Will Ferrell's latest foray into Netflix land is 'The Hawk', a five-hour romp that's got everyone talking – but not always in a good way. This dated comedy series sees the veteran comedian play Lonnie Hawkins, a loud-mouthed, golf-loving ladies' man on a mission to reclaim his former glory.
Ferrell's back in his comfort zone as the lovable oaf, à la 'Anchorman' and 'Zoolander', but this time he's got a new role: that of a has-been golfer with more attitude than a PGA Tour regular. His character's on-again, off-again rivalry with Luke Wilson's Golden Fisk is the stuff of golfing legend, but it's not just about the game – it's about Lonnie's journey back to the top, and all the ridiculous antics that come with it.
The trouble is, 'The Hawk' feels like a relic from a bygone era. The jokes are stale, relying on outdated gags about male sexuality and cringe-worthy metaphors that don't quite land. And don't even get me started on the pacing – what was once quick-witted banter has been stretched to breaking point, leaving viewers feeling like they're watching paint dry.
Molly Shannon gets a look-in as Lonnie's long-suffering wife Stacy, but her dialogue often feels repetitive and more annoying than amusing. The cultural landscape of comedy has shifted dramatically since Ferrell's heyday in the early 2000s – we've moved on from crude, cartoonish humour to something more nuanced and witty.
'The Hawk' struggles to adapt, presenting a protagonist who's rewarded for his 'toxic traits' and unfiltered idiocy. It raises questions about whether this underdog narrative still has a place in modern comedy. Can Ferrell's enduring charm be enough to win over audiences, or is 'The Hawk' destined to become a relic of the past?