We weren’t expecting any auto action in Hawkeye, so we were pleasantly surprised when a multi-car chase came out of nowhere in the third episode. While evading the Tracksuit Mafia, Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) and Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) desperately need to steal a ride.
It turns out Clint has an appreciation for American muscle cars, as he breaks into a crusty Chrysler New Yorker Brougham instead of a nearby Dodge Challenger to avoid damaging it. But then the villain Maya Lopez played by Alaqua Cox steals it anyway and gives chase.
With its mix of action, comedy, and character development, Hawkeye is a great example of how a car chase can service a story in a film or TV show. The situation forces the two reluctant heroes to work together for the first time, with Clint doing the driving and Kate taking out enemy cars with Trick Arrows while hanging out the moving car. There’s also a superb one-take shot at the start from inside the Chrysler, immersing you into the action. Much to Clint’s dismay, the Challenger is a crumpled wreck by the end of the chase.