynamic seems really, really fun. Watched 2 eps, want 3! pic.twitter.com/BzBsuc5XmC— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) November 11, 2021
#Hawkeye has a really great sense of humor, balancing the action and dramatic stakes. Hailee Steinfeld kicks ass as the anchor of the show. She’s absolutely effervescent and has good chemistry with Jeremy Renner. And, of course, adore pizza-loving Arrow the pup. pic.twitter.com/5gjxIi12yb
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) November 11, 2021
Certain elements feel a bit too silly or superfluous, and the lingering, presumed villain feels cartoonish. Perhaps it's because there's something else bubbling beneath the surface. I have theories. Otherwise, it's nice to have a low stakes, street-level superhero series again.
— Ethan Anderton (@Ethan_Anderton) November 11, 2021
Also loving how the show is adding more emotional layers to Clint's experience and digging into past events' effect on him. Got very high hopes that'll continue and make him an even richer character.
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) November 11, 2021
Really enjoyed the first 2 episodes of #Hawkeye!
Every Marvel D+ show so far has had a completely different vibe & Hawkeye's lean into the Holiday season is a blast. Eager Kate's dynamic with grumpy Clint is especially great. Can't wait for more Hailee 💜💜💜💜— Ash Crossan-Kenobi 🎃 (@AshCrossan) November 11, 2021
I really enjoyed the first two episodes of #Hawkeye.
It's light and breezy in a very Shane Black way but the depths to which it simultaneously explores Clint's trauma and Kate's privilege really surprised me. Not 100% sold on the story yet but the characters are excellent. pic.twitter.com/wR6kg2Gou4— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) November 11, 2021
The first two episodes of #Hawkeye were decent, but nothing that grabbed me after the first episode’s killer opening. Kate Bishop is a terrific character and Hailee is excellent. But the pacing is off, scenes drag, and I’m waiting for it to take off. I give it three RENNERs. pic.twitter.com/6hhGXrwJOL
— Sean O'Connell (@Sean_OConnell) November 11, 2021
Hawkeye premieres on Disney+ this Nov. 24.
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