Natasha Romanova, aka Black Widow, first appeared in Marvel Comics’ Tales of Suspense #52 in 1964. Stan Lee, Don Rico, and Don Heck were the brainchild, and she was initially an Iron Man villain before becoming an Avenger. In 2004, Lionsgate announced plans for a live-action movie written and directed by David Hayter, but the project fell through. Marvel Studios reacquired the rights in 2006, and the character made her big-screen debut in 2010’s Iron Man 2. Played by Scarlett Johansson, the character has become one of the most popular Marvel Cinematic Universe. Around 2017, work on a Black Widow solo film had started, with Cate Shortland attached to direct. The film had an initial May 2020 release planned but saw delays due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. After several delays, Black Widow finally hit theaters and Disney+ in July of 2021.
%
Rating
Synopsis
Following the events of Captain America: Civil War, Natasha “Black Widow” Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) is on the run. While trying to stay in hiding, she’s attacked by a mysterious assassin called Taskmaster, though she manages to escape. Wanting to learn more about her assailant, Natasha goes to Budapest and reunites with her sister Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh). It turns out that Dreykov (Ray Winstone), the man who kidnapped them and turned them into trained killers, sent Taskmaster. These killers are known as “Black Widows,” One found a way to reverse the chemical mind control used. Dreykov operates out of the “Red Room,” so Natasha and Yelena find their surrogate parents for help. Said parents are former Russian operative Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour) and elder Black Widow Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz). It’s up to our heroes to save the victims of Dreykov’s influence.
Review
Ever since her debut back in 2010, audiences had been clamoring for a Black Widow solo film. While it’s great that we finally got it, especially after the pandemic, it might’ve been a little too late. There’s no real sense that Natasha is in any real danger considering the events of the later films. It would’ve felt more timely and appropriate had this film come out in maybe late 2016/early 2017. That said, this is still a reasonably entertaining spy thriller with some pretty impressive action sequences. Scarlett Johansson still delivers a solid performance in the title role if this is her swan song. Florence Pugh is a welcome addition as her more sarcastic, wise-cracking personality compliments Johansson’s more stoic and severe delivery. David Harbour practically steals the show as the larger-than-life Red Guardian, and he has good chemistry with Rachel Weisz.
Even though his screen-time is limited, Ray Winstone is effectively creepy, even if playing the stereotypical evil businessman. Unfortunately, Taskmaster doesn’t get that much to do aside from fighting people for all the build-up. We’re told backstory on the character, but they have no lines, and we don’t get any personality. The MCU is known for its humor, and while there are some funny moments, it often clashes with the tone. There’ll usually be a theatrical, serious scene that reels you in only for a joke to be shoehorned in. Admittedly, there are some heartfelt moments with some humor injected in, but it’s more inconsistent than balanced. This film will provide a decently entertaining experience at slightly over two hours, but I don’t see this leaving an impact. Overall, Black Widow is a reasonably entertaining spy thriller, but it could’ve been much better.
Black Widow is currently playing in theaters and on Disney+. Click the link for more: https://bit.ly/36quTpS.
