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The Avengers franchise is made up of distinctive heroes—all with their own personalities, abilities, and styles. Most have also had their own films—some have had two or even three—giving fans a look at their history and their character. For years, it was all about the guys—but after about a decade as an Avenger, Black Widow finally gets her turn in the spotlight.
Black Widow is set between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, when the Avengers have gone their separate ways. Natasha Romanoff, a.k.a. Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), has hidden herself away in Norway, where, one night, she finds herself targeted by a mysterious warrior. Drawn out of hiding, she’s reunited with Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), the only sister she’s ever known. And, together, they decide to bring down the program that took them from their real families and trained them to be killers.
The timing of this film is, admittedly, a little perplexing—especially considering the events of Avengers: Endgame and the fact that the action of Black Widow takes place between movies released three and five years ago. It makes it feel like an afterthought—a delayed concession to those who have been asking for a Black Widow movie since her first turn as an Avenger.
In part because of the strange timing, it takes a while to settle into the action—to figure out what’s going on (and when). And, at times, the story comes together in a way that feels a little too convenient. Still, this is a fitting film for a female hero. It’s loaded with explosive action: chases, explosions, and some remarkable fight sequences. But it’s more than just brainless action; it also tells an emotional story about a woman who’s had to create her own family—because hers was ripped from her. About a tough but broken hero who’s determined to protect others from the life that was chosen for her.
Scarlett Johansson gives the role everything she’s got. She’s strong and fearless. She’s clever and sarcastic. And, through it all, as another character points out, she still has a heart. Yet, somehow, she ends up overshadowed by Pugh’s Yelena—who’s just a little more sarcastic, has a little more heart, and shows a whole lot of grit. It seems clear that Marvel is setting her up to find her own place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe—but in doing so, they stole a little bit of Black Widow’s long-overdue thunder.
Fans who have been waiting (and waiting) for Black Widow’s time in the spotlight will be happy to see the character get a solo film that has both heart and action. But it isn’t a flawless adventure—and, in the end, the character doesn’t seem to go out with the bang that she deserves.
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