BLACK WIDOW

A beautiful swan song for Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff, for the eighth and final time. The film opens in 1995 in Ohio when her world is completely shattered as her family immediately and inexplicably goes on the run. We then fast forward to 2016 where we pick up ScarJo, who is consumed with finding the originator of the widow program, Dreykov (played marvelously by Ray Winstone). During her mission she soon crosses paths with her younger sister Yelena (Florence Pugh), then enlists the help of their father Alexi/Red Guardian (David Harbour) and mother Melina (Rachel Weisz). The family dynamic between the 4 is magnetic and each were perfectly cast for their respective roles. I am rather looking forward to Pugh's direction within the MCU in the future and I wouldn't mind seeing more of the Red Guardian either. Director Cate Shortland needs to be congratulated as well for this powerhouse of a film that has themes of betrayal, family, and free will. A shout out must also be given for the marvelous henchman Taskmaster, the mesmerizing choreographed fight scenes, and top notch CGI. Marvel has done it again and this is just the type of film to bring audiences back to the theaters! 8.5/10