Black Widow

Black Widow (2021)

 
0.0
 
3.9 (3)
65 1 1 0
Listed by
Trish Smith
Updated January 05, 2025
Black Widow

Movie Info

Year Released
Where to Watch this Movie

Movie Overview | Black Widow (2021)

Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy, and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger.

Share this

User reviews

3 reviews
Overall rating
 
3.9
Entertainment Factor
 
4.3(3)
Story
 
4.0(3)
Actors Performance
 
4.0(3)
Cinematography
 
4.0(3)
Sound Track
 
3.0(3)
To write a review please register or
Love It!
Overall rating
 
3.2
Entertainment Factor
 
4.0
Story
 
3.0
Actors Performance
 
3.0
Cinematography
 
4.0
Sound Track
 
2.0
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been on a global cinematic journey for over a decade, with some characters evolving into legends and others, unfortunately, fading into the background. Among the latter, Black Widow, portrayed by Scarlett Johansson, was one of the few to remain consistent, powerful, and dependable, though always existing in the shadow of her more flamboyant counterparts like Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor. "Black Widow," released in 2021, after years of speculation and delays, is the solo film that the character deserved, offering not only a deep dive into her past but also a captivating and action-packed adventure. However, while the movie succeeds in many areas, it also reveals the limits of what a prequel can achieve in an expansive cinematic universe. 

"Black Widow" is set between the events of "Captain America: Civil War" (2016) and "Avengers: Infinity War" (2018). Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), on the run from the government after violating the Sokovia Accords, finds herself reconnecting with her long-lost family and facing the ghosts of her past. This film is the first true solo outing for Black Widow, a character who had been integral to the Avengers but never received a film to explore her backstory in depth. While many fans had clamored for a Black Widow movie for years, the timing of this release felt somewhat peculiar, arriving after Natasha’s emotional death in "Avengers: Endgame" (2019). Nevertheless, this film proves that the character deserved far more attention than she had been given in earlier films. 

The most compelling aspect of "Black Widow" is its exploration of Natasha's backstory. Much of her history was shrouded in mystery, and through this film, we learn more about the events that shaped her into the person she is. The movie opens with a glimpse of Natasha’s childhood, set in 1995, when she lived in Ohio with a family that was, in fact, an undercover Russian sleeper cell. We meet her "parents" – Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour), the Red Guardian, a former Russian super-soldier, and Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz), a scientist – as well as her "sister" Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), a fellow assassin. These early moments establish a core theme of the movie: the tension between family and duty. The characters’ relationships are a combination of love, betrayal, and survival, and they ultimately offer the heart of the story. 

As Natasha reconnects with her family, she faces the haunting memories of her time as a trained assassin in the Red Room, a Soviet program that brainwashes and conditions young girls to become lethal weapons. The movie does a fantastic job in showing the trauma Natasha has endured and the complex emotions she harbors towards her family and herself. While Black Widow has often been seen as a "cold" character in the MCU, this film humanizes her and shows the scars left by her upbringing in a brutal, high-stakes environment. 

The most significant character arc in "Black Widow" is Natasha’s emotional journey, but it is complemented beautifully by the rest of the family. The most surprising and delightful performance comes from Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova. Pugh brings a refreshing energy to the film, delivering her lines with humor and vulnerability. Yelena, although an assassin like Natasha, represents a new generation of women in the MCU. She challenges Natasha's perceptions of herself and her past, making their relationship dynamic and engaging. Their sisterly bond is both heartwarming and poignant, adding a much-needed layer of emotional depth to the narrative. 

David Harbour’s portrayal of Alexei Shostakov, the Red Guardian, is another highlight of the film. As the "Russian Captain America," Alexei is a complex character who struggles with his own identity. He seeks the glory of his past while dealing with his own self-doubt and frustrations. Harbour injects humor and gravitas into the role, providing a much-needed balance to the often intense moments. Rachel Weisz, playing the stoic Melina Vostokoff, adds another layer to the family dynamic with her calm intelligence and emotional complexity. 

This ensemble of characters, each dealing with their own scars from the past, is the emotional core of the film. The narrative explores themes of betrayal, family, and redemption, which make for a deeply resonant experience. In the end, Natasha learns that, while she cannot change her past, she can build a new future by confronting her demons and reconciling with those she loves. 

While "Black Widow" excels in emotional depth, it is also an action-packed spectacle, true to the MCU’s standards. The film delivers thrilling set pieces, with Natasha using her espionage skills to outwit adversaries. The action scenes are well-executed, particularly the intense fight sequences, which are grounded in Natasha’s training and physical prowess. The choreography is fluid and intense, blending martial arts with the more tactical approach Natasha has honed over the years. 

The standout action scene involves a fierce hand-to-hand combat sequence between Natasha and Yelena, showcasing their incredible skill and their sibling rivalry. This is a memorable moment that balances the film’s physical action with emotional stakes, highlighting the tension between the two characters. 

The film’s climax, which takes place on a floating Russian facility known as the "Red Room," delivers a satisfying payoff. It is here that Natasha confronts her past head-on, facing off against the villainous Dreykov (Ray Winstone), the mastermind behind the Red Room, and the menacing Taskmaster (a mysterious, deadly adversary). The final battle is a thrilling sequence, though not without its moments of predictability. 

However, the villain aspect of "Black Widow" feels somewhat underwhelming. Dreykov, played by Ray Winstone, is an ineffective antagonist whose motivations and actions are not fully explored. His villainous plans to manipulate and control the Black Widows lack depth and resonance, making him an easy character to dismiss. The film's other villain, Taskmaster, is similarly underdeveloped. While the character presents an interesting challenge for Natasha, the identity and motivations of Taskmaster, revealed towards the end of the film, are unsatisfying and fail to provide a truly compelling adversary for the hero. In a movie that excels in emotional storytelling, the villains fall flat in comparison. 

The tone of "Black Widow" is one of its strengths. While it maintains the trademark humor and action of the MCU, the film never shies away from darker themes. The film’s pacing is well-balanced, as it seamlessly weaves together character moments, emotional beats, and intense action scenes. There are a few slower sections that delve into Natasha’s psyche and her attempts to reconnect with her family, but these moments allow the audience to fully understand her transformation from a trained assassin to a hero willing to sacrifice everything for the greater good. 

"Black Widow" is a triumph for Scarlett Johansson’s character and provides a fitting farewell to a beloved MCU icon. The film is a mix of high-octane action, deep emotional exploration, and family dynamics, all while laying the groundwork for the future of the MCU, particularly with the introduction of Yelena Belova. While the film’s villains are lackluster and some of the story beats are predictable, "Black Widow" succeeds in providing a layered narrative that explores Natasha Romanoff’s past while giving her the chance to finally step into the spotlight. For long-time fans of the character, this movie serves as a much-needed and satisfying chapter in her journey, making it clear that Natasha Romanoff will forever remain an integral part of the MCU’s legacy.

Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 0 0
Good Movie
(Updated: January 04, 2025)
Overall rating
 
4.8
Entertainment Factor
 
5.0
Story
 
5.0
Actors Performance
 
5.0
Cinematography
 
5.0
Sound Track
 
4.0
It is at the prison break scene in the movie that I realized Black Widow was going to be another superhero movie filled with things we’ve seen again and again. Don’t get me wrong, I love a big bang sky threat, but in this film, the spectacle overshadows some of the critical themes Black Widow tries to address with CGI overload. This is what I should have expected from a superhero film, right? Maybe my expectations were too high, but it’s not wrong to want something different from these films, especially the first and last for Natasha Romanoff.

The movie never goes deep enough on how Natasha was and is still affected by what the Red Room did to her and her real family. There are plenty of scenes of Scarlett Johansson just staring off into the distance and flatly delivering one-liners, but nothing memorable from her to latch onto.

What the audience should have seen from Natasha, we get from Yelena. In the scene where Red Guardian, Natasha, Yelena, and Melina (Rachel Weisz) reunite and have dinner, you feel Yelena’s anguish having gone through indoctrination by the Red Room and how real their family felt to her. Natasha is just sitting there.

The Task Master is the films weakest component. The character never feels like an imposing threat. From the trailers, I knew Taskmaster was a woman, but the reveal is anti-climactic. If anything, the ferocious Red Room assassins feel more villainous because they seem deadlier, and they are everywhere.

The more I process it, the more I understand Black Widow isn’t so much a send-off for Natasha as it is an introduction for Yelena. The film is more invested in her and her struggle. This makes sense because the character will be in the MCU for the foreseeable future.

In addition, Florence Pugh is excellent and having the time of her life in the role. Johansson and Weisz sleepwalk through their performances until the end. Almost like the actresses can’t wait for it all to be over. Black Widow has remained one of my favorite characters since Iron Man 2, and to see her going out like this is unfortunate.

Despite all these complaints and all the squandered potential, I STILL LIKE BLACK WIDOW! Cate Shortland has a sharp eye for directing action and understands how to shoot a fight scene by using timing and space as leverage so the audience can see everything. Black Widow is mostly entertaining and staunchly dramatic—which I thought was a nice touch.  

Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 0 0
Black Widow (2021): A Long-Awaited Dive into Natasha’s Past
(Updated: January 04, 2025)
Overall rating
 
3.6
Entertainment Factor
 
4.0
Story
 
4.0
Actors Performance
 
4.0
Cinematography
 
3.0
Sound Track
 
3.0
Marvel Studios’ Black Widow delivers a thrilling, emotional, and long-overdue exploration of Natasha Romanoff’s origin story. Released in 2021, this film serves as both a prequel and a farewell to Scarlett Johansson’s beloved character, offering fans a glimpse into her mysterious past.

Set between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, Black Widow follows Natasha as she confronts the unfinished business of her shadowy past. The film introduces her surrogate family, including the charismatic Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, who steals nearly every scene with her sharp wit and emotional depth. David Harbour as the Red Guardian adds a comedic and heartfelt touch, while Rachel Weisz’s performance as Melina offers a mix of stoicism and warmth.

Director Cate Shortland crafts an engaging mix of action and drama, balancing explosive fight sequences with moments of introspection. The movie’s tone shifts between gritty spy thriller and Marvel-style blockbuster, offering a refreshing change of pace from other films in the franchise. The action choreography is intense, particularly the hand-to-hand combat, which feels grounded and visceral.

However, Black Widow isn’t without flaws. The villain, Taskmaster, is underwhelming, with a backstory that feels rushed and lacking emotional weight. While the film effectively showcases Natasha’s resourcefulness and resilience, it occasionally struggles to justify its place in the larger MCU timeline, feeling like a missed opportunity to have been released earlier in the franchise.

Despite these issues, Black Widow succeeds as a tribute to Natasha Romanoff and a platform to introduce Yelena, who seems poised to carry on the mantle in future Marvel stories. It’s a bittersweet goodbye to a character who has been an integral part of the MCU since its early days.

Rating: 7.5/10
Black Widow is a thrilling and heartfelt addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though it might leave fans wondering what could have been if it had been released at the right time. 

Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 0 0

More Movies

Sponsored