Early “Black Widow” Reactions Hail Visceral & Emotional Spy Thriller
The first reactions to director Cate Shortland’s Black Widow are appearing online, describing an action-packed spy thriller that completes Natasha Romanoff’s (Scarlett Johansson) story in a visceral, emotional way. What more could we want from the first Marvel movie to hit theaters since 2019, and from the first stand-alone film featuring Johnasson’s beloved, and dearly departed, assassin-turned-Avenger? Unsurprisingly, Johansson is getting praised for an excellent final turn as the titular Black Widow, but there’s also a lot of chatter about Florence Pugh, a newcomer to the MCU, who critics are saying absolutely nails her character. Is there a role Pugh can’t make her own? No.
Black Widow is set between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, with Natasha confronting her past, and the people she left behind, to become an Avenger. Those people include Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz) and Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour), who, along with Yelena, all appear to be allies against the Taskmaster, the film’s masked villian, and the shadowy forces trying to take Natasha out.
The spoiler-free reactions are assembled below. Black Widow opens in theaters and on Disney + Premiere Access on July 9.
Marvel movies are back! #BlackWidow is a tense, action-packed spy thriller that truly completes Natasha’s story in a visceral & emotional way. Florence Pugh CRUSHES it & is an instant MCU icon. This is like the MCU’s Bond movie w/ shades of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE & THELMA & LOUISE. pic.twitter.com/bauc2XVQlF
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) June 17, 2021
#BlackWidow is one of Marvel’s best solo films.
Start to finish, the movie is great. Excellent surprises, emotional character moments, bad-ass action, and Scarlett Johansson finally gets to pour everything into the role.
Director Cate Shortland nailed it. Bravo. pic.twitter.com/sgEkUW63cT
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) June 17, 2021
Marvel movies are back and Phase 4 kicks off with the very entertaining and action-packed #BlackWidow. Giving us a long-overdue look at Natasha’s backstory, with solid performances throughout and thrilling set pieces that demand you see this movie on the biggest screen possible. pic.twitter.com/Pr6qeBlSGQ
— Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) June 17, 2021
I saw #BlackWidow last night & I’m happy to say that it’s incredibly fun & deeply emotional. Action feels WINTER SOLDIER level. Pugh, Johansson, Weisz & Harbour are outstanding together. Balances a tone that is dark, grounded, raw & real. Even after ENDGAME, you feel the stakes. pic.twitter.com/BKuvCPROrU
— Kevin McCarthy (@KevinMcCarthyTV) June 17, 2021
I got to see #BlackWidow last night, and as someone who has been waiting since 2010 to see Natasha Romanoff get her own movie, it was well worth the wait.
The actions rips, the emotion hits and the new characters joining the MCU are standouts. MORE BLACK WIDOW MOVIES PLEASE! pic.twitter.com/R0JUHThSiF
— Hector Navarro (@Hectorisfunny) June 17, 2021
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“Black Widow” IMAX Screenings Will Boast 22 Minutes of Expanded Aspect Ratio
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Featured image: Marvel Studios’ BLACK WIDOW..L to R: Yelena (Florence Pugh) and Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson)..Photo: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2020
