(L-R): Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and Yelena (Florence Pugh) in Marvel Studios’ BLACK WIDOW, in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.

Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff has been a staple in the MCU nearly since its inception. Her first solo outing aptly titled “Black Widow” like all large films in 2020 was delayed, but more so, this movie feels like it’s coming more than a decade later than it should have. Giving a major player in the MCU their first solo outing, after having already killed off the character in the present time-line seemed like a waste of time. That was my impression going into this one, and topped with some mild MCU fatigue, I wasn’t expecting much from seeing a story I assumed I already knew.

However, that wasn’t the case. Taking place between “Captain America: Civil War” and “Avengers: Infinity War” it does deliver a smaller story set during the time Romanoff was on the run. But it wasn’t the traditional origin story. It flashes on the beginnings of the character, and it also uses this as the foundation for the plot. Yet the plot-line itself is able to feel a bit unique, and there is plenty of emotional layering to invest in between all the amazingly orchestrated action-sequences. All of which resulted in a movie I enjoyed MUCH more than I was expecting to.

The film doesn’t have global ramifications. Millions of lives aren’t on the line. But there is still plenty of dramatic tension and character moments to craft a plot that has immediate ramifications, without necessarily having lasting ramifications. It’s a smaller movie and there is a Phase One flavor and atmosphere that I very much enjoyed. It’s gritty and simple in its structuring, but the performances, and a collection of awesome action scenes create a movie that you can sit back and have plenty of fun with. It has bits of effective humor to break all the tension and the emotional weight at just the right times. With Cate Shortland’s direction showcasing an artistic eye during both the climatic movements and the quiet character driven ones.

Something else this movie has going for it was the casting. We all know what Johansson will deliver as Romanoff. But the performances from Pugh, Harbour, and Weisz deliver all the personality needed to create appeal in this pseudo-family. Throughout this movie you get to know who these people are, what drives them, what connects them, and it all flows nicely from this collection of performances. I loved Pugh as Yelena Belova. She was charming and brash and tough, yet vulnerable all at the same time in places, and Pugh was fantastic in capturing it all. Including a charming chemistry with Johansson that really propels the engagement while watching.

The stunt-work and fight-choreography adds plenty of visual appeal to the action. The set-pieces were climactic and thoroughly enjoyable. It’s an appealing blend of fighting, gun-play, and larger set-pieces that gradually escalate. The stakes do rise despite the familiarity of the plot-line and it all helps account for a less than intimidating, and not overly unique villain despite Winstone’s efforts. And in the end, seeing Black Widow lead a film alongside Pugh was far more entertaining than expected. It finally felt like a Marvel movie that broke free of the recent formula a bit, and I can always appreciate that.

Grade 90%

Anthony J. Digioia II - SilverScreen Analysis © All Rights Reserved.

Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) in Marvel Studios’ BLACK WIDOW, in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.

(L-R): Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and Taskmaster in Marvel Studios’ BLACK WIDOW, in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access. Photo by Jay Maidment. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.

(L-R): Yelena (Florence Pugh), Alexei (David Harbour) and Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) in Marvel Studios’ BLACK WIDOW, in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access. Photo by Jay Maidment. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.

Yelena (Florence Pugh) and Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) in Marvel Studios’ BLACK WIDOW, in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access. Photo by Jay Maidment. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.

(L-R): Melina (Rachel Weisz), Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and Yelena (Florence Pugh) in Marvel Studios’ BLACK WIDOW, in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access. Photo by Jay Maidment. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.

(L-R): Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), Alexei (David Harbour) and Yelena (Florence Pugh) in Marvel Studios’ BLACK WIDOW, in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access. Photo by Jay Maidment. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.

“Black Widow” (REVIEW) A Small Scale MCU Adventure that Delivers Large Scale Fun

Grade 90%

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