After the events of Captain America: Civil War, Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) is on the run from everybody, and looking to simply disappear. But the arrival of a strange package leads her back to an old life, forcing her to not only consider her future but also to confront her past, and the 'family' she once knew.
The word that springs to mind when watching Black Widow is 'cathartic'. This movie has been a long time coming, desired by both fans and filmmakers alike. After having appeared as a co-star in several solo outings, as well as being part of the team in all of the Avengers movies, both Johansson and Romanoff are more than deserving of a movie to call their own. So the question is; was it worth the wait?
Marvel have taken an interesting approach with this one. Instead of making a straight up prequel/origin story - although it is technically a prequel - we are presented with a more modern story, but one that harkens back to certain pivotal moments in her life. We find Romanoff in unfamiliar territory, on her own and without any form of a support structure. She’s vulnerable in a way that we haven't really seen before, something Johansson portrays beautifully. But it's because of this vulnerability that she's forced to revisit a part of her life that she's desperately trying to walk away from. Which brings us to the closest thing to a family - bar the Avengers - that Natasha has ever had; fellow Black Widows Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz), and Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour) A.K.A. 'Red Guardian' (Russia's equivalent of Captain America).
The awkward family dynamic is one of the major selling points here. They really do capture what it's like to be stuck with your family at a time when you're really not getting along, and it's hilarious to watch. All four actors come together really well, in fact, they look like the real deal. With the new characters fitting into this MCU world like they've been there the whole time. Natasha and Yelena have this wonderful sister-like bond where they're constantly snipping at each other; Yelena always wanting to out-do her older sister and Natasha showing her up while desperately trying to deny the connection. Melina and Alexei are the defacto parents in the equation, although it's likely Melina did most of the parenting. Alexei is complicated, and a little dense. Once a symbol of strength for the Soviet Union and a true believer, now reduced to a broken man filled with regret. His insecurities surrounding Captain America (although it's unclear which one) are a source of great amusement. Melina on the other hand is a little more grown up, subtle, smart. They are chalk and cheese - or at least a Black Widow and a symbolic super soldier - and yet they go together perfectly.
This reunion puts the family on a collision course with the very institution that created them. Which also serves as a window into their past, especially Natasha's. So it's an origin of sorts, and a very interesting one, but the origin isn't the primary focus of the movie. If anything, this is about reconciling the past in order to move forward. We do, however, finally get to hear about her mission with Clint to Budapest. But more importantly how she got into the program, including an undercover operation in the mid 90's that looks like something out of the TV show The Americans, and how all that influenced her decision to escape. Cate Shortland and the writers have done a great job of filling in the gaps, without robbing Natasha of her mysterious side. Unfortunately, with the focus more on Natasha and Yelena, Melina and Alexei fall a little by the wayside at times. Like the Red Guardian/Taskmaster fight that was hinted at in the trailers, it does not get the coverage it really deserved. We never even get to see Red Guardian in his prime! Maybe one day Marvel will explain his issues surrounding Captain America.
Even without the love for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Black Widow manages to feel very relevant in today's world. Ray Winstone's slimey villain 'General Dreykov'; the man who runs the 'Red Room', enslaving countless women to the Black Widow program embodies all that #MeToo is fighting. Dreykov is quite literally the MCU's version of Harvey Weinstein. He likes to play the big man, using his position of power to lord over everyone, but it's all a facade. Underneath he is nothing more than a bully, using the strength of others to maintain his position of power. A fact reiterated by his rather minor appearance in the movie, he's quite literally hiding himself away from the world. Winstone plays him perfectly, making him a villain you love to hate. It's through these themes of male dominance and brutality, that the movie carries with it a message; the mistreatment and degradation of women can no longer be ignored, or swept under the rug.
Of course, behind every villain is the heavy that does all the... well, heavy lifting. In this case that job falls to Taskmaster; a warrior who can mimic the fighting style of pretty much anyone. Making them an unforgiving opponent. But old Tasky isn't just about the muscle, there's mystery surrounding them. For one thing; who or what are they? As with all Marvel movies the action is phenomenal, everything from the gymnastic like fights that Black Widows are known for, to an explosive car chase through Budapest with Natasha and Yelena bickering between gunshots and crashes. A scene where the pair use the same move to simultaneously rob the other of their handgun is electric, but quickly turns into a truly brutal fight - one that can only happen between siblings. Later, Yelena even manages to mock Natasha's signature fighting pose, and with delightful glee. But in this case all of the fighting truly is beautifully choreographed. Watching Natasha go up against Taskmaster is kind of like watching her reflection in a mirror. The same can be said of a group of Black Widows training, they all move in perfect sync, it is literally like a dance, and it is fascinating to watch.
It's almost a shame that we finally get to learn more about who Romanoff is, and what made her that way, after she is gone. In many ways it feels like a last ride and a passing of the torch. Florence Pugh looks set to take on the Black Widow role, and judging by what she brings to Black Widow that is a very good thing! But where many fans felt that Avengers: Endgame was a bit of a snub in the lack of a farewell for Natasha, especially considering Tony got a funeral (never understood why it wasn't a joint affair), this feels like a proper send off for this beloved character. Instead of an origin story, she gets the one she deserves, the story of how she took her life back.
In answer to that earlier question; Black Widow is definitely worth the wait. It's great to finally see the MCU return to the big screen, and what a movie to do it with! As much as it's a shame to say a final farewell, Natasha Romanoff's last hoorah is an action-packed and emotional thrill ride from start to finish.
9/10
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