REVIEW: Black Widow

This review contains spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Black Widow is the best Marvel Cinematic Universe film. I said what I said.


Cate Shortland has created a modern masterpiece. While this is a film that anyone who loves action will love, this was made for the fans of Natasha Romanoff. And I’ve been a fan since the very beginning.

I’ve waited to see this film for three years. Three. Years. Before filming started in early 2019, or before the official announcement at San Diego Comic Con, I knew about this film. It was everything I’ve ever wanted, especially after the events of Avengers: Endgame (a.k.a. Natasha’s death). And finally, after three years of speculation, filming, and push backs, I finally got to see my favorite film ever. (And I cried seven times while watching it too).

I was pulled in from the very start. The opening credits set the tone for the film, and it was unlike anything I’ve ever seen Marvel Studios do before. It was beautiful and haunting, and I loved the overall theme of how the Black Widows represented women/child trafficking and how there is “no place in our society” for women. This was such an important topic to cover and I loved how Cate Shortland conveyed it.

Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova was definitely a standout character. I loved her humor and the witty banter she and Natasha shared throughout. Alexei’s character was a fun, comedic relief type while also being serious enough to not derive from the plot. Melina Shostakov was also a favorite. I had originally thought she would be Taskmaster (if not Mason) and I was so happy when she wasn’t.

The plot surrounding the Red Room being active, the Widows, and Dreykov was very captivating and it wasn’t what I had expected at all. Natasha’s journey through the Red Room is something I wanted to see expanded in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I love how they did it.

There were plenty of callbacks to previous films, such as Natasha and Clint Barton’s inside joke Budapest (which is pronounced Buda-pesht) and Loki’s mention of Dreykov’s daughter in the first Avengers film. It was a brilliant touch to the film snd I really enjoyed noticing those little easter eggs.

Which brings me to Taskmaster, Dreykov’s daughter. Not what I had expected at all. While I can’t say I particularly liked the character, I did like how Natasha never gave up on her and was able to free her and the other Widows in the end.

The post-credit scene was heartbreaking. I had held out hope that Marvel would resurrect Natasha, but seeing her gravestone really confirmed her death for me. The random appearance of Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who we previously saw in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, wasn’t much of a surprise for me. What I loved about this scene was Val- sorry, Valentina, giving Yelena her new target- Clint Barton.

We all know how I feel about Clint, especially after Endgame. I 100% blame him for Natasha’s death (and nothing that you say will change my mind). I can’t wait to see Yelena kick his ass.

One last thing that I wanted to point out was the score, composed by Lorne Balfe. I absolutely loved it, and I believe it fit Natasha and the film well. I especially enjoyed the tracks with the Russian vocals, specifically Natasha’s Lullaby and Last Love (which I purchased on iTunes as soon as the score was released). The vocals were so beautiful and such a good addition to the film.

I loved this film so much, I lost count of how many times I said love in this review. Infinity out of five stars. I hope to see you again, Natasha. Прощание, моя последняя любовь.


Infinity out of 5 stars.

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