The superhero/comic book based world of film is dominated by men. Comics were that way as well for decades. And then things changed, slowly. Wonder Woman became as important as Batman or Superman at DC. And in the Marvel Universe one woman stood out above the rest. That was Natasha Romanov, otherwise known as Black Widow. So when it came time to make movies based on Marvel comics it was a natural to include her.
Scarlett Johansson first appeared as the character in IRON MAN 2 in 2010. After a participating in more films including 2012’s THE AVENGERS, people thought they had seen the last of her with AVENGERS: ENDGAME. *spoiler alert* In that film she died in order to save the Universe. But comic book deaths are rarely permanent. Instead she was given the lead role in 2021’s BLACK WIDOW, a prequel of sorts to show us where Romanov came from.
The film opens in 1995 in a small town in Ohio. There two Russian sleeper agents, Alexi Shostakov (David Harbour) and Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz), are rushed to escape after having stolen S.H.I.E.L.D. documents. Coming with them are the two small girls they were raising as their own for cover, two orphan girls named Natasha Romanov and Yelena Belova. When they arrive in Cuba the girls are taken from them by Gen. Dreykov (Ray Winstone) and sent the Red Room for training to become the super spies of Russia.
Years pass. Shostakov, who was Russia’s superhero the Red Guardian, has been imprisoned. Romanov has defected to S.H.I.E.L.D. after blowing up Dreykov’s office, killing his daughter Antonia in the process. Taking place after the CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR film, the Sekovia Accords are now taking place requiring all superheroes to register. Romanov was against the accords and as such is now a wanted fugitive.
Meanwhile Belova (Florence Pugh) has been trained as an agent too. On her most recent mission she is does with a compound that makes the Red Room’s mind controlling gas neutralized. Able to think for herself for the first time in decades, she sends the vials of the antidote to Romanov in the hopes that she and the Avengers can locate the other Black Widow operatives and save them.
The chances of that happening are ruined with Russia’s newest super menace, Taskmaster, attacks Romanov trying to recover the vials. Romanov barely makes it out alive but using the clues she has from the container they were in she tracks down Belova to Budapest. Before the reunion between the two foster sisters can fully take place they are attacked by Taskmaster and the other Black Widows. They escape and plan on looking for the only person they think can help them: Shostakov.
The only problem, if you recall, is that he’s in prison. This leads to a prison break and his escape from the facility. Together again he’s joyous but the girls are not quite so. They go looking for the original Black Widow, Vostokoff and find her just before this location too is under attack. All four are captured and the man behind it all as well as the identity of the Taskmaster is revealed. The next question is can Romanov stop this madman before he unleashes his wrath upon the world.
The movie offers the best of what the Marvel Universe superhero films has to offer. Fast paced action, plenty of depth to the story, amazing effects and believable acting from all involved. This time though rather than go the typical route the film has more of a spy feel to it, a female James Bond perhaps. Between fighting skills and plenty of gadgets it sure feels that way.
Johansson has made this role her own over the course of these films. Here she is given enough leeway to make the film about her finally. She’s up to the challenge and makes everything Natasha Romanov do worthwhile. Harbour is over the top and gleefully so. Weisz is cool and that’s what her character calls for. Pugh who is new to the Marvel Universe makes her character to interesting that you wonder if a sequel about her is in order. And Winstone is at his best as a beleaguered father who has the means and ways to set about a major case of revenge with tools best left to governments.
The movie is plenty of fun and a welcome addition to the set of
films involving the Marvel Universe. Most everyone will have a good time with
this and those collecting the entire set will most likely pick this one up the
day it is released. I know I plan on keeping this one on hand for a re-watch,
it’s that good.
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