Black Widow, The Power of Family

Okay, I know, on this one I’m a little behind the 8 ball. This is a movie I would like to have reviewed earlier but since it’s still doing quite well at the box office, I figure, better late than never. Black Widow is a Marvel movie I wanted to see when the trailers first started coming out pre Covid. I finally got to see it, but it unfortunately suffers from the curse of many a movie with great trailers. This new continuation of the Avenger story line for Marvel is enjoyable as it follows the character of the Black Widow and her family.  It has much of what has come to be expected for a Marvel movie and in many ways it delivers.

 

Directed by Cate Shortland we see Scarlett Johansson back as Natasha Romanoff, AKA the Black Widow. This time we also have the pleasure of having her family tagging alongside as we see a kind of origins story for the character that transfers over to Marvel’s current storyline. It is here the story becomes somewhat convoluted and hard to follow. It isn’t that the movie is short on action, I unfortunately heard how some thought the movie struggled and was boring, if it is boring it is in the attempt to figure out the storyline in the movie. Truth is, there is enough action and comedic moments to keep one going and entertained, it is in trying to figure out what is going on that becomes difficult. The action sequences in the film in my opinion are terrific, well edited, and well shot. Unfortunately, I appreciate story and The Black Widow just falls short and becomes too complicated in trying to figure everything out, including the characters and who they are and what drives them.

 

There are several worth while aspects of the movie. The characters and heroes in the movie are female driven. I appreciate movies like this that attempt to present women in strong roles. The success of Wonder Woman was an example of how this can be done. Of course, there is a well-played father figure, Alexi, played by David Harbour.  He provides comedic relief and while I had high hopes of his role from the trailers, he just isn’t in the movie enough and we could have had more of him as he was one of the most enjoyable characters on screen. There were times that it seems as if even Scarlett Johansson gets lost on screen with her character.

 

One of the great questions of the film, is what is it that constitutes family. While the Romanoff family is trying to save the world, there are clearly aspects of dysfunction in their family. Without giving anything away, one of the things that eventually comes into play, and in some ways is a theme of the movie is that true, real family is often far more than a blood association, but sometimes more of a spiritual concept. I am reminded of the power of adoption as an example. I have an adopted son who is as much a part of my family as my biological daughter. I don’t see or recognize a difference. It is a reminder of the concept the Bible speaks about in being adopted into the family of God. In Black Widow we see a form of this taking place. We see that despite rough times, disagreements, differences in personality, that family, in the end can conquer all when seen as family. It is in family that everyone can use their specific strengths in overcoming the difficulties and surroundings around us. In that regard, Black Widow delivers, more so than I thought it would, despite the lack of story.

 

This is not a great movie, but it is entertaining and enjoyable. It has good themes and like I said, it is still drawing crowds. I saw it on a Tuesday night, and it was still a sellout. It’s worth seeing but don’t expect the strength of some of the other Marvel films, don’t be disappointed that it doesn’t seem to fit up to the trailer for the movie. I will give another hint though, make sure you stay until the end of the credits for the closing hepiloguej that gives details as to an upcoming and future Marvel storyline.

 

On a sale of 1 – 10, it is still definitely better than average and will provide for a fun time at the movies. So I give it an entertaining 7

To see the trailer for the movie, click on the following link:

Marvel Studios’ Black Widow | New Trailer - YouTube 

For going on some thirty years now I have done the work of The Virtual Pew, in part planting seeds but another huge part is getting to know people and being called by many Pastor Mike by my involvement in social media. From engaging in life, I have seen the impact of my work on people on the fringes all over the world. I have run homeless programs, housed homeless people worked with drug addicts, prostitutes and much more. All while giving back my salary, and for the last 8+ years not taking a salary. You can help tremendously by supporting the work, not just from the movie reviews but the work that goes along side that in the development of relationships of helping save lives and give purpose to the lives of others. I appreciate your consideration in this calling that I have seen and know God uses. 

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