A big idea squeezed into a little film, Hawk is a short film that really needed to be much larger to realize the grandness of its narrative. With moments of beautiful cinematography and a sweeping score, there's a lot of promise that's let down by a slow moving storyline that never quite crosses the finish line. Set in the rolling hills and towering forests of a mythical land, the film centers on a young man's journey through the harsh dualities of the world he exists within. Wrapped in mysticism and folklore, the film bites off a little more than it can chew with an epic journey that often feels more like a pastiche of moments.
Rowan, the protagonist, starts off as a bright-eyed young boy in the care of his grandfather, Gawain. It's never quite clear as to what they're in pursuit of, despite the viewer spending a lot of time with them at the start of the film. This holds true for a lot of sequences that follow. The mysticism that Gawain indulges in and teaches Rowan is never really explored enough for us to grasp its relevance, in spite of the fact that the film hinges on understanding the importance of its existence in Rowan's world. The cinematic visuals are alluring and provide the grandiose atmosphere required but are lost to the rushed storytelling at vital parts of the film.
Overall, the story feels condensed and, as a viewer, you're constantly trying to fill in the gaps. The promise of the story is what brings you to the film and the cinematography and score keep you engaged but the story is never done justice. If ever there was a candidate for a feature film re-telling, this would be it.
Rowan, the protagonist, starts off as a bright-eyed young boy in the care of his grandfather, Gawain. It's never quite clear as to what they're in pursuit of, despite the viewer spending a lot of time with them at the start of the film. This holds true for a lot of sequences that follow. The mysticism that Gawain indulges in and teaches Rowan is never really explored enough for us to grasp its relevance, in spite of the fact that the film hinges on understanding the importance of its existence in Rowan's world. The cinematic visuals are alluring and provide the grandiose atmosphere required but are lost to the rushed storytelling at vital parts of the film.
Overall, the story feels condensed and, as a viewer, you're constantly trying to fill in the gaps. The promise of the story is what brings you to the film and the cinematography and score keep you engaged but the story is never done justice. If ever there was a candidate for a feature film re-telling, this would be it.