REVIEW: BLACK WIDOW

4/5

Widow's Peak.

134 Mins. Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, O-T Fagbenle, Olga Kurylenko, William Hurt, Ray Winstone & Rachel Weisz. Director: Cate Shortland. 

Back in black for one last ride. This Russian roulette is fast and furious...and all about family too, Diesel. Now Marvel-the only franchise with more sequels (23 like MJ) than the 'Fast and the Furious' franchise-goes back in time like keeping Han alive after 'Tokyo Drift'. All for the prequel that gives us 'Justice For Natasha' and an Academy actress and agent who has always understood the assignment since being 'Lost In Translation' as a teenager in Japan with Bill Murray. Like bringing Jeremy Renner's (we're still lobbying for that 'Budapest' spin-off...tell us differently) Hawkeye back from his Ronin rampage in the rain of the Yakuza led by 'The Wolverine', 'Mortal Kombat' and 'The Last Samurai' star Hiroyuki Sanada's mob boss amongst the sleazy night neons. Or when she blade ran her way back in the Major, electric 'Ghost In The Shell' manga movie adaptation. Watching in the land of the rising sun on the big screen as Scarlett sings "take me to the movies" like she did 'Apart' with Pete Yorn, after 'A Quiet Place II' took us back to the darkened rooms and before the Japanese titled 'Jet Break' of 'Fast 9' really takes off is fitting. The Black Widow cat-suit, more form and respectfully so. We've come a long way since Tony Stark told us he wanted one in her 'Iron Man 2' introduction before the Avengers assembled (thank you for your cooperation Marvel). Now after giving her own life so poignantly in 'Endgame' we finally get to see how Scarlett Johansson cult comic character lived hers. And this story is as real as it gets. No need to be embarrassed Stephen Dorff. This is no video game and besides, we love it and you, but weren't you in Marvel's 'Blade'. Stones. Glass houses. Now smashing previous ceilings in Marvel mythology broken by the likes of 'Captain Marvel'. Coming after a Jennifer Lawrence 'Red Sparrow' and before this Widow went 'Atomic Blonde' like Charlize and more delayed than 'Wonder Woman 1984'. Sandwiched between the events of 'Civil War' (a CGI assisted William Hurt as Thunderbolt Ross (we still want to see him Red Hulk out) and the infinity one, 'Black Widow' is finally here. And she doesn't have to punch her way out of this one. 

Scarlett is sensational in the Red Room of her past that ledger drips with backstory that truly ties everything together as remember...it's all connected. Like the hourglass 'Black Widow' logo and the TVA one in these sands of time. All whilst Tom Hiddleston's 'Loki' gets his variant time to change his story and redemptive arc for the horns. This is 'Her' time to shine. No mewling quim. The 'Marriage Story' and 'Jojo Rabbit' actress who deserved both Oscar's last year knows how to be serious and seriously charismatic all whilst breaking our hearts over and over again, all the same. This solo movie however shows she is no supporting player. Robert Downey Jr. and his Tony Stark 'Iron Man' may have been the catalyst convertor. Chris Evans and his Steve Rogers 'Captain America' may have carried the flag. Chris Hemsworth may have put the hammer down as 'Thor'. And Mark Ruffalo may have completed this other 'Fantastic Four' family as we really liked him when he was angry. But just like Jeremy Renner's 'Hawkeye' (get ready for that series), Johansson's superpowerless, but so much more powerful Avenger brings the human heart to the group. Just look at their 'Endgame' reunion after his outstanding opening and their cliffhanging climax. We're hungry for a trip back to beautiful Hungary. So much so we had to say it twice for the story teased in the battle of New York. With James Bond still on a socially distant vacation, this is 'No Time To Die' for this shaken and stirred spy who has a license to not be killed just yet. Born again and riding around on a motorcycle again like Matt Damon's Jason. But whose that riding on the back, no sidecar? Only the future of this franchise and Avengers. Meta mocking the superhero landing as she really sticks it. 'Midsommar', 'Little Women' and 'Lady Macbeth' superstar Florence Pugh already has our hearts, but now 'Fighting With Her Family' the scene stealing soul of this solo movie family affair is her own Widow. Ready to take the mantle and rewrite the comic-book strip script as her time is now. "It was real to me" she says with every emotion in this tights play that is anything but Shakespeare in the park, but everything to me. Pugh's pugilist punch packs the real wallop. Whistle with it. 

'Stranger Things' have happened than having David Harbour (also making 'No Sudden Move' with a Steve Soderbergh ensemble right now) in two Russian cells at once. But this 'Prison Break' covered in tattoos is on the same haunting lines as Tom Cruise's 'Ghost Protocol'. Think this arm wrestle is a Mission Impossible? This is the Red Guardian we are talking about! Taking the shield as the suit still fits as his Russian superhero trades Captain America war stories with real punch. David harbors one of his best roles yet. His charisma is the real flex for the dad bod and proud, everyman hero. Call me a Commie but I want a Crimson Dynamo movie...STAT. It's 'The Mummy' and 'Constantine' forever young legend Rachel Weisz however who is out 'Favourite' like Owen Wilson whispering over your shoulder. She brings the beating heart to this family's bond that is thicker than blood. Whilst a Taskmaster wielding Ray Winstone as a Russian villain is quite simply amazing. For one to have another cult comic character updated and brought to the cinematic stage, set-free by Winston's big bad. But more to have the cockney legend who once replied to an interviewer asking him if he'd rather win an Oscar for 'Best Actor' or have West Ham win the Premier league with both hands up like the guy was stupid ("West Ham. West Ham" in your best 'Apples and Stairs') sporting a Mother Russia tongue. Add an outstanding O-T Fagbenle (someone get that Craig David biopic ready) of 'The Handmaid's Tale' as an everyman who can do everything and Bond heroine Olga Kurylenko competing this hit, man as the action takes us into outstanding oblivion, and 'Berlin Syndrome' director Cate Shortland aces the Budapest test in this amazing action and matters of the heart and family on a superhero scale that is anything but formulaic. Ever since corona condensed cinema, Marvel looked to change the game again. Refusing anyone that tries to Scorsese step on their capes. They've just ruled the small screen world on Disney + ('Loki' now showing in all his multiverse multitudes, a new Captain America for 'The Falcon and The Winter Soldier' and the wonderful 'WandaVision' have us all tuning in). So much so we don't have to ask 'What If'? Now Phase 4 is upon us and we have another barrier breaking 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' and the 'Eternals' epic to keep this thing going forever (sorry Marty). Not to mention all these post-credits tease for this 'New Avengers'. And if that wasn't enough even Spider-Man is coming back for the holidays this Christmas season even with 'No Way Home' (and who know how many of them into this Spider-Verse). But when it comes to original nostalgia as this hero of our time fades to black, we're left all feeling like fandom Widow's. Natasha Romanoff signing off. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Captain America-The Winter Soldier', 'Atomic Blonde', 'Red Sparrow'.