Black Widow Review: Entertains in Dribs and Drabs!

Marvel Studios kick-started Phase Four of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with the television miniseries WandaVision. Two more series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Loki, followed Wanda Vision and started streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. Black Widow is the first major feature film in Phase Four of MCU with Scarlett Johansson in the lead as Natasha Romanoff alongside Florence Pugh, David Harbour, O-T Fagbenle, Olga Kurylenko, William Hurt, Ray Winstone, and Rachel Weisz as the supporting cast. Based on Marvel Comics, Cate Shortland directed Black Widow, from a screenplay by Eric Pearson.

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Set in the aftermath of Captain America – Civil War, Natasha Romanoff is labelled a fugitive by the USA for violating Sokovia Accord, and she is on the run. While hiding, a parcel with an antidote from her sister, Yelena, makes her go behind her violent past and confront Dreykov, head of the Red Room.

Well, to start with, I was finally relieved to watch a film in the MCU, after back to back television series. Marvel Studios has always been exceptional in making Comic Book movies, and they have a proven track record with 23 films in the Infinity Saga phase of MCU. Black Widow suffered the most during this unprecedented “Chinese” Virus pandemic, with the theatrical release date pushed thrice.

As far as the narrative is structured, Black Widow swiftly begins with a brief glimpse of her childhood with her “family,” comprising her parents Alexei and Melina, along with her younger sister Yelena. After which, we see her running towards a closed chapter in her past with her family’s help.

Compared to other standalone films in the MCU viz Iron Man, Thor, Captain America or Black Panther, the premise of the character Black Widow was not set from the early beginnings. Debuted in Iron Man 2 as a supporting cast, Black Widow evolved and was inducted as one of the initial six Avengers.

As a result, her past is discussed in the MCU as merely verbal. And the shortened summary of her childhood in the prologue of the movie doesn’t do enough justice. But, we can’t complain more about a comic book film. We do have to keep in mind the runtime restrictions here.

Yet, the film lacked a reasonable and convincing storyline to make it into a feature film. I felt Black Widow be condescending and unessential. In the era where the audience has adapted to the 10 episode web series culture, the makers could have opted to elaborate the character, work on the screenplay and make a decent television series, especially when you rope in talents like David Harbor and underuse them.

Despite that, the intentions of the makers, Marvel Studio, to honour the character Black Widow and Scarlet Johansson with a standalone movie is appreciated. She has given her one hundred percent dedication to the role, and no one could have done better. She shines bright in Black Widow and walks through the film while making the high octane action sequence look like icing on the cake.

Like every other Marvel movie, Black Widow scores point in the adrenaline pumping, grand, action rich climax. With a budget of 200 million dollars, the movie managed to deliver a neat, good enough CGI.

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To end with, Black Widow had momentous scope which was left untapped. With a star like Scarlett Johansson playing the character, they could have further expanded her days with S.H.I.E.L.D and her training in red room and given the character a complete arc. Nevertheless, Black Widow is sure to excite the few Marvel fans and the general audience expecting to watch an uncluttered action film.

‘Black Widow’ Rating – 3/5

Images via Marvel Studios