Ever since Natasha Romanoff was introduced in 2010's Iron Man 2, she has been exactly what others expected to see. From the flirty, yet competent assistant to the loyal soldier who emerged from the fires that forged her with her conscience intact, she has been many things to many people, all in her effort to escape her past. In Marvel Studios' Black Widow, that past finally catches up to her, sending the longtime Avenger on a raw, emotional journey filled with heart, humor and intense action.
Boasting more than 20 films, the extended Marvel Cinematic Universe catalogue has hit a point where -- inevitably -- recent installments beg comparison to the ones that have come before. In this case, Black Widow shares a lot of blood with its predecessor Captain America: The Winter Soldier, in that it explores a piece of the title character's past that they thought was long since over. With its espionage elements and ragtag group of underdogs, Black Widow is sure to please The Winter Soldier fans.
However, that's where the similarities between Black Widow and The Winter Soldier begin and end. Black Widow is more concerned with pulling Natasha out of her element than it is about treading that familiar ground. While the film engages her spy skills, it also matches her against supporting characters she can't manipulate her way around. Though she has spent years apart from them, they have all the same Red Room training and trauma she does. As such, Black Widow provides fertile ground to explore Natasha's character in a way never before done on-screen. The film seizes this opportunity and runs with it, particularly in the delightful banter between Natasha and her sister Yelena, but also in the quieter moments with Rachel Weisz's Melina.
In this sense, Black Widow also spins itself into a competent standalone film. While the film naturally mentions Natasha's adventures with the Avengers, it is much more focused on digging through her past, long before she joined the superhero team. Knowledge of previous MCU entries will certainly enhance the experience, especially in a pinnacle callback during the emotional climax, it isn't entirely necessary. Considering how heavily the last few MCU movies tied into one another and focused on building the universe, this is a refreshing change of pace. Black Widow almost feels like a forgotten Phase One entry, a straightforward narrative from an age before Infinity Stones and Mad Titans.
Even as the film delves into her past, Natasha can't help but be a little outshone by the larger-than-life personalities surrounding her. While Black Widow stays true and consistent to the character Scarlett Johansson has built over the past decade, Natasha has always been a subdued character, careful in her words and actions. As such, she can't help but get overshadowed when she shares the screen with Florence Pugh's magnetic Yelena and the bombastic Alexei Shostakov, played by an effervescent David Harbour who relishes in the role. It's a shame that Natasha isn't necessarily the most memorable part of her own film, even as Johansson brings her all in scenes where she's either alone or one-on-one with another character.
Of course, Black Widow is as much Yelena's story as it is Natasha's, and Pugh acts accordingly. As Black Widow builds her up to be Marvel's next big thing, Pugh proves to be more than worth the price of admission. In one moment, she's laugh-out-loud funny, dropping those trademark Marvel quips with ease; the next, she brings a grounded emotionality that pulls on the heartstrings, bringing even this reviewer to tears. Thanks to Pugh's superb performance, Yelena is every bit the beating heart of this film, and she is sure to be an instant fan favorite. The future of the MCU is in good hands.
Marvel Studios would also do well to keep director Cate Shortland on board. Black Widow is a stunning film. Shortland brings as much care to the smaller emotional beats as she does to the over-the-top action sequences. The film has layers of personality in its framing and lighting choices, making it one of the most visually engaging entries in the MCU so far.
Long overdue, Black Widow is the film Natasha Romanoff has always deserved. The movie only goes to show what a shame it is that there will be no more stories with Natasha moving forward, even as there is just as much hope to be found in Pugh's Yelena. Nevertheless, Black Widow finds clever ways to play with Natasha's long MCU history, while also reckoning with the past we've only heard about. Anyone who has followed the character's film journey closely will be rewarded.
Directed by Cate Shortland, Black Widow stars Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, O-T Fagbenle as Mason and Rachel Weisz as Melina Vostokoff. The film arrives in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access July 9.
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