For a film that lasts no longer than forty minutes Hawk is a rather interesting and deeply emotional story which is very enjoyable to watch. The film focuses on the life and story of a young boy - Rowan - who must make amends for the mistakes he has made. The film deals with some very complex ideas and these are highlighted through various mediums during the film.
One outstanding feature of the film is the use of visual effects and transitions which allow an ordinary forest to be transformed into a realm of myths, gods and powerful natural forces. The lighting is also used and set up such that there is an ominous sense of foreboding which is present throughout the film; this allows viewers to engage in the film and understand Rowan's fears. Overall the visuals of the film are sapid and highly impressive to watch.
The soundtrack to Hawk is something which must not go unnoticed as it lifts the mood in places and plunges viewers into doubt and worry at others; this has the effect of enthralling the viewer and leading them through the film, and also helps to emphasize key moments very well.
The one major downfall of the film is that the plot can often get very choppy and confusing which meant I wondered what was going on at certain points, the use of flashbacks and flash-forwards is effective but can also leave viewers slightly perplexed during a considerable amount of the film. The script is good and the use of a narrator allows some clarity as to what is going on however there are a couple of points where it becomes slightly cliché and it would've been better to have watched the proceedings rather than have them narrated to us. Nonetheless as the film progresses it becomes ever more apparent why we were shown the various time shifts and by the end of the film everything is cleared up and understandable.
The camera work allows for confusion and pandemonium to thrive and we are able to see the events unfold through the eves of the protagonist which aids to our understanding of the story and the reasons for certain actions. The epic landscapes and rolling clouds used as backgrounds are also effective and play greatly on the concept of isolation from the civilized world. We also get a glimpse at some of the emotions in the film and the settings similarly highlight some of the characters feelings very astutely.
Overall Hawk is a very enjoyable film, combining fantasy and mystery with a story of growth and loss; although it can be quite confusing at points, all is explained by the end of the film and so Hawk is definitely worth watching.