12A, 2hrs 13 mins
Over ten years after she made her debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the MCU's first female hero is finally getting her own standalone film. After playing second fiddle first to Iron Man and then Captain America, Natasha Romanoff's past is at last being explored in a solo outing that is part origin story, part epic spy thriller. Directed by Cate Shortland, and starring Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz, David Harbour and O-T Fagbenle, the film blends epic superhero action sequences with heartwarming family moments to make one of the most epic pieces of cinema you'll see this summer.
Set after the events of Captain America: Civil War, Natasha is on the run after helping Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes evade capture. Fleeing to Europe she reconnects with her sister Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and together the pair, alongside their stand-in parents Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour) and Melina Vostokov (Rachel Weisz), team up to overthrow the villainous leader of the Red Room, Dreycov (Ray Winstone), and free the remaining Widows under his control. The film offers audiences an insight into Natasha's life before she was an Avenger and the world she left behind after defecting to SHIELD. What makes Black Widow so interesting to me is how it doesn't shy away from recognising the horrors committed by Natasha before she was a hero, but ultimately shows that despite what she has been through and what she was forced to do, she is an incredibly strong character who is determined to right her wrongs and save everyone she can.
Black Widow is arguably more comparable to a James Bond or Jason Bourne espionage thriller than a traditional superhero film, something which makes the film all the more thrilling and enjoyable. The opening credits montage, cut to a chilling cover of Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit is visually striking, and although it is just a montage of quick clips giving the briefest of outlines of Natasha's life in the Red Room, I found myself being moved at the magnitude of the horrors which are alluded to.
Florence Pugh is utterly outstanding and the role cements her growing status as the actress of her generation. In the week preceding the film's release I saw a number of opinion pieces crop up questioning as to whether or not her performance could garner her a second Oscar nomination in three years. I, for one, wouldn't rule that out as a possibility. David Harbour's comic relief grounds the film, and reminds you that we are still in fact in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, because truly amidst all the action, fight sequences and espionage you can sometimes forget that this film comes from the same studio which has given us an adorable talking tree.
Now for the potentially controversial take on things. Looking at the film in its entirety, how it blends genres, establishes and resolves its main conflict, as well as the performances, direction, action sequences and entertainment factor, this is far and away the best film that Marvel Studios has released. But I fear that because its a female superhero film, and because they have come to be held to a far higher standard than their male counterparts, that it won't fully get the recognition and appreciation it deserves. The film is bold, and takes the MCU to depths and extremes that it has never been before; but as we saw with Captain Marvel before it, being good often isn't good enough for female heroes.
Admittedly, when it was announced that Captain Marvel would be the first female Marvel heroine to get her own film, I was disappointed and felt that Natasha, who I long believed was overlooked and under appreciated within the franchise, was being passed by and left on the sidelines. But I enjoyed Captain Marvel, and I think in hindsight it made sense for her to get an origin film first because of how she is used and needed in Avengers: Endgame. And to be honest, Black Widow couldn't have been made 4 years ago and if it had been, I don't think it would be as good as it is today. Jac Schaeffer, the woman who created WandaVision, is responsible for the story, and with creatives like her on board I'm endlessly optimistic about the future of the MCU, particularly for its female characters.
With the runaway success of WandaVision this year, and the anticipation which has subsequently built for the character's return in Doctor Strange and The Multiverse of Madness, I am hoping that the tide is being to shift in regards to female heroes and their status within the superhero genre. Coming out from behind the shadows of some of the heavy hitting male heroes who have departed the franchise in recent years, the MCU is rapidly building its slate of heroines and who knows, someday soon we might (hopefully!!) even get an all female Avengers team up. While Natasha sadly met her demise during Avengers Endgame, her legacy is in good hands, and I'm wickedly excited to see how we're going to move forward after Black Widow's shocking end credits scene.
The film is great pay off for dedicated and patient fans who have waited years to know more about the assassin and spy turned Avenger, but don't let the mammoth of previous MCU films put you off seeing this, you don't need any prior knowledge of Natasha or her role in the MCU to understand and enjoy the film. Although, if you want to fully grasp the magnitude of the end credits scene, I suggest you go with your Marvel obsessed friend of family member!
Black Widow is available in cinemas now and on Disney+ from July 9th for an additional fee.
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