Black Widow Reviews: How Are Critics Reacting To the Scarlett Johansson Film?

Natasha Romanoff might have already died during Avengers: Endgame, but her story is not over yet due to the arrival of her own solo film in the form of Black Widow. 

Directed by Cate Shortland, the upcoming prequel is set to showcase the return of Scarlett Johansson as the titular spy, and she will be joined by her Russian family from the Red Room who will be played by Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz, and David Harbour.

Plot details are still being kept under wraps, but Black Widow has been confirmed to be set in between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. As a result, the reunion will happen due to the fact that Romanoff is on the run from the Sokovia Accords. 

After multiple delays due to the pandemic, the film finally landed a July 2021 release window with it being scheduled to premiere on Disney+ via Premier Access and in theaters. In the past weeks, marketing has ramped up for Black Widow, with a slew of trailers, interviews, and promotional posters being released online. 

Now, as the film's debut inches closer, initial reactions from critics have arrived. 

BLACK WIDOW IS ANOTHER MCU HIT 

Ahead of the film's July 9 release, the press shared its first reactions to Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow on social media. 

Fandango's Erik Davis revealed that Black Widow "truly completes" Natasha Romanoff's story in a "visceral & emotional way" while also praising Florence Pugh's performance in the film: 

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

Collider's Steven Weintraub shared that Pugh and David Harbour "hit home-runs" with their performances in the MCU prequel: 

Cate Shortland had the difficult job trying to fill in Natasha Romanoff’s backstory, but she nailed it in #BlackWidow. While entire cast was great both @Florence_Pugh and @DavidKHarbour hit home-runs with their performances. No way audiences don’t want more of both characters. pic.twitter.com/CIJTV4oxR6

— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) June 17, 2021

The Wrap's Umberto Gonzales pointed out that Black Widow is a movie that is worth seeing on "the biggest screen possible" while also describing the film as "very entertaining and action-packed:"

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

Jenna Busch revealed that Scarlett Johansson "deserved this film long ago:"

I loved #BlackWidow...and it makes me angry. ScarJo deserved this film long ago. I loved everyone in it, but it bothers me so much that Marvel waited so long. ScarJo was amazing as always. Florence Pugh, I have loved in everything I've seen her in, and continue to do so. (1 of 2) pic.twitter.com/RdBvsFZlbg

— Jenna Busch (@JennaBusch) June 17, 2021

Indiewire's Kate Erbland revealed that the first half of Black Widow is "intimate and talky and kind of funny in a new way for the MCU:"

#BlackWidow : Actually bruising fighting and chase sequences, a go-for-broke Florence Pugh performance (does she turn in any other kind? nope), and a first half that's intimate and talky and kind of funny in a new way for the MCU; yes, I enjoyed this. pic.twitter.com/i48fFmjNud

— Kate Erbland (@katerbland) June 17, 2021

Comicbook's Brandon Davis praised Black Widow by saying that it is “one of Marvel's best solo films.” Davis took note of Johansson's performance, admitting that she "finally gets to pour everything into the role:"

#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

 

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