Black Widow Review: 5 Ups & 5 Downs

2. The Wonky Pacing

Pacing is also a major issue here, for though the film clocks in at a fairly beefy 134 minutes, various elements feel extremely rushed while others are the complete opposite.

The first and third act are committed to cramming in so much plot and action, while also introducing us to a host of new characters, that it ends up feeling too hurried for its own good.

The second act, meanwhile, slows down and gives scenes time to breathe, perhaps a bit too much in some cases, when a more judicious edit could've allowed the movie to clip forward a little more consistently.

The final act in particular is a hurried avalanche of reveals and attempts to give Natasha a fitting send-off, leaving one feeling like the script overwhelmed itself with too much.

Perhaps something simpler that was less cluttered with people and apocalyptic villain plots would've allowed the story to unfold in a manner that felt less like completing a checklist - and occasionally, wading through treacle.