Marvel's Hawkeye puts the underdog hero in the spotlight

Burbank, California – Marvel's new series, Hawkeye, stars Hailee Steinfeld and Jeremy Renner as Kate Bishop and Clint "Hawkeye" Barton.

Jeremy Renner reprises his role as Clint "Hawkeye" Barton in the Disney+ series Hawkeye.
Jeremy Renner reprises his role as Clint "Hawkeye" Barton in the Disney+ series Hawkeye.  © Imago/Prod.Db

The fourth live-action Marvel series gives fans a break from the messy multiverse while introducing a new superhero.

Hawkeye is a breath of fresh air and also finally gives the powerless hero his time in the spotlight.

Jeremy reprises his role as the master archer and former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who is just trying to spend quality time with his kids for the holidays.

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Of course, nothing goes according to plan in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

During his family excursion in New York City, Clint unexpectedly finds himself facing his past.

Thankfully, he has the brilliant and willing Kate Bishop, played by Hailee, to assist him.

The two decide to work together, which leads to a delightful partnership that the MCU desperately needs.

Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld on set on the Disney+ series Hawkeye.
Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld on set on the Disney+ series Hawkeye.  © IMAGO /MediaPunch

Hailee Steinfeld is the fresh face Marvel needs

Hailee Steinfeld plays Kate Bishop, a highly-trained Hawkeye fan who later becomes his protégé.
Hailee Steinfeld plays Kate Bishop, a highly-trained Hawkeye fan who later becomes his protégé.  © imago/PA Images

Much like WandaVision, the tragic events in Avengers: Endgame are clearly still felt in Hawkeye.

In Endgame, the trained agent went rogue as the vigilante Ronin after losing his entire family after Thanos' snap.

Thankfully, his reign of terror came to an end when his longtime friend, Natasha Romanoff a.k.a. Black Widow, found him and convinced him to help save the world.

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Yet, tragedy struck again after Natasha sacrificed herself for the Soul Stone, an act that led to the Avengers bringing everyone back.

Natasha's absence is still weighing heavily on Clint, as even his daughter notes in one scene that while the world does miss her, she was his best friend.

But Clint's grief is brief as he is quickly forced to reckon with his past sins when Kate unexpectedly puts Ronin back in the spotlight.

Kate has been a huge fan of Hawkeye since the hero saved her when Loki attacked New York in the 2012 Avengers flick.

Now the two must team up to fight off Ronin's old enemies – and boy, did Clint make some foes.

Disney+ gave fans an early Christmas gift by dropping not just one but two episodes of the MCU show.

Though the series isn't as twisty and magical as its predecessors, it offers plenty of action, heart, and that Marvel sparkle.

Plus, Hailee steals the show as the eager young archer who longs to protect her loved ones after she lost her dad during the 2012 attack.

All in all, fans are in for a treat this holiday season with the action series.

But there is an awkward musical number in the first episode that's a bit cringeworthy.

Hawkeye is now streaming on Disney+.

Cover photo: Imago/Prod.Db

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