After a decade and several delays, Natasha Romanoff‘s solo foray is officially upon us. Black Widow not only exists, but the movie is finally coming out in just a few short weeks. And the first critics have already seen it! The initial reactions from the film are trickling in and it seems Natasha fans can breathe a deep sigh of relief. Those who watched screeners indicate the film was absolutely worth the wait, and does right by the beloved Avenger with a checked past.
Jay Maidment/Marvel Studios
Here’s what first reactions say:
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.
— Hector Navarro (@Hectorisfunny) June 17, 2021
The actions rips, the emotion hits and the new characters joining the MCU are standouts. MORE BLACK WIDOW MOVIES PLEASE! pic.twitter.com/R0JUHThSiF
Nerdist‘s Hector Navarro was among those praising the film, praising the new character additions and making a very subtle plea to Marvel for more Black Widow films. (A Black Widow trilogy, maybe? I certainly don’t see why not!) Our very own Dan Casey also had the chance to view the film, and while he says it was far from perfect, there’s a lot to love and it was certainly long overdue.
I think timing is #BlackWidow's biggest nemesis. Obviously, it's a prequel, but it feels a little out of step with the rest of Phase Four. If you prefer espionage action to multiversal bureaucracy, then this will be right up your alley. pic.twitter.com/7gHRrLoRx0
— Dan Casey (@DanCasey) June 17, 2021
Black Widow fans have waited years to see Scarlett Johansson take center stage. And while Florence Pugh is praised for her scene-stealing turn as Yelena Belova, rest assured this is still Natasha’s—and Johansson’s—film.
Dug #BlackWidow a good deal! Was kinda worried about watching this story unfold knowing what’s to come in Endgame, that it might diminish the stakes, but that wasn’t the case. In fact, this is the kind of prequel story that feels bound to enhance other installments of the MCU. pic.twitter.com/sFcwHzW30Y
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) June 17, 2021
I saw #BlackWidow! Interlaced with the well done action and humor is some of the darker material we’ve seen in the MCU, which packs a punch. The cast is all great with Florence Pugh a standout. A couple of beats near the end I could have done without but overall I really dug it.
— Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) June 17, 2021
#BlackWidow might be one of my favorite solo origin movies in the MCU. There's something about seeing Natasha finally get her story that made me emotional in all the best ways. Also, Florence Pugh was born for the MCU, and her dynamic with Scarlett is a triumph
— Nora Dominick (@noradominick) June 17, 2021
#BlackWidow pays a beautiful and long overdue tribute to Natasha Romanoff. It’s also the spy thriller fans of the character have been asking for all these years. It’s funny, thrilling and very emotional. Florence Pugh is fantastic as Yelena Belova, who is definitely here to stay. pic.twitter.com/i0jimxIJG0
— Lando (@orlandoenelcine) 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
With about two dozen projects under its massive umbrella, the MCU is a genre-jumping franchise, with entries shifting from comedy to horror to espionage thriller depending on what the central hero and their story calls for. As for Black Widow, that falls towards the latter category, per critics, who compared the film to several high-action thriller movies (with varying intents). As far as the MCU goes, they found it along the same vein as Captain America: The Winter Soldier, fight scenes and all.
#BlackWidow shows exactly why Natasha Romanoff was the glue that held the Avengers together. Shades of John Wick fight scenes & inventive action sequences wrapped in a heartfelt & poignant story about family & how the world treats girls. Excited to see Yelena carry the torch.
— @alishagrauso.bsky.social (@AlishaGrauso) June 17, 2021
I got to watch #BLACKWIDOW! No plot spoilers but it’s a non-stop, edge-of-your seat, action thriller w/ the same DNA as The Winter Soldier. THREAD 1/ #Marvel #MCU @marvelstudios @theblackwidow pic.twitter.com/WlCjzyEGw9
— POC Culture (@POCculture) June 17, 2021
A bit choppy at times, #BlackWidow is pretty fun, esp the action scenes. The fight scenes were incredible - on par w/ Winter Soldier. I really loved the action in this film. As a fan of Widow for years, we see so much humanity from Natasha & her past. We learn so much. pic.twitter.com/5o2fvhmr92
— Laura ลอร'า 劳拉 🍥 (@lsirikul) June 17, 2021
BLACK WIDOW wants to be BOURNE IDENTITY but ends up more like BOURNE LEGACY. The biggest "should've been a Disney+ show" energy
— Hoai-Tran Bui (@htranbui) June 17, 2021
/Film‘s Hoai-Tran Bui noted that the film may have been better-served as a Disney+ series. A sentiment Laura Sirikul echoed deeper in her reaction thread.
Well, with these responses, it definitely seems like Black Widow is a must-see for MCU fans (as if that was ever in question)! The film lands in theaters and Disney+ Premier Access on July 9.
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