Film: Black Widow
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbor, Rachel Weisz, William Hurt
Director: Cate Shortland
Review: Klep Napier
Rating: 3X’s out of 5X’s
At last, Marvel is back in cinemas is what most MCU fans are screaming as the studio releases their 24th theatrical installment to their already expanding 10+ year cinematic storyline with Black Widow.
Black Widow follows Marvel Studios alumni Scarlett Johansson, returning as the Soviet spy assassin Natasha Rominoff. The film follows Rominoff between her time on the run after Captain America Civil War and her return to save the world along side her super friends in Avengers: Infinity War!
So what did we think? Well Black Widow on the surface appears to be a less important backstory, simply an attempt to give its roses to a loyal starlet [Johansson] who’s character demise came far before audiences really got to know her. But that is not the case at all.
In fact, not only does Black Widow deliver the origin story this character deserves it also catapults the future narrative of the MCU in just under 2.5 hours.
Directed by Cate Shortland, the story dives into the backstory of Natasha’s family history and trauma she carries with her after she and her younger sister Yelena [Pugh] are stripped away from their parents only to be transformed into killer assassins. Once we flash forward to (almost) present time, circumstances after The Avengers fall apart, lead Natasha on the run and back home to confront her past.
This film does what it’s supposed to do, but only if you really care about this franchise and it’s key characters. Black Widow fans and those who just cannot get enough of the Marvel continuity will happily dive into this blindly and come out the other end just fine. There is even enough room for casuals to latch on to, but that is what makes this film too little too late. Widow is easy to love, but knowing her fate once the credits roll makes this also a bit of bitter sweet experience.
What you can look forward to are the performances from David Harbor, who portrayal as The Red Guardian are unforgettable and entertaining as Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova comes off a lot more edgier and cooler than Johansson most times. And of course it wouldn’t be a solid Marvel Studios project without a post credit scene to keep us hanging on to while we walk to our cars. Trust me, if you’re into this stuff and all caught up on The Falcon and The Winter Solider, you don’t want to miss this post credit scene.
Overall the Black Widow is a fine addition to the MCU as an action packed storyline filler to help progress the overall narrative without introducing new and unknown characters. And although this film is not Avenger level, it is also far from grounded.
It would appear that having the heart and courage to jump out of falling space stations is a super power these days.
If we had to compare it’s grandiose action sequences, we would easily say, Captain America: The Winter Solider but It’s still a very fun, ass kick of a ride.
Check out Black Widow in the theaters or on Disney Plus now!