Cinema operators must be breathing a sigh of relief now that Malaysians are able to return to movie halls with popcorn in hand. The question is, what’s worth watching?
Despite its release date of July 9 in the United States and on the Disney+ streaming service, “Black Widow” – another instalment in the burgeoning Marvel Cinematic Universe – will likely be the first film most Malaysians will catch. But just how good is it?
FMT’s answer is, “It’s all right” – but since this will probably be the character’s only standalone film, it certainly deserved a lot better. Mild spoilers follow.
Tropes and tripe
Unfortunately, “Black Widow” is filled with the characteristics common to many of Marvel’s films of late, including a boring and forgettable one-note villain, a predictable plot, and an uninteresting visual style.
It will certainly not stand tall among the studio’s bangers such as “Avengers: Infinity War” or “Captain America: Civil War” – instead, it will have to settle for a seat with “Thor: The Dark World”.
One major issue is that fans would have previously watched “Avengers: Endgame”. The fate of Natasha Romanoff in that film ensures her survival in this one, since it is set before the events of “Endgame” and “Infinity War”.
With fewer stakes at hand, viewers can hardly feel worried for Black Widow’s safety, no matter how many explosions she leaps through.
And while it’s nice to get some backstory into one of the Avengers’ more sidelined characters, director Cate Shortland seems to forget that fans don’t need to be reintroduced to her all that much. After all, Black Widow has been appearing in Marvel movies since “Iron Man 2”.
The film hinges on the relationship between Natasha and her sister, Yelena, who were trained to be assassins from a young age.
Regrettably, Yelena, played by the talented Florence Pugh, is a victim of Marvel’s tendency of breaking serious moments with inappropriate jokes. A revelatory scene with the theme of sexual violation should have been addressed with seriousness, yet was strangely played for laughs.
Then there’s the movie’s villain, who is curiously boring despite the interesting powers they possess. They are said to be able to mimic others, but the audience is not treated to any particularly spectacular fight scenes.
Sure, not every Marvel villain can hold a candle to Thanos or Loki, but that does not excuse them from being mostly forgettable. Of note is that critics have been lauding the villain of the upcoming “Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings” as one of Marvel’s best.
Given that “Shang-Chi” has already been released in the US and will premiere in Malaysia next month, there’s little doubt that film will cannibalise any potential of “Black Widow” leaving a lasting cultural impact.
In short, what ought to have been a poignant farewell to the only woman in the original Avengers lineup feels botched, an act of discourtesy to the character and her actor.
One can only wonder if this lack of respect is behind the souring of Scarlet Johannson’s relationship with Disney. Well, that, and the millions of dollars purportedly owed to her.
‘Black Widow’ is currently playing in cinemas throughout Malaysia.