Looking to continue on the DC Extended Universe's second chapters run of success so far. The third film in the DCEU's Rebirth project had long been tabbed as it's most ambitious yet. Described in the build up as a at times tragic love story which transcends time. In a stark contrast to the grounded story of Quiver or the sci fi nature of The Martian. This film would actually begin in Ancient Egypt and it would tell the story of Prince Khufu (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his beloved Princess Chay-Ara (Margot Robbie). Believed to be the descendants of gods, this duo were seen as liberators in some ways as they helped save many repressed people from their captors. Shown to both be formidable warriors who thanks to a mysterious Nth Metal were capable of flight and also were shown to have enhanced strength and durability. Of course while their abilities may have been similar, we'd see some differences in their ways on the battlefield. As Khufu was shown to be fierce tempered and a savage barbarian in combat while Hawkgirl was shown to be brave and fearless. A lot more compassionate of a warrior than her husband. These two seemed to make a great pairing on the battlefield and as rulers.
Sadly while their mission was a noble one it would make them many powerful enemies who were well aware of the legend of the hawks. The most powerful of which would be the emperor known as Julius Ceasar (Benicio Del Toro). The ruthless dictator didn't appreciate his plans for a takeover being thwarted by these perceived gods. In turn the ruler who was shown to be hiding a lot of secrets among his people would begin a conspiracy inside the Prince's own court to take hm down. This would include a high priest known as Hath-Set (Alexander Siddig). A devout follower of Anubis who believed that the worship of false gods and prophets would lead their people to eternal damnation. Hath-Set was easily manipulable for Caesar's plotting especially thanks to the secret love he held for princess Chay-Ara. What Julius may not have counted on however was Khufu's advisor Nabu the Wise (Joseph Marcell) who warned Khufu that Caesar may have been plotting against him. Unfortunately even Nabu couldn't recognize the internal threats posed to the prince and his princess.
What no one could predict however would be the fallout from this plot as while Hath-Set was swayed upon the fact that Khufu must die. He found himself conflicted with the need to kill Chay-Ara, this down of course to his impure thoughts and feelings about the princess. Yet being a devout man of faith, he'd soon manage to sway himself on the hard choice to be made believing it to be the will of the gods that these pretenders be cast into judgement. Setting up an assassination on the pair, Hath-Set's plot involved a staged attack by some fellow followers of Anubis posing as Caesar's guards. Playing himself as a victim in this attack, Hath-Set thanks to Caesar's surprising knowledge of the civilization understood that a normal weapon would not be good enough. He'd be forced to use one of the Hawks own weapons against them believing it to contain the very cause of their powers. In order to do so however not only would he need to be willing to sacrifice his own allies but also use some cunning. What followed would be some shocking scenes as Hath-Set used one of Hawkman's own daggers to slit Khufu's throat from behind. In response to this Hawkgirl would tackle Hath-Set but in doing so she'd be empaled with the same dagger.
Standing over Chay-Ara's body it appeared that Hath-Set had finally realized what he'd done and been apart of. Seeing the woman who he loved bleeding out and dying from her wounds, the distraught priest would plunge the very same dagger into his own heart. While the death of the prince and princess would ensure Caesar's victory. It also set in stone the true legend of the Hawk. As this trio through a combination of love, the gods and forces they couldn't quite understand would all find themselves on journeys through time. It'd start with them appearing in the bodies of new hosts with total amnesia as to who they were. Before events seemingly fated in motion would cause this trio to remember who they are and start this saga once more. Traversing through time we'd then be taken from Ancient Egypt to medieval times in England. Here we would see once more a time in war with the war being orchestrated by Genghis Khan (Benicio Del Toro). Curiously looking quite similar to Julius Caesar and employing a lot of his tactics, Genghis Khan's enemy in this war would be the noble King Arthur (Richard Madden).
In order to thwart war a proposition had been made for an arranged marriage. This would involve Genghis Khan taking a bridge from the royal family to appease tensions. The bride would be one of King Arthur's cousins Cecilia Pembrook (Vicky McLure). Shown to be a kind hearted woman who looked to do the best for her people, Cecilia may not have been fully on board with this arrangement but she was willing to do what she had to do for the best of her people. While King Arthur would seek to find another way to combat Genghis Khan and his forces. He'd reach out to the Wizard Merlin (Jeremy Irons) in the hopes that his trusted ally might be able to help here. It would be Merlin who went into his store of magical artifacts that he had acquired throughout the years. Here Merlin would find some of the fabled Nth metal weaponry, believing this maybe a chance to turn the war around Arthur would task one of his most loyal followers Brian Kent (Theo James) to become his champion. Wearing the armor and swords and taking the name of Silent Knight, we'd see Brian begin to see flashes of a time past these memories would be of ancient egypt and through the eyes of Khufu.
Revealed to be sharing the same memories and experiences that Khufu did, Silent Knight found himself with the same combat style that Khufu employed also. With Silent Knight having these visions we'd also see Cecilia begin to have visions remembering Chay-Ara. Slowly these two would be drawn to one another and begin to seek each other out as their visions and memories grew stronger. United together the pair would be overcome with the full power of the hawks and they would begin making a difference in this war. Genghis Khan would be stunned as in private he revealed the last time he faced this issue was in Egypt centuries before. Forced to look for allies in his cause to dethrone this new threat, Genghis Khan would be revealed to have a mole in Oswald Bane (Adrian Dunbar). Although soon Genghis would face a realization when Bane began having the memories of Hath-Set from Egypt and recognized Khan as Caesar. This would further add to Khan's intrigue as he come to wonder if the group was perhaps stuck in a time loop. Knowing that with Bane by his side believing his mission to be a just one. Khan would add to their ranks with a tailor known as Koenraad Von Grim (Richard Sammell). While to the outside world he may appear to be a humble tailor, the truth was that Von Grim was a twisted serial killer and proxy for Genghis.
This would all lead to the fateful night where Genghis and his forces attacked the castle of King Arthur and looked to lay siege to the lands. During this battle thanks to With a plan set from Genghis Khan to launch an assault. Oswald Bane very much gave him the keys to the castle while Koenraad Von Grim would covertly enter the frey. During this skirmish we'd see Silent Knight and Cecilia team up to defeat Koenraad with Silent Knight cutting the head off of his foe. What they didn't count on however was the full betrayal of Oswald Bane, having now inherited the memories of Hath-Set a long with his secret feelings towards Cecilia, Oswald would lead Silent Knight and Cecilia into a trap by Genghis Khan. This ambush would see the duo be forced to battle against many of Khan's forces and Genghis himself. Joined by King Arthur and many of his round table soldiers, this fight would begin to turn a corner as many of Khan's army would be forced to flee. Genghis Khan himself would also be forced to do so as a slash with a Nth metal blade would carve into his face and leave him badly wounded. During the skirmish however Oswald Bane managed to stab Cecilia in the heart before he and Silent Knight would cut one another down repeating the cycle from Ancient Egypt.
Having lost this war for the very first time Genghis Khan would check the damage to his face and appear to be horrified at this damage. Closing this chapter of the story he would swear that he would find out what was happening. It would be then that again the story location and time would take a jump, this time the biggest time jump as of yet as we'd head to early 1900s New Orleans. The focus would be on a hardened, weathered detective known as James Wright (Max Martini). Shown to be a heavy drinking, potentially PTSD ridden former soldier turned detective. James Wright's grizzled figure doesn't have many friends but lately he has been communicating with a former army buddy turned writer Samuel Hammett (Frank Grillo). Hammett lately has taken an interest in a serial killer who is operating in the town of St. Roch. Wright for his part unlike many detectives is willing to look into this killer who is targeting the poor. Knowing that many of the local police don't care about this, Wright and Hammett wonder if it is someone with connections. Hammett for his part has suspicions of a wealthy congressman known as Marshal Sauvage (Benicio Del Toro). Shown to be sporting some scarring on his face similar to the wounds suffered by Genghis Khan. Sauvage played himself as a former military man looking to help bring a better life for the people of St Roch.
While Sauvage may have been untouchable in St. Roch, there were criminals in this investigation who were not. One person that Wright was personally after was a career criminal known as Eddie Dawson (Winston James Francis). A vicious thug with whom Wright had history after Dawson beat his former girlfriend to death, Wright had long been on his case to bring him down unaware that Sauvage was personally employing Dawson as a hitman. During the investigation Wright one evening would begin to be haunted with memories of times past and visions of Khufu as well as Silent Knight. These visions would be thanks to Wright picking up a pistol which was revealed to be made of Nth Metal. Carrying this pistol with him as he looked to interrogate a mobster turned club owner Louie Moretti (Diego Calva). Wright would continue to be haunted with these visions when he'd be attacked by an enhanced Dawson who was using the name Lion-Mane. Enhanced by a chemical given to him by Sauvage, Dawson would savagely attack him in Louie's club and just as it looked like he may kill Wright, He'd be shot in the back with the Nth metal pistol by a lounge singer known as Sheila Carr (Megan Gale).
Carr would flee the club with Wright and Hammett but she'd find herself flooded with the same memories of Chay-Ara and Pembrooke. These memories and visions would bring her and Wright together while at the same time. Louie Moretti would be haunted by visions of Oswald Bane and Hath-Set, this would bring him to Marshal Sauvage as Louie revealed that he knew he was Caesar and Khan and he was willing to serve him. Angered that he was being haunted by this curse and the damage he suffered during his last conflict with the Hawks. Sauvage sought to go right on the aggression this time, telling Louie to get his men together to do an attack that night. Aware that they'd be hunted Wright and Carr wrote details of all they knew involving Moretti and it was Carr who was able to provide details of Sauvage's corruption which they gifted to Hammett knowing that they likely wouldn't survive the night but he could. With Hammett escaping with this information tragically both Wright and Carr would say farewell with one another as they mentioned seeing each other again in another life before engaging in a shoot out with Moretti and his men. During this shoot out we'd see Moretti, Carr and Wright all fall while days later in the papers Marshal Sauvage would be exposed as a ruthless criminal which forced him to go into hiding once more.
This would bring us to present day and a more modern timeline where quickly we'd be introduced to Carter Hall (Jamie Dornan). In many ways it appeared that Carter's character was reminiscent of an Indiana Jones. Shown to be quite wry, witty and sarcastic with a deep knowledge of ancient civilizations and languages. Carter to the outside was shown at points to be quite an urbane individual who was also a rough, globe trotting adventurer fully obsessed with archaeology and research. Despite his success and reputation in the archaeology fields, Carter did have some run ins with the law most notably a detective Dave Clark (John Hannah). A grizzled detective who had his fair share of demons, Dave Clark was not a fan of Carters having arrested him numerous times for many perceived offenses. His dislike of Carter very much seemed to be quite personal based on the pairs noted personality clashes and Clark having a more simplistic view on the world. One day Carter's life would be forever altered by the arrival of one of his rivals Daniel Evans (Sinqua Walls). While these two may have been against one another on many expeditions, there was a friendly rivalry and banter between the pair. With Evans actually seeking out Carter as he needed his help on his next expedition.
The prize was a high priced dagger origins unknown and the buyer was a collector and professor known as Curtis Knox (Benicio Del Toro). Also on the trail of the trail of the dagger however would be an individual known as Carl Sands (Patrick Schwarzenneger). Another rival of Carter Hall and Daniel Evans for that matter, Sands had earned the nickname of Shadow Thief for the belief that he'd always disappear into the dark. It was said unlike Carter who for most part was on the hunt for discoveries to share with the world and Evans who looked to sell to reputable bidders for research. That Sands had more selfish reasons for his crimes, purely driven by financial gain and willing to sell on black markets or keeping for his own private collection. While Carter had some doubts regarding whether he should align with Daniel and go against Sands again as it was teased that it was due to Sands that Carter was on the police's radar. It would be a later conversation with Carter's girlfriend Domina Paris (Ruta Gedimentas) that he'd make a decision. Domina was a lounge singer and budding starlet who in many ways was the total opposite of Carter. Yet both were ambitious individuals who looked to move up the ladder in their chosen fields. It would be Domina who encouraged Carter to go out on this job and unite with Evans.
To find the dagger however we'd see Carter and Daniel head to Egypt in the hopes of procuring this dagger from a tomb. As they got there however and began to see traps all around them, it appeared that there maybe more to this mission than would meet the eye. Taunted by Sands from the shadows who clearly delighted in having an advantage on the pair. Soon we'd find that even Sands hadn't accounted for what protected this dagger. As not only would their be traps but this tomb would be guarded by things beyond their imaginations. As they all come across the tomb in which the dagger was held, Sands showed himself to be unafraid of resorting to violence. This would be when Sands shot and wounded Carter badly. While Carter pulled himself along the ground, we'd see a group known as the Feithera attack and in this attack the Shadow thief would no longer be able to hide as he'd find the Bird like humans capable of seeing in the dark and hunting him down before swiftly killing him. During this skirmish, Daniel showed his true colors as he left Carter bleeding on the ground. Gradually being surrounded Carter would be introduced to a woman known as Northwind (Tati Gabrielle). Crouching beside Carter, Northwind recognized something in Carter's eyes as she put the dagger in his hand.
This would set apart a chain of events as Carter would begin to be flooded with visions of the Legacy of The Hawks. Shown to be the latest in the line to carry the memories of the other Hawks. Carter would find himself able to pull himself to his feet as he held the Nth metal dagger which seemingly began to heal him of his wounds. Allowed to leave the temple, Carter would find himself overwhelmed by the visions as he looked to arrange for transport home. While Carter may have been allowed safe travel however Daniel Evans wouldn't get off so lucky as during a conversation with Curtis Knox over the phone, Evans was informed that failure wouldn't be accepted and that his contract had been terminated. Ending the call an anxious Evans slowly turned to come face to face with an assassin known as Copperhead (Kristen Stewart). The vicious assassin quickly drove a small dagger right into Daniel's throat killing him without any hesitation or concern. Returning home and clearly troubled by his visions, Carter Hall would seek out an old friend known as Emma Ziegler (Grace Caroline Currey). The daughter of Carter's mentor, Emma was a researcher with a strong knowledge of both history and mythology.
Using Carter's visions as a map so to speak of various points in history. Emma managed to fully discover the stories of The Hawks tracing it back to Prince Khufu and Princess Chay-Ara. Through her competent research and knowledge, Emma began to tell Carter that Khufu and Chay-Ara weren't just seen as royalty but as gods capable of things beyond human comprehension until they was betrayed by Hath-Set for Caesar. As she trawled through the legends of the Hawk and the myths of the Silent Knight it was Emma who first began to notice some similarities in the stories bringing her all the way to the early 1900s. While the stories concerned her, what also did was the constant of one villain who she began to notice some facial similarities with. Telling Carter if this is a case of history repeating itself he must find out exactly who Chay-Ara is as those who target the Hawks always seem to kill her first believing that Hawkman needs Hawk Woman to center himself and without that he spirals into a dangerous rage which makes him an easy target. With Emma's threat Carter rushed home to check on Domina, but sadly it would be too late as she had been left for dead with a similar blade to the one Copperhead had used on Evans. It would be then that Dave Clark arrived on the scene and he arrested Carter believing him responsible for the murders of Domina and Evans.
Despite Carter's alibi of being with Emma during the time these killings, Clark remained of the belief that Carter was responsible despite Sands being a more viable suspect having been missing since the fated expedition. Thanks to Emma's alibi, Clark's captain Stewart Frazier (Dennis Haysbert) steps in and tells Clark to let Carter go. Shown to be a rational man and not impressed with Clark's attitude or actions. Stewart would tell the officer to go home as he authorized the release of Carter. Returning home, Carter would be consumed with grief at the death of Domina while Emma revealed that in her research a name kept flagging up. That name would be Vandal Savage, mentioning that they needed to find who Chay-Ara would be inhabiting. Using his visions and memories to draw an image of Chay-Ara as well as the visions he'd have of himself as the new Hawk. Able to sketch a photo of the woman he could see, Carter and Emma would soon recognize the woman as Shiera Saunders (Alicia Vikander). A wealthy socialite who has dedicated herself and her families wealth to all manner of good causes and charitable organizations. Shiera was shown to be an intelligent, sassy individual who truly wanted to help others in anyway she could. This included a support for women on the street venture which Shiera recently employed a down on her luck Karen Ramis (Effar Dor) to be the head of.
Karen had long come from abusive relationship after abusive relationship and very much had hit rock bottom until Shiera had come along. Meanwhile Sheira also funded research by Anton Hastor (Michael Fassbender). A research scientist known to be both a gifted mind and also a incredibly unpleasant, antisocial individual. Anton Hastor while not a fan of many people was shown to hold secret feelings towards Shiera Saunders. Slowly we'd see Shiera also begin to have visions of the Hawks being the latest in the line of Chay-Ara. Haunted by these visions, when Shiera met with Carter she quickly found peace in having someone to speak with about these visions. Joined as well by Emma, it would be Emma who told Shiera everything that she knew of the Hawks. This story would be overheard by Anton Hastor who dismissively branded it all as lunacy. Refusing to believe these crazed superstitious rantings, Hastor tried to make Shiera see his side and standby him. However to his anger Shiera would instead believe Carter and Emma. Angered at this perceived betrayal and also perhaps out of jealousy of Carter, Hastor would attempt to attack only to be knocked down by Carter. As Carter, Emma and Shiera would leave, we'd see Anton begin to have memories of Hath-Set revealing him to be the latest reincarnation of the High Priest. Soon Anton found himself met by Curtis Knox who Anton thanks to the memories he began to have would identify as Vandal Savage. While he may have previously been a non believer, Anton Hastor thanks to his visions seemed to believe the words of Vandal.
Vandal would reveal that he has long sought to kill the Hawks but has never quite succeeded in breaking this cycle of reincarnation. Saying that he is looking to break this cycle once and for all. Vandal Savage says that he is glad to see that this incarnation of Hath-Set is an educated man with a quest for knowledge like him. Saying he wants to know that Hastor is a problem solver and able to help him do so. Hastor suggests to break this cycle to only kill one of the Hawks and keep the other prisoner. This way there is no longer any reincarnation. Vandal nods in appreciation of this idea before he says that despite these centuries there are still things he does not quite understand still. This includes him looking to find the scripts of Nabu. Hastor would then ask how they would go about killing the Hawks and Vandal said that not only does he trust the visions of Hath-Set but he's also employed Copperhead to help clean the field. While Emma continued her research into Carter and Shiera, we'd see Dave Clark convinced of Carter's guilt go out of his way to find Jose Delgado aka Gangbuster (Bobby Soto). A mercenary and vigilante who had long been on the police and Clark's radar for his brutal methods, Clark we'd learn had in the past provided Gangbuster with information on Carter in the hopes he would bring justice.
Looking to find some further intel on the dagger and the Hawks. Emma, Carter and Shiera would soon be surprised when North Wind appeared and introduced herself using her name Norma Cantrell. She'd reveal how the Feithera were long time followers of the Hawks. Calling Khufu and Chay-Ara the last of the Thanagarians whose spirits have managed to traverse time to those worthy of continuing their legacy. Norma offered to help Carter and Shiera discover what they are truly capable of. Allowing Emma to come along with them also, the group would venture to Egypt where it all began. Here the group would be introduced to Silver Scarab (Diego Boneta), a warrior taken in by the Feithera who had pledged his life to protecting the legacy of the Hawks from the evils of the world. The group would then be introduced to Nabu. Revealed to not be human and instead a powerful entity in his own right. Nabu says he has never been someone able to intervene personally but he is able to advise. It would be Nabu who told us the origin of Vandal Savage as once a caveman who was alive during the era of dinosaurs. One fateful night seeking light, warmth and protection Vandal slept in the warmth of a meteor which hit the earth. While this meteor may have offered him that survival it also altered Vandal's DNA. Made immortal with healing properties and advanced intelligence. Vandal Savage quickly found himself pursuing power as a conqueror.
Since that time Vandal had taken many names and monikers such as Julius Caesar, Genghis Khan, Blackbeard and Alexander the Great as he looked to rule the world. While often times Vandal would succeed in some facet or another it would be during his wars with the Hawks that Vandal would usually experience a fall from grace and in power. Having warned them of the dangers of Vandal, Nabu stated that Vandal is banking on experience and the Hawks not fully being equipped to win these battles. Which is why the Feithera have been working hard to provide the new Hawks with the armor and weapons that the originals had. While Nabu said himself he was never quite sure of what Nth Metal actually was it had many properties and with it they had constructed a variety of weapons and armor for both Carter and Shiera to wear. Donning this armor we'd hear the duo first use the names Hawkman and Hawkwoman for the first time as they found the memories they had providing them with combat knowledge and techniques they didn't know they'd had. Knowing that they had to take the fight to Vandal and that he was going to be coming for them. The group agreed to return to Midway and prepare to meet him on home soil. They'd be joined by both Silver Scarab and Northwind who pledged to see Vandal Savage fall once and for all. As they returned to Midway however Carter found himself confronted by Gangbuster, the former teacher turned vigilante believed Carter to be a ruthless killer. As the two faced off Gangbuster taunted Carter about the death of Domina believing him to be a sociopath. In turn Carter flew into a violent rage clearly being taken over by the Hawk inside as he viciously beat Gangbuster. As the group realized Carter may kill Gangbuster it would be Emma who managed to talk Carter down.
Stopping his attack on a beaten Gangbuster who was confused at why he did so, Carter pledged that he was no killer but that he needed to control what was now apart of him. This revelation would stun Dave Clark who was also on the scene as Carter told him that he was wrong about him. Tragically however while Dave may have realized and recognized that he was wrong about his suspicions with Carter. Before Clark could do anymore research he would become the latest victim of the killer knock as Copperhead. Learning about the death of Clark, Carter would visit the police station and he'd meet with Stewart Frazier as well as his superior George Emmett (Omar J Dorsey). Meeting these two officers and explaining that these deaths including Dave Clark's are all connected to a dangerous man who is in Midway. The officers in response would agree and acknowledge that they could see something was going on and agree to help. At the same time Carter received a call that Anton Hastor had shown up at Shiera's home and had come in possession of the Nth Metal Dagger. Now fully corrupted by the visions of Hath-Set and enraged about being rejected by Shiera, Hastor seemingly had gone against his early conversation with Vandal and was attacking Shiera to kill. Returning home with several officers to aid him, Carter Hall would don his Hawkman armor to confront Hath-Set.
A confrontation which has built since the first scene of the film, Hawkman and Hath-Set would to battle with Hath-Set using the dagger to wound Carter. At the same time Copperhead arrived on the scene and would begin fighting with Shiera who had put on her Hawk Woman armor. Joining the fight would be Northwind and Silver Scarab who very much turned the tide against Hath-Set and Copperhead. Watching from the distance Vandal Savage would seem stunned to see his plans coming apart when he'd be confronted by Nabu, warning Vandal that the power of Nth metal was freeing him from his chains and soon he wouldn't be forced to just stand back and observe. This news caught Vandal off guard as he realized that this wouldn't just be a defeat but someone with the power of Nabu could truly come close to killing him. This in turn would cause Vandal Savage to flee, While Nabu on becoming free of the chains he had long been in would vanish into air. Meanwhile in the fight we'd see Hawk Woman manage to knock out Copperhead allowing officers to bind and handcuff Copperhead. With Copperhead beaten Shiera and Carter would work together and manage to do what none of the other Hawks had done by mortally wounding Anton Hastor and killing Hath-Set.
With Hath-Set fallen and Copperhead defeated. The war for now would be over but Northwind warned them that with Vandal Savage still out there, they will never truly be safe until he is stopped once and for all. It would then be Silver Scarab who revealed that Carter and Kendra won't be the only ones out there with the Hawk in them and that they need to find the others in order to save them from Vandal Savage. Both Carter and Shiera would nod their heads in agreement as they swore to honor those who had previously been apart of the Hawks Legacy by taking down Vandal Savage once and for all. With that we'd get a total shift in scene as a young woman (Willa Holland) would be seen laying on a coroner's table her death as the result of suicide. Yet abruptly Kendra would reawaken as the new Hawk Girl. With that the film would come to an end but there would be two post credit scenes which followed. The first of which would see Karen Ramis closing up her work place for the night when she'd be met by Vandal Savage. Talking about how sad he was to hear of how Karen suffered, Vandal promised Karen a chance to have true power. The second scene would show Copperhead in a jail scene as Frazier and Emmett discussed the next steps of her trial. However soon they would be cut short by the arrival of a mystery man (Jensen Ackles) in military uniform who asked to speak with the officers as the government had plans for someone with Copperhead's capabilities. |