Black Widow has been a highly anticipated film on numerous levels. Folks have been seeking a solo movie for the Scarlett Johansson character that first enamored audiences in Iron Man 2 back in 2010. Now that Natasha Romanoff finally got her green light, there was more waiting for fans of the Avengers member.
Initially due in theaters May 1, 2020, Black Widow was held back due to theaters closing because of the devastating Coronavirus. Then, the Marvel Studios actioner was given a release date of November 6, 2020, and then May 7, 2021. Now, it’s out everywhere and this particular review focuses on its digital download presence and the bevy of bonus features that are included.
Of course, none of the delays was the film’s fault. Now, was it worth the wait?
Unequivocally yes, and The Movie Mensch would take it a step further. If there is any way to milk the timeline without it drifting into an unbelievable arena, there needs to be a Black Widow 2.
But I’m getting ahead of myself…
Black Widow takes place in the timeline between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War and Romanoff are on the run. She and others who refused to sign the Sokovia Accords are literally wanted fugitives. What better time to connect with family and right a wrong?
First, she seeks out her sister, Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh). Their initial meeting (as shown in the Black Widow trailer) commences with hand-to-hand combat, as one does. Natasha is driven by the fact that the very institution that created her and her sister still very much exists and whose reach could be expanding. That needs to stop. The institution, plus the mere mention of the words “Red Room” causes shivers, must be brought down, particularly its leader—Dreykov (Ray Winstone).
Johansson, in this eighth outing as Black Widow, captures this moment impeccably. After everything she has been through with Natasha in the last decade-plus, the opportunity to portray this meticulously crafted assassin after the events of Avengers: Endgame had to be thrilling and bittersweet. Still, the actress impeccably encapsulates the essence of where Natasha’s head would be during this period. As such, the viewer is launched into the thrilling adventures of Black Widow coupled with the thrill of meeting Romanoff’s clan. It all adds up to a whole lot of summer movie magic and joy. Her connection and varying camaraderie with her family spotlight Johansson’s power inhabiting this character.
Although not the crux of the story, Romanoff’s family itself—as an entity all its own—is buoyant cinematic bliss. Leading the charge after Johansson is Pugh. The Little Women breakout does it again as Yelena. The actress is tough as nails and is like a double of her sister, but younger and possessing a tenacious sense of humor.
Pugh’s thespian talents have been well established these last few years, particularly with her work on Midsommar and Fighting with My Family. Yet there is something extraordinarily specialized about an action movie performance. For many, it simply does not jive. Even some of the biggest stars in Hollywood history have never entered the action arena for fear of falling on their faces.
Not so with Pugh. The English actress effortlessly morphs from a Shakespearian trained performer to one who gives the Johanssons, the Linda Hamiltons (The Terminator), and the Sigourney Weavers (Alien) an instant run for their money. It’s honestly hard to believe she hasn’t been doing this kind of work all along. Pugh continues to blow us away with her work. It seems with each successive film, there is a new layer of awesomeness unveiled, and with Black Widow, Pugh proves there is nothing she can’t achieve in the cinematic arts.
Not too far behind Pugh in the scene-stealing department is her onscreen parents—Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour, Stranger Things), and Melina Vostokoff (Oscar winner Rachel Weisz).
To hear that Weisz nailed a Russian accent should be a surprise to nobody, but to see and hear Harbour in full Cold War veteran Russian mode is the most sensational of surprises. His Alexei—who served as Red Guardian, the Russian answer to Captain America for years—provides many a moment of laughter and levity from the onslaught of action. Yet, he’s the real deal… i.e., not a joke. He uses his shield as innately as Steve Rogers. When he asks Natasha if Rogers ever mentioned him, it reveals much about this character. He was ever the Soviet stalwart, but deep down inside, he’s as insecure as everyone else—just wanting to be noticed. Harbour is a supreme talent and to see him finally get his due is amazing to witness.
Weisz is no stranger to action acting, what with her unforgettable turn as Evelyn Carnahan in 1999’s The Mummy. She effortlessly handles the action sequences in Black Widow. What makes her so special in this Marvel movie is how she inhabits the matriarch role that is required of her character. She’s not the warmest mommy in screen history.
Pugh and Johansson are obviously apples that have not fallen far from this tree. While Alexei possesses a flair that is uniquely his, Melina is a stoic Russian woman who knows the importance of family. But she also is keenly aware of what makes a mission successful. Letting emotion creep into them is one surefire way for things to go awry.
Having a well-defined antagonist to oppose a story’s protagonists is priceless. With Black Widow, Winstone dazzles us yet again. His ability to do that extra work that morphs a two-dimensional soul on the page into a three-dimensional man who is capable of controlling much and destroying all is uncanny. One could see how that dysfunctional family of four could effortlessly unite behind the goal of bringing Winstone’s Dreykov down.
Marvel Studios has amassed the most exquisite cadre of movie villains. It’s one spoke in their supremely successful wheel that’s been spinning for over a decade now. That bar is pretty high when it comes to baddies and the MCU. Thanks to the screenplay by Eric Pearson (from a story by Jac Schaeffer and Ned Benson) and the talent of Winstone, Dreykov not only has earned his place on this list but he can also safely be put in the top half.
Director Cate Shortland not only has a veracious command of the material, but she has also delivered an actioner with heart. That is easier said than done. The Aussie helmer has woven a web that electrically moves through its ebbs and flows, knowing the importance of action set pieces that are accompanied by moments of levity and time for the audience and characters to breathe. She also comes off as a true actor’s helmer as each of her cast members turn in performances that feel are as fully rounded as they are resonant.
The family at the center of Black Widow has us wishing that this thing had been able to be released earlier. No, I’m not speaking of its Covid-related delays. This is about giving the character that Johansson has made so beloved a movie all her own a half-decade ago. Then again, fate knows what it wants and perhaps the film that would have arrived then would not have had the Fab Four of Johansson, Harbour, Weisz, and Pugh.
Nobody in Hollywood is better at massaging stories to fit a purpose than Marvel. Perhaps the brain trust behind the comic book studio can find a way to jimmy another family Romanoff tale between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. We need more of this clan coming together and fighting evil. They have collectively created the most refreshing of film families and one we need to revisit again.
Bonus features, of course, being from Marvel Studios, will run the gamut of offerings—yet one thing will remain constant—its quality.
Introduction by Director Cate Shortland finds the helmer “introducing” us to the bonus features and is a “perfect minute.” All within 60 seconds, the director shares her vision for the film, which includes a heavy dose of the character’s humanity.
Sisters Gonna Work It Out is a nice five-and-a-half-minute behind-the-scenes featurette that focuses on the onscreen relationship between Pugh and Johansson. These onscreen sisters are impeccable together and in a move that should surprise nobody, they are equally as comfortable together when the camera is on versus when it’s off.
Go Big If You’re Going Home is an almost nine-minute extra that looks at the surprising depth of the story, the direction of Shortland, shooting on location, working with both practical and digital visuals, production design, and fight choreography.
Marvel has always been top-notch when it comes to collecting enough (but never too much) footage to turn in a solid Gag Reel. The one for Black Widow is no different. Clocking in at almost three minutes, it contains solid laughs and a priceless look into the “feel” of a Shortland film set. Also included are deleted scenes (there are nine) and after witnessing them, one can easily see why the helmer decided to keep what she kept and delete what she removed.
Film Grade: A
Bonus Features: A