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Web of intrigue but timing a little off
Johansson enjoys being in spotlight
Due to Covid delays, Black Widow is the first Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) outing since 2019’s Spider-man: Far From Home.
That’s a long time coming for a saga that has consistently delivered two or three films a year for most of the past decade.
But despite it launching the MCU’S Phase Four, Black Widow is actually a prequel – as anyone who has seen Avengers: Endgame will know it had to be.
Scarlett Johansson’s titular heroine finally gets her moment in the sun with her own solo flick – although she’s brought plenty of supporting players along for the ride.
Australian Cate Shortland (Berlin Syndrome) is behind the camera and it’s clear to see she has a firm handle on helming female-led emotional beats and action.
The film is at its best with the dysfunctional family dynamic between
Johansson, Florence Pugh (Yelena), David Harbour (Alexei) and Rachel Weisz (Melina), while Black Widow’s traumatising past isn’t glossed over.
It goes without saying that Johansson could play this character in her sleep and she takes full advantage of her extra screen time.
Pugh, though, is every bit as impressive and it’s obvious the studio has big plans for her going forward.
Harbour evokes his Stranger Things tender tough guy and Weisz adds to the ever-growing list of classy stars finding a home in the MCU.
The movie’s biggest letdown is an absence of imposing and memorable villainy, not helped by Ray Winstone’s (Dreykov) dodgy Russian accent.
I liked the more personal tone of the story, but it does feel like the MCU has moved on to bigger and more consequential things.
Inevitably, Black Widow would have carried more clout if it had been released sooner in the franchise’s timeline.
Not one of the MCU’S best, then, but this studio’s middling output still surpasses most others’ finest – and it’s great to see Johansson enjoy her time in the spotlight.
●What are your thoughts on Black Widow? How does it measure up to the MCU’S best?
Pop me an email at ian.bunting@ reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.