Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Cate Shortland, Marvel Studios, PG 133 Minutes.
This latest Marvel movie is an action-packed adventure thriller helmed by Australian filmmaker Cate Shortland (‘Somersault’) on the origins of an Avenger stalwart which has Scarlett Johansson reprising her role as the fearless Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow.
The movie opens in 1995 as the 13 year old Natasha (with blue hair) is seen playing with her younger sister Yelena in Ohio until the sudden arrival of their panic-stricken father Alexei (David Harbour – ‘Hellboy’), he tells them that they and their mother Melina (Rachel Weisz – ‘Denial’) must immediately leave for Cuba due to their cover being blown as Soviet spies.
The story subsequently skips some 21 years after Natasha had become part of the Avengers’ break-up depicted in Captain America: Civil War and which now sees her tracking-down her adult sister Yelena (Florence Pugh – ‘The Falling’) in Budapest.
Natasha and Yelena soon find themselves in the midst of a deadly conspiracy involving the dangerous Dreykov (Ray Winstone – ‘King of Thieves’), ensconced in a secret Red Room, and determined to send out his black widows to create chaos throughout the world.
Besides preventing Dreykov from carrying out his evil plan, with their mother’s help, both sisters also decide to rescue their father who’s been imprisoned in Siberia by Dreykov where he has become known as the Red Guardian – the Soviet equivalent to Captain America.
It is finally left to Natasha and Yelena (including Melina) in their special suits to dispose of the dreaded Dreykov from his hideaway high above the Earth and be reunited with their father.
It is to Shortand’s credit that she has been given the opportunity to direct the 24th film in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and except for a few flaws has been able to put her own stamp on an epic production.
In addition to its focus on strong female leads most of the enjoyment in ‘Black Widow’ is derived from the many thrilling action scenes, some great CGI effects and the stunning settings shot in Hungary, Morocco and Norway.
Of course, the major highlight has been the strong performances from Johansson and Pugh (with the latter stealing some of the action scenes) as well from Harbour, Weisz and Winstone.
Vic’s Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
