The embargo for social media reactions on Marvel's long awaited and highly delayed Black Widow movie has lifted and the tweets of critics are rolling in. The movie, originally scheduled to release in 2020, finally shifted to a simultaneous Disney+ Premiere Access and theatrical release after being repeatedly bumped off the schedule. Was the wait worth it? According to many reactions--yes.

　　Early response to Black Widow seems extremely positive, specifically nodding to Florence Pugh who makes her MCU debut as Yelena Belova, another Black Widow agent who sees Natasha as something of a sister.

　　CBR's Megan Damore called Pugh an "absolute standout," whose future in the MCU looks bright.

　　The #BlackWidow cast is great at building fun, larger-than-life characters, but Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova is an ABSOLUTE STANDOUT. Marvel fans will ADORE her. I walked away from this movie excited about her future involvement in the MCU. She'll be an instant fan favorite.

　　— Meagan Damore (@metathor) June 17, 2021

　　Meanwhile, several members of the press nodded to the surprising amount of comedy worked into the "bleak" tone.

　　Marvel fans rejoice: #BlackWidow is outstanding and an arguably S-tier entry in the MCU. Like Civil War, an aggressively bleak tone and dark story is balanced by legit LOL family comedy. Action is brutal; this is the first MCU film I've seen where stunts look like it hurts. pic.twitter.com/gkPLHGoPVb

　　— BDG Union Member Eric Francisco (@EricFrancisco24) June 17, 2021

　　I really liked Black Widow!! One of the funnier MCU movies, w/a ton of self-referential jokes for longtime fans, enough self-awareness to make the absurdity work. Florence Pugh & David Harbour steal the show. Definitely has some issues. But dug it! Absolutely see it in theaters! pic.twitter.com/i8s96I14It

　　— julia alexander (@loudmouthjulia) June 17, 2021

　　I saw #BlackWidow last night. It's a solid Marvel movie with two incredible action set pieces. It's also way funnier than I was expecting — like Ragnarok-level comedy. But what holds this movie together is a story of found family that puts the Fast and Furious franchise to shame.

　　— Jake (@jacobkleinman) June 17, 2021

　　Many other critics brought up comparisons to action franchises like James Bond and The Bourne Identity, citing massive action set pieces and the directing style of Cate Shortland, who, like Pugh, is also making her MCU debut. Others used comparison to Mission Impossible and Thema & Louise.

　　Dug #BlackWidow a good deal! Was kinda worried about watching this story unfold knowing what’s to come in Endgame, that it might diminish the stakes, but that wasn’t the case. In fact, this is the kind of prequel story that feels bound to enhance other installments of the MCU. pic.twitter.com/sFcwHzW30Y

　　— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) June 17, 2021

　　Marvel movies are back! #BlackWidow is a tense, action-packed spy thriller that truly completes Natasha’s story in a visceral & emotional way. Florence Pugh CRUSHES it & is an instant MCU icon. This is like the MCU's Bond movie w/ shades of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE & THELMA & LOUISE. pic.twitter.com/bauc2XVQlF

　　— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) June 17, 2021

　　And of course, it wouldn't be a social media embargo lift day without writer Ben Mekkler getting in on the fun with a tweet about the zanniness of the "Russian JC Penny" chase you definitely won't be seeing in the film but will probably want to imagine nonetheless.

　　Honestly blown away by #BlackWidow. It’s low-key one of Marvel’s finest - an emotional story with great performance and a high-stakes chase through a “Russian JCPenney” that might be one of the zaniest and most badass action scenes in MCU history. Fans are gonna love it

　　— ben mekler (@benmekler) June 17, 2021

　　Black Widow hits theaters and Disney+ Premier Access on July 9.