Black Widow Movie Review: A Blockbuster That's Worth The Wait
Black Widow is a 2021 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. The film is directed by Cate Shortland and written by Eric Pearson from a story by Jac Schaeffer and Ned Benson. It stars Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, along with Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Rachel Weisz. Set after the events of Captain America: Civil War (2016) and prior to Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the film follows Romanoff as she confronts her past.
Black Widow has been in development since 2004, though work did not begin in earnest until April 2015. Casting began in June 2018, with principal photography lasting from May to October 2019 in Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, as well as in Norway, Budapest, Morocco, and the United States.
| Name | Portrayed by | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow | Scarlett Johansson |
| 2 | Yelena Belova | Florence Pugh |
| 3 | Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian | David Harbour |
| 4 | Melina Vostokoff | Rachel Weisz |
Plot
In 1995 Ohio, young Natasha Romanoff is living with a fake American family as part of her training in the Red Room. Her handler subsequently betrays her and kills the family, and she rediscovers her former "sister" Yelena Belova, who is also training in the Red Room. In the present day, approximately two years after the events of Captain America: Civil War, Romanoff is on the run from Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross and the anti-terrorism organization known as the Task Force. She returns to Ohio and finds the hidden Red Room facility where she grew up, but discovers that it is abandoned.
Romanoff is then attacked by Belova, who now works for a mysterious organization called the Thunderbolts. They fight, with Romanoff gaining the upper hand before Belova escapes. Romanoff visits her old Red Room trainer Melina Vostokoff and learns that following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Red Room was privatized into a criminal organization that controlled Belova. Romanoff, Belova, Vostokoff, and Alexei Shostakov—the Red Guardian, who was both Romanoff and Vostokoff's trainer and lover—come together to take down the new forces that control the Red Room.
The group traces the new Red Room to the mysterious villain Takis, who was responsible for its privatization. They travel to Takis' base in a remote mountain area in Norway to find clues to his location, fighting his guards along the way. After finding Takis, they learn that he had gained control of the Red Room with the assistance of a man named Dreykov, who Romanoff assassinated when she escaped the Red Room years ago—or so she thought. Dreykov survived and worked with Takis to rebuild the Red Room, using pheromone-based mind control to keep the Widows under their control. With Takis' help, Dreykov has built a massive new Red Room facility beneath a dam in western Russia.
The group then travels to the dam. Romanoff forces her way in and confronts Dreykov, who uses his chemical control to turn Belova against her. While Vostokoff and Red Guardian help evacuate the mind-controlled Widows, Romanoff confronts Belova and Dreykov. Dreykov reveals a system that will release chemicals that will put all Widows around the world under his control. Romanoff is able to free Belova from Dreykov's control, and they defeat him.
In the aftermath, S.H.I.E.L.D. arrives at the dam, with Director Rodriguez giving Romanoff a chance to walk free without consequences in exchange for her help with future missions. Romanoff and Belova choose to remain together as "sisters". In a mid-credits scene, Val, who was responsible for Belova's attack on Romanoff earlier, meets with Yelena and gives her a new mission to kill a target, indicating a new organization has gained control over the Red Room:
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Action and Visuals
The action sequences in Black Widow are thrilling and intense. The hand-to-hand combat and stunts feel gritty and realistic. Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh have great chemistry during the fight scenes and their team up is very entertaining to watch. The visual effects are spectacular, especially in the climactic third act set in the Red Room facility. The production design is also impressive, with distinct settings ranging from Natasha's quaint childhood home to the high-tech Red Room base.
Music
The musical score for Black Widow is composed by Lorne Balfe. It has a very spy-thriller inspired sound with fast-paced, percussion-heavy tracks during the action scenes. The main theme for Natasha is emotive and highlights her inner turmoil. The score incorporates Russian musical influences which is fitting considering Natasha's origin and backstory. The soundtrack is very complementary to the visuals and pacing of the film.
Review
Black Widow is an entertaining espionage-thriller and an overdue solo film for the character of Natasha Romanoff. Scarlett Johansson delivers a fantastic performance in her final outing as Natasha. Florence Pugh is perfectly cast as Yelena and steals scenes with her dry humor and physicality. David Harbour and Rachel Weisz round out the main cast and provide memorable support. The action sequences are thrilling, the visuals are stunning and the score is suitably propulsive.
The plot does retread familiar territory for a spy film but the focus on Natasha and her makeshift family gives the story a relatable emotional core. Director Cate Shortland brings a gritty style to the blockbuster film with engaging and visceral action set pieces as well as intimate character moments. For MCU fans and those looking for an entertaining spy thriller, Black Widow delivers with high stakes, humour and heart.
Overall, Black Widow is a memorable film that gives the iconic character a fitting send-off and promising new relationships to explore in future installments. With compelling performances, skilfully crafted action and a poignant story of found family, Black Widow is a brilliant blockbuster that was worth the long wait.