Black Widow Weaves A Wonderful Spy Thriller Web (Spoiler Free)
2020, it was a year that promised us many things and like a dad going out for smokes … it disappointed. Luckily, 2020 is over, Hollywood is finally starting to deliver the goods, and there have been quite a few bangers already. I am pleased to say that Black Widow is no exception.
Black Widow stars Scarlett Johansson, Rachel Weisz, David Harbour, Ray Winstone and Florence Pugh. The story is set between the MCU movies Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, and places the former spy turned Avenger in a situation where she has to face some of her most ruthless demons.
The narrative contextualizes many Black Widow concepts thrown around in various MCU films, from Budapest to The Red Room. And does so with minimal exposition.
This film has the perfect balance of fan service and cinematic competence, the Easter Eggs never overstay their welcome and don’t drown out the story in any way. This feels like a spy movie and I am here for it all the way.
The visuals are brilliant — Kevin Feige never disappoints with funding for things like settings and attire, especially with costuming. I love the outfits on display here, they have (as the kids say) serious drip.
I want to give serious props to James Young, who has now done choreography for my Top 2 favorite MCU movies; this and Captain America: Winter Soldier. He absolutely brings out the best in both his actors and stunt people.
The music is nothing to make light of either, Lorne Balfe and Sven Faulconer composed a score with the energy of a 007 movie (the good ones).
And this movie is nothing without its cast of colorful character actors. ScarJo is on point as the titular protagonist, but would you expect anything less? I mean this ain’t Ghost in the Shell.
Rachael Weisz brings her trademark charm and class to the role of Melina, and her American English accent was on point. Her Russian needs some work though.
Ray Winstone was a treat as Dreykov. He hasn’t given me chills like this since The Departed. But allow me to gush about my new celebrity Goddess, Florence Pugh; her performance as Yelena was the most nuanced of all the characters. At first, I was worried that she was going to be written like a *cringes* Joss Whedon character, where her dialogue was 95 percent snark. But screenwriter Eric Pearson fleshed out her sarcasm as a coping mechanism, you know kinda like how most of us do it in real life. I loved her bonding moments with Johansen and David Harbour as well.
Speaking of which, if there was anyone in this film who I had to guess was having the most fun, it would definitely be David Harbour. This man is an actor’s actor, and even with the worst script (shout out to Hellboy), he seems to have a blast. I definitely got that strong awkward dad energy that he projects as Hopper in Stranger Things (minus the god-tier cringe from Season 3), but more than anything he makes the role of Alexei Shostakov/The Red Guardian his own.
Black Widow is a damn near perfect movie, but its blemishes are so minimal that I am willing to overlook every single one, Director Cate Shortland who got her chops in television and arthouse films brings to the table a meaty film.
It’s empowering without being pandering or preachy — representation done right. And I don’t know about you, but I think the Russo Bros. might be out of a job in the MCU soon.
I give Black Widow (Marvel Studios, PG-13, 2 hrs 13 mins) a 5 out of 5.
