Black Widow Review

Black Widow is the 24th entry of the connected world known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is a solid indication that said world may actually be stronger than ever when it comes to fan engagement.

Set after the events of Civil War, Natasha has nowhere to run and finds herself embroiled in a deepening mystery that surrounds her past and secrets she swore she had given up. As Natasha lends a hand in this investigation it opens up old wounds that are in need of healing.

Scarlett Johansson is probably the best she has ever been in the MCU in this movie due to the fact it is her film and she commands the screen. We get to see Natasha free and clear of the Avengers and able to think quickly and act with poise and determination. I know for some the timing of this movie feels really off and chronologically it very much is. However, I also firmly believe after having watched the film if you look past all of that you can see the merit it does have for Natasha and her motivations and what it means for the future.

That's where MCU newcomer Florence Pugh comes into play. She stars as Yelena Belova, who is trained the same as Natasha and who as a child Natasha lived with and grew up with as a sister for some time. Things have changed, Yelena is fiercely determined like Natasha and the two must put aside years of trauma and pain to finally work together. Pugh is the counterbalance to Natasha and the future of the Black Widow Legacy. It shows us that Natasha did have something to lose and we catch a glimpse as to how we will see Yelena next in the MCU before this film closes the curtain on Natasha.

Almost everything you can be critical about has an explanation in this film. Natasha deserved to get this movie before her death in Endgame. Fair point countered by the emotional weight this now gives Yelena to seek vengeance for her death. Taskmaster being a different version of the character is explained with a narrative plot point that actually makes sense and is hard to argue with. The only argument is that it's not comic accurate. Which it isn't. However for this plot the reason and motifs were serviceable to add emotional depth to the grand Finale.

One other complaint I constantly hear is that it was delayed and delayed. Yes that is also true but has not been used as an excuse to not see any other movie that was supposed to be released before the pandemic even began. Personally even going forward there should be an at home viewing option that goes along with theaters. Sometimes it's hard to make time to go to the cinemas especially with larger families and other commitments and comfort should always be an option.

The last complaint I hear is a serious one and it's a valid one which is that Marvel didn't release a Black Widow movie along with the rest of the mainstream Avengers because they didn't think a female led superhero movie would work. It's fair to say that equality is important and should always be regarded as such. I think attempting to use that as an excuse to boycott the film only helps to prove their point. We need to be watching and critiquing the work in a way that keeps the dialogue open. That was different leadership for Marvel during the early days of the MCU and we can see how much has changed.

I honestly believe that a Black Widow movie back then would have felt more rigid. It would have just been a placement piece onto the next Avengers film. This movie allowed for us to see more of Natasha and her motivations that fueled her to continue to be heroic right up until her death. She never had the typical family that most kids are accustomed to and trusting people was not something she ever saw herself doing. This movie really allowed us to see that she had grown so much as a human being and how even in the times of so much uncertainty she tried to keep thinking for herself and do the right thing.

Now Yelena must use the skill set she has that is similar to Natashas and figure out the truth for herself. Her big sister and protector is gone and it seems like there is an agenda at play to manipulate her into blaming the wrong person. We shall see what the future holds. I truly believe this was a passing of the guard that could not have happened back when Black Widow would have simply received an origin story. I think Marvel has taken a grittier approach to the more recent stories with more emotional depth and this was yet another shining example of that. I think that is one more thing that would have been overlooked had this film been rushed sooner. It shows us true character growth and also lays the foundations for the Hawkeye series to come. Solid entry into the MCU.