'Black Widow' escapes prequel drawbacks 

Though it isn't the first picture in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to be set in the past, "Black Widow" is the franchise's first genuine prequel in many respects. Sure, we've had period thrillers starring Captain America and Captain Marvel, but they were character introductions, designed to conjure a specific time and location in order to inform us where those heroes came from before they interacted with other characters. “Black Widow,” Scarlett Johansson's highly anticipated debut standalone picture, does not have the luxury.

Between the events of "Captain America: Civil War" and "Avengers: Infinity War," director Cate Shortland's film fits into the Marvel timeline, placing it near the end of Natasha Romanoff's (Johansson) career alongside the Avengers and putting the audience in a position where we already know the character's final fate. As a result, it's easy to dismiss this picture as a conventional prequel, the sort that sculpts precise tiny jigsaw pieces to explain every aspect of a character's past before fitting them into the wider tapestry in a way that contributes nothing to the personality or story.

Fortunately, there's more going on here than ticking off a list of unresolved concerns about the character, her history, and her motivations. “Black Widow” rises above the many prequel movies traps to produce an emotionally gratifying, forward-looking Marvel narrative that also allows Johansson one final chance to shine, thanks to sleek, innovative action sequences and excellent performances from an all-new supporting cast.

Engineered as a spy thriller in the manner of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Black Widow” begins with the title character on the run from the authorities after refusing to comply with new international legislation that would effectively subject superheroes to a supervision committee. Her aim is to hide for as long as she has to until a strange parcel with ties to her history arrives. Yelena (Florence Pugh), Natasha's "sister" in spydom, has unearthed a sinister plot linked to Natasha's training and the organization she worked for before defecting and becoming an Avenger. To confront her history and prevent future suffering, Natasha is forced to return to her roots, which includes a visit with her adopted spy mother (Rachel Weisz) and super-soldier adoptive father (David Harbour), which brings up old scars.

Because she has been in so many Marvel films up to this point, it may be difficult to conceive what a Black Widow solo picture may provide that we haven't previously seen, but Shortland's directing immediately puts that fear to rest. She provides the action, and she comes it with passion, heart, and a great sense of character, but there's also a feeling of tenderness that's lacking from certain other action-driven Marvel characters, including recent releases like "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier." Other Marvel films don't shy away from emotion, but they'd rather tell you about it than show you. Shortland is capable of doing both, infusing even the film's worst moments with genuine emotional stakes that make you root not just for the individuals, but also for the better future they're actively attempting to create.

Of course, it wouldn't be possible without the cast, and it's here that "Black Widow" displays its most valuable attributes, even beyond the Marvel brand's immovable strength. Johansson is consistently, effortlessly terrific in the part that launched her career, imbuing this version of Natasha with fresh passion when she might have easily sleepwalked through it. The newcomers, notably Pugh, who sets herself up for future MCU stardom with a comedic performance as Yelena, are the true stars of the picture. Even if she doesn't appear in another Marvel picture, which seems doubtful, she'll be remembered as one of the franchise's great scene stealers.

Beyond the excellent directing and flawless acting, maybe the most surprising and pleasant aspect of "Black Widow" is how fresh it seems, especially given the format's proclivity for staleness. This might have been a filler picture, relying on brand awareness and the basic premise that a long-overdue solo adventure for a fan-favorite character was finally happening. Instead, “Black Widow” is the type of movie that reminds us why we enjoy these films in the first place: an intimate and panoramic look at a larger world, and a narrative about how one person can make a huge impact with a tiny story.

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‘Black Widow’ is in theaters and on Disney+ July 9.