Black Widow - Film Review

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Black Widow is a film that has been in development for a long time, with fans clamouring for a solo outing for the character ever since her debut in Iron Man 2. The film's release was delayed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic but finally premiered in July 2021.

One of the strengths of Black Widow is its exploration of the character's past, filling in gaps in her backstory that have been hinted at but never fully explored in the MCU. The film delves into Natasha's (Scarlett Johansson) training as a Black Widow, including the brutal conditioning and mind control techniques used by the Red Room to mould their agents into ruthless killers.

The plot delves into Natasha's origins and her complicated relationship with her surrogate family, the Red Room, which trained her as a highly skilled assassin. Natasha confronts her past as she reunites with her "sister" figure, Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), and her former "parents," Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour) and Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz).



The story sees Natasha and her family uniting to take down the Red Room's current leader, General Dreykov (Ray Winstone), who has continued to manipulate and control young girls into becoming assassins like Natasha once was. Along the way, they face off against the formidable Taskmaster, a masked antagonist with the ability to mimic the fighting styles of others.

As Natasha confronts her past and tries to make amends for her previous actions, she grapples with issues of family, identity, and redemption. The film is filled with action-packed sequences, emotional moments, and explores themes of sisterhood, betrayal, and the cost of heroism.

Scarlett Johansson delivers a strong performance as Natasha, showcasing her character's vulnerability and strength in equal measure. Her chemistry with Florence Pugh, who plays Yelena, is another highlight of the film. The two actresses play off each other well, with their banter and sibling rivalry providing some of the film's best moments.

Pugh's performance as Yelena is a standout, with the actress bringing a combination of humour and pathos to the character. Yelena is a damaged and disillusioned former Black Widow who is struggling to find her place in the world after being freed from the Red Room's control. Her arc throughout the film is a poignant exploration of trauma and recovery, and Pugh handles it with sensitivity and nuance.

David Harbour and Rachel Weisz also deliver strong performances as Alexei and Melina, respectively. Alexei, also known as the Red Guardian, is a washed-up former Soviet super-soldier who harbours delusions of grandeur. Harbour's portrayal of the character is both humorous and poignant, and his relationship with Yelena provides some of the film's most touching moments. Weisz's Melina, meanwhile, is a scientist who was responsible for developing the mind control techniques used by the Red Room. Her relationship with Natasha is complicated, with the two women sharing a bond that is both familial and adversarial.

The film's villain, Taskmaster, is a formidable opponent for Natasha and her team. The character has the ability to mimic the fighting styles of his opponents, making him a difficult adversary to defeat. The reveal of Taskmaster's identity is a clever twist that ties into the film's themes of family and redemption.

The action in Black Widow is some of the best in the entire MCU, with Shortland and her team delivering thrilling and well-choreographed set pieces. The film's use of practical effects and stunt work adds an extra layer of realism to the action, and the fight scenes are not over-reliant on CGI. The standout sequence is undoubtedly the prison break scene, which is a masterclass in action filmmaking.

The film's humour is also well-executed, with several laugh-out-loud moments throughout. Harbour's portrayal of Alexei is a particular highlight, and his interactions with Pugh's Yelena provide some of the film's funniest moments. The film's humour never detracts from the seriousness of its themes, however, and the balance between humour and drama is well-maintained throughout.

One of the criticisms of the film is that it may feel too little too late for the character of Natasha Romanoff. As a prequel set after the events of Civil War, the film does not add much to the character's arc in the Avengers films and may feel redundant to some viewers. However, I would argue that the film is still a worthy exploration of Natasha's character, and it serves as a satisfying send-off for the character.

The film also introduces some new elements to the MCU that have potential for future storytelling. Yelena's character, in particular, has been well-received by audiences and there are already rumours of her appearing in future films or even getting her own spinoff series. The film's post-credits scene also teases the upcoming Disney+ series, Hawkeye, and sets up a potential storyline for that show.

Overall, Black Widow is a well-crafted film that delivers on its promise of exploring Natasha Romanoff's past while also providing plenty of thrilling action and emotional beats. Shortland's direction, combined with the strong performances from Johansson, Pugh, and the rest of the cast, make for an enjoyable and satisfying addition to the MCU. It may not be the most ground-breaking film in the franchise, but it's a solid entry that adds depth to one of its most beloved characters.

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