Black Widow review: the female start of Phase 4

After a year of postponements due to the COVID pandemic, finally Cate Shortland’s Black Widow arrives in cinemas and on Disney + in Vip Access: here is the review of the prequel of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Scarlett Johansson not only introduces new characters

ORIGINAL TITLE: Black Widow. KIND: Action. NATION: United States. DIRECTOR: Cate Shortland. CAST: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, O.T. Fagbenle, Olivier Richters, Liran Nathan, Ray Winstone, Martin Razpopov, Michelle Lee. time: 133 minutes. DISTRIBUTOR: Disney. EXIT ON THE PLATFORM: 09/07/2021

Black Widow, despite being a prequel, sets the tone MCU phase 4. After the long wait and the numerous postponements we can finally pick up where we left off with the Marvel world, telling us about the crucial mission in Budapest mentioned by Black Widow and Hawkeye in the first Avengers and making us in a sense return to that phase of the MCU. The rhythm and writing stood at the levels of the cinecomics of the time, with a good dose of irony but also with the maturity that the spin-off TV series of the MCU are reaching recently. The rapprochement of the two worlds is on the other hand confirmed by the post-credit scenes that refer to a Marvel series. But let’s go in order and find out the pros and cons of Black Widow in this review.

Plot and Trailer | Black Widow Review

Little Natasha grew up in Ohio with her mother Melina, father Aleksei and sister Yelena. This family it’s just a cover, but it’s also the only one she and Yelena have ever had, because from an early age they were trained and manipulated in the “red room“, A secret Russian program to create murderous super soldiers. Years later Natasha finds herself cut off from the Avengers and is indeed wanted, following the events of Captain America Civil War. Thus begins a mission that brings the Black Widow home, making her find her adoptive mother Melina and the Red Guardian Aleksei, who claims to have been the Russian counterpart of Captain America.

Scarlett Johansson plays again, probably for the last time, the role of the superheroine fallen in Avengers: Endgame, for a film of incessant and spectacular action.

A prequel to phase 4 | Black Widow Review

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for jumping forward or backward along the timeline. Black Widow is no exception and arises in a moment before the Avengers, although ideally it intends to fill the void between Captain America Civil War and Infinity War. A new prequel in the Marvel saga, with the main purpose of introducing a new character in the events set in the present, Yelena Belova, ideal sister of Natasha (who we will see again in a few months in the Hawkeye miniseries on Disney +). But obviously in the meantime the story of the Black Widow herself develops, and perhaps she is given a worthy farewell.

Black Widow review: the female start of Phase 4

The film finally explains what that crucial mission in Budapest that involved the Widow and Hawkeye was and which is already mentioned in the first Avengers. Above all, however, it gives an explanation to the role of the character of Scarlett Johansson, making it clear why she was included in the superhero group. Scenes adrenaliniche and well coordinated, good editing and CGI, with high quality as expected from an MCU: the film from a technical point of view is very enjoyable, but beyond the appearance there is more.

Girl Power | Review Black Widow

In fact, Black Widow has the merit of entering into the wake of cinecomics (not only Marvel, as shown by the films on Wonder Woman) not aimed only at a male audience, but aimed at being inclusive and in step with the times. The villain is the most male chauvinist imaginable and the message of emancipation is very clear. Among other things, it is carried on naturally, without reaching the absurdity of Endgame with all the heroines who meet together on the battlefield.

Black Widow had entered the MCU, not without irony, as a beautiful secretary. The spectacular combat scenes and that double game against Tony Stark they quickly hinted that it wasn’t just going to be a tight suit. So Scarlett Johannson was a point of reference in a saga that, until that moment, was predominantly male. Then, with the arrival of Joss Whedon, his character became even more characterized and a darling for the whole audience and for many young spectators. And it is since then, since 2012, that there has been talk of a standalone film dedicated to Black Widow and her tormented story, always mentioned but never addressed.

It is a highly anticipated film, both for its particularly complex genesis and for the more recent and continuous postponements due to the pandemic. It also has the arduous task of starting the new phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the one that comes after Thanos and the Infinity Stones, the one that seems to want to say goodbye to many of its interpreters and main characters.

Black Widow review: the female start of Phase 4

Conclusions

In this Black Widow review we tried to explain why the Marvel film directed by Cate Shortland can live up to all these expectations it had. But there is one thing there was no doubt about: an actress like Johansson will be difficult to replace, both on screen and in the hearts of viewers. And this film does nothing but prove it, right down to the very last scene.

With the addition supporting actors of excellencefinally, it only makes everything more enjoyable and fun and also allows you to pass over some imperfections and a bit of confusion, including editing and CGI, in the final phase of the film.

Points in favor

  • Scarlett Johansson, perhaps on her last appearance
  • Thrilling action

Points against

  • In the final perhaps he loses pace
  • The Italian dubbing is not among the best

Are you looking for new movies and new TV series to watch? Discover the new subscription to Disney +, the streaming home of Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, National Geographic and now Star too. Subscribe now to only € 8.99 per month on this page.