Is the new Marvel television series on Disney+ ok for children? Hawkeye Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide to the Disney Plus newest streaming TV show. No spoilers! #Hawkeye May contain commissioned links.
Marvel Hawkeye Review | Safe for Kids?
Are you aiming to watch a new Marvel mini series yet? I am. Tis the season for an all-new Marvel television show, and for once it’s like unwrapping a Christmas present early – tied with a bow. Anyone else getting some serious Die Hard feels?
With Jeremy Renner back as Clint Barton, a new sidekick, a Christmas backdrop and a ton of Marvel Easter Eggs to uncover, the movie-turned-into-a-series of our beloved Avenger looks promising for a fun, funny and family-filled adventure for cozying up on the couch for the holidays. But is Marvel’s Hawkeye safe for kids? After a shocking WandaVision season, an intense The Falcon and the Winter Soldier release, and an emotional Loki show, I’m not so sure.
In this Hawkeye Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full TV-14 rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested for this six episode Disney+ series. A no-spoiler parent review of the television show, how does Hawkeye compare to WandaVision, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Loki, and the Marvel movies that we love? And most importantly, is Hawkeye ok for kids?
Visuals
Per the usual, Marvel doesn’t disappoint in the visuals department. A snowy New York City backdrop amidst explosive, action-packed sequences and fun camera tricks, Hawkeye certainly is reminiscent of the past Avengers movies. At 47 minutes for episode one and 49 minutes for episode two, Marvel fans will appreciate the modern day reality, blended nicely with CGI effects.
Story
Jeremy Renner reprises his role as Hawkeye post Avengers: Endgame and teams up with Marvel show newcomer Hailee Steinfeld (“Bumblebee,” “Pitch Perfect,” “Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse“) as young Kate Bishop as an over-eager and inexperienced sidekick.
The narrative of this mini series is gritty, raw, emotional and dark, very much reminiscent of Hawkeye’s post-Endgame feelings with a roller coaster of emotions including grief, loss, identity struggle, stonewalling along with glimpses of hope and love. A lighter plot (definitely not as complicated as Loki), shorter episode screen time and heavy action storyline carries this polar opposite duo into a very fast paced New York setting during Christmastime. Very Die Hard-esque, it’s an easily digestible MCU series that’s not quite as mind-blowing as Loki, not quite as dark/series as Falcon, and not quite “out there” as WandaVision.
I foresee a lot of plot holes filled, cameo appearances, flashback reveals, Easter Eggs and more fun action sequences to carry for the remaining 4 episodes. I love the little snippets of dark humor from Jeremy Renner and the awkward yet familiar newbie super hero tagalong of Steinfeld, who I hope embodies more of who Hawkeye is from the comic books. Should be a fun Marvel way to shoot ourselves into the holidays.
That TV-14 Rating Explained
Is Hawkeye safe for kids? I’m skeptical. Ironically the last time we were told that a Marvel television series was PG rated (looking at you, WandaVision), we had a surprise last couple of episodes rated TV-14 that scared my 8-year old child. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier got pretty intense and realistic at times. And Loki had a lot of heavy adult dialogue. So is this new Marvel TV series about to shock our television screens again? Or is this more of the Marvel predictable age rating for kids?
Why is Hawkeye rated TV-14? Hawkeye is rated TV-14 for “language and violence.” Is this Hawkeye Review | Safe for kids? Here’s what to expect for parent guidelines for this second ever PG rated Marvel television mini series. But warning: I only had access to preview the first 2 episodes of the series. So this TV-PG rating breakdown is strictly for the first 2 episodes only. (Both Episode 1 and Episode 2 will be released at the same time on Wednesday, November 24, 2021.)
Adult Themes. For the first two episodes, very mild for Marvel. There are many Hawkeye flashbacks to the other Avengers movies, and brief insight to grief and loss. However, thankfully this Marvel series shows no sexual innuendo or other signs of uncomfortable adult themes that may be cringe-y for parents, so far. There are instances of trespassing, property destruction and other “illegal” actions by the main heroes, so definitely encourage your kids to not break the law.
Violence. Overall, very similar to the Avengers and Marvel movies. Again, compared to the other Marvel television series, not as intense as The Falcon and The Winter Solider. However, there are multiple uses of weapons (including swords, guns and arrows), kill shots with weapons, explosions, mild to moderate blood seen, death, and mild to moderate suspense. Again, if your children have been watching the MCU along with you, this is on par with what we have experienced so far.
However, one big difference is that Hawkeye is one of the first shows where we see intense animal cruelty, including the violent kicking of an animal with the words “I kill you!” This is seen towards the back half of the first episode, so keep in mind for your sensitive animal loving children (and adults).
Language. LOTS to say about that. I counted a total of 3 swear words in Episode 1 and 6 bad language uses in episode 2, including the words sh*t, H-E-double-hockey sticks (not the place), and d@mmit.
For more sensitive parents, there are also other foul language uses between the two episodes including derogatory words like “douchebags” and “idiot,” and phrases that include “Oh g-d” and “Jesus.” Overall, mild compared to the Marvel films, but pretty on par for the TV-14 mini series shows.
Episode 3 Update: Overall same feel as the first two episodes. More action/violence, 3 swear words, more humor, more relationship build. I’ll take it. Felt the shortest of the episodes so far.
Episode 4 Update: Overall, same feel. 6 swear words, 4 g-d references, alcohol consumption.
Episode 5 Update:Same feel. 2 swear words. One “Jesus” reference.
Episode 6 Finale Update:What an ending! 1 hour long, with one post credits scene. 3 swear words and overall – best early Christmas present from Marvel.
What Hawkeye Age Rating is Recommended for Children?
Is Hawkeye kid friendly? And how does Hawkeye compare to the WandaVision, Falcon and Loki seasons? The feel of the first two episodes fall between WandaVision and Loki. Hawkeye is not quite as intense and violent as The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, not as “weird” as WandaVision, but not as deep adult-focused dialogue as Loki either. Kind of a middle of the road Marvel mini series (so far, with a HUGE asterisk for episodes 3-6), the new Marvel Hawkeye show seems to fall inside of the usual Marvel parent guidelines.
What kid age is recommended to watch Hawkeye? I would recommend Hawkeye for kids as young as 7-years old, keeping in mind that these children have been watching and following along with the MCU from the beginning. Due to heavy bad language and Marvel-intense violence, parents who have not allowed their younger kids to watch the Marvel movies and shows (sans most of WandaVision), will probably also follow those same guidelines.
For episodes 1 and 2, I will be allowing both my 13-year old son and 8-year old daughter to watch Hawkeye. However, since I have not seen episodes 3, 4, 5, or 6 and with that surprise WandaVision episode that was thrown in, I will be pre-screening for my daughter’s nightmare factor.
The Overall
Is Hawkeye the present we’ve been waiting for this Christmas? So far, I think so. A little humor, a little plot hole filling, a little Marvel Easter Egg hunting, a little more Hawkeye backstory to reveal, there’s definitely a lot for Marvel fans to appreciate and uncover as this 6-part mini series unfolds. The first two episodes definitely will hold the attention of the audience and be appreciated by little and big Marvel fans alike.
I for one, cannot wait to see what surprises are in store for Clint Barton and Kate Bishop. I’m aiming for some post-Endgame flashbacks. Family encouraging so far, I definitely foresee many a Wednesday night cozied up on the couch with my kids as we enjoy a little more holiday cheer. A Christmas MCU series release wrapped with a bow? Bullseye.
Follow Hawkeye on social:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawkeyeofficial
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/hawkeyeofficial
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hawkeyeofficial/
- #Hawkeye #DisneyPlus
Looking for more parent reviews like Marvel’s Hawkeye Review | Safe for Kids? Check out these popular posts:
Wednesday is the new Friday. The new Marvel Studios television series Hawkeye streams on Disney+ starting Wednesday November 24, 2021 for episode 1 and episode 2, with new episodes every Wednesday through December 22, 2021.
I was invited to screen Episodes 1 and 2 of this Disney+ mini series in exchange for this Marvel’s Hawkeye Review | Safe for Kids? All photos courtesy of Marvel/Disney. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie reviews, updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!
