Marvel Studios: Black Widow review

Jul 12 2021 Justin Eggen

Marvel Cinematic Studios’ (MCU) “Black Widow” is finally here. We have received the first Marvel movie in two years, and it is exploding with a charged-up adventure that provides the long-awaited backstory of Natasha Romanoff, while following a present-day Natasha on the run after Civil War.

Romanoff, better known as Black Widow, is given the movie she should’ve had in the MCU’s phase two. Being one of six original Avengers, and the only female, her arc has been treated softly compared to her Avenger companions, but that’s not because Marvel hasn’t tried. Before Marvel Studios was a powerhouse in Hollywood, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige pushed for a Black Widow movie, which, if green-lighted, would’ve come during MCU’s phase 2. Though that’s a topic for an entirely separate discussion.

Today, we are talking about the Black Widow film that was made. And man is it awesome.

Verdict: 7.7/10

The film starts off with Natasha as a young girl living in Ohio in 1995 alongside her mother, sister, and father who have to abruptly leave the country. S.H.I.E.L.D. is after her father, who, along with her mother, is a Russian sleeper-cell agent and is not actually blood-related to her, or any of her sisters. Upon narrowly escaping the U.S., with an exhilarating action sequence, the family lands in Cuba and is immediately broken apart by Russian forces. The girls are taken to the infamous ‘Red Room.’ Boom, opening credits. From the onset of the film, Marvel pulls you in.

Shortly after “Captain America: Civil War,” Natasha is on the run after stalling the King of Wakanda, T’Challa, from capturing Cap and Bucky, and she quickly goes into hiding. It is not long before she is called to action and runs into her sleeper-cell family who is seeking out revenge for the Widow program, which subsequently closes an arc that completes her entire story. At the heart of this film, is a well-grounded commentary on human trafficking, as well as the notions of self-control and free will.

“Black Widow” by Marvel Studios

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I have to admit that I wish this movie was longer. It was bold, exciting, and funny, all the things that make a great Marvel film. But the villain was not given enough screen time to be believable as a real threat, leaving me aware that it was going to wrap up with a handful of missed opportunities that should’ve been seized. The action scenes were bone-crunchingly pleasing as the fighting cinematography was handled with extreme care and attention.

Overall, I believe this film is a 7.7/10 and an excellently violent addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

P.S. Below is a link to a great video going over Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff’s complete character arc.