Black Widow Final Trailer: Breakdown

After a rather long period of waiting since the previous MCU film (at least in terms of Marvel standards), we will soon be able to re-enter this world once more. And if this trailer is anything to go by, what a pleasure that is going to be…

This new trailer brings the overlying plot to the forefront, establishing a level of intrigue through the threat of main villain Taskmaster, whilst also displaying a deeply personal journey for Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff.

Speaking of Tony Masters (yes, the name is still stupid), Taskmaster looks perfectly suited to take on the role of the big bad, boasting an impressive arsenal of abilities ripped straight from the move sets of our favourite Avengers — Cap’s shield throw, Hawkeye’s archery skills, and Black Panther’s iconic claw pose standout the most.

'Wakanda forever' — Credit: Marvel Studios

For the comic book uninitiated, Taskmaster gains his remarkable abilities by watching the movements of others, allowing him the perfect ability to replicate anything he sees without fault. In fact, he can be observed watching footage of Natasha’s first outing in Iron Man 2, which is always a pleasant reminder of how far this blockbuster franchise has progressed before it became the true box office behemoth we know and adore. Interestingly, he also seems to have a camera attached to his mask, which makes sense when you think about it.

A blast from the past — Credit: Marvel Studios

What is more interesting is the reveal that Taskmaster controls the suitably named ‘Red Room’, with Florence Pugh’s Yelena describing the antagonistic Widows as ‘fully conscious but no choices’. Could these ruthless assassins actually be victims in their own rite? It would make for a strong tale of redemption as Natasha seeks to liberate her enslaved sisters.

Natasha returns to the 'Red Room' — Credit: Marvel Studios

Speaking of sisters, the trailer gives us a detailed look at the family dynamic between Yelena, Red Guardian (David Harbour), and Rachel Weisz’s character. Even with these small glimpses we have been shown, I already feel engrossed in their personal journeys. But this is by no means surprising given the breadth of acting talent on display here.

With the inclusion of such a competent group of fighters, it is also good to see a marked improvement in the fight choreography, taking a dramatic step up in terms of flair and contending with the likes of Winter Soldier and Civil War. This is made even more visually stunning through the surplus of Widows, creating a threat level far beyond that of your average goons and striking an intimidating form through their matching outfits and focused lethality.

Family comes in all forms — Credit: Marvel Studios

To wrap things up, I have seen people argue that this film is pointless and questioning what reason we have to watch it. But I contend that what makes these people view it as insignificant is exactly what makes it unmissable. Prior to this film, there was very little sense of independence. Every character was moving one way — towards the next grand ensemble team up. But now we have the chance to become totally engrossed in the journey of Natasha, unabashed and unshackled by the requirements of its existence in the MCU. Remember, every Marvel character should be able to stand alone — they’ve always done so in the comics. Team ups are a reward for our individual investment. Future films could surely learn from this, so let’s hope the box office justifies a continuation of this trend.