*This review will probably contain spoilers for Marvel Studios’ film Black Widow. You have been warned.
People were already talking mad reckless about how it was too late for a Black Widow movie before Covid hit; citing that for one, her character was dead in the current MCU timeline and two, they didn’t think anyone would want to see another chick flick after the obnoxious romp of girl power that was Captain Marvel. Neither of these points were valid but in all fairness, on this side of 2020 ya girl was also feeling a little meh at the prospect of watching this film.
I am happy to report however that Kevin Feige and the execs at Marvel Studios have done it again! We got our Marvel meets the Bourne Identity starring Scarlett Johansson. It gave me all the fight choreo, car chases and Russian spy intrigue that my heart could take!
Natasha Romanoff is on the run after Civil War when she gets a package from her long lost “sister.” Suddenly she is pulled back into the world she tried so hard to leave behind and embarks on a mission to take down the notorious “Red Room” that made her. Former Marvel critic David Harbour plays Alexei The Red Guardian, Russia’s only super soldier. His character is a selfish oaf who thinks he’s #BestDad because his two fake daughters became the most accomplished killers in the history of the Red Room. Rachel Weisz is Melina, a former Widow herself and Red Room scientist who seemed a little too aloof but pulled through at the end.
The star of this film in my opinion was Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Natasha’s younger sister. I couldn’t stand Florence Pugh’s ass in Midsommar but she turned in an A++ performance in this role. She was just as irking and endearing as one of my own four sisters and I couldn’t pull my attention away from her whenever she was on screen. Yelena is deliciously self aware of her trauma and of the world as it is and not how Natasha wants it to be and she lets her know it. The end credits scene sets Yelena’s character up to come back in the Hawkeye series and I cannot freaking wait to see her again.
I don’t want to give too much away because I want people to see this movie and put some damn respect on Natasha Romanoff’s name! This character has been with us for the better part of decade and her character has evolved to its final badass form and she deserves her flowers. Black Widow is what I wished Captain Marvel would have been; a story centered on a strong female protagonist without the story being about how she’s a strong woman. No need to beat audiences over the head with lady anthems in the background of every scene, just have a good plot with well developed and interesting characters that don’t do cringey bullshit unless it’s for a reason.
Also to be perfectly clear, this is the first movie I have watched in over a year where I didn’t have to wonder whether or not I enjoyed it. This is the first movie I have watched where I didn't immediately have ten criticisms at the ready before the credits were done. That’s not to say it was perfect but it was a damn good time. 8/10 would definitely recommend.
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