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Matt Reeves redefined audiences’ expectations for the caped crusader in 2022 with his gritty depiction of Gotham City’s dark criminal underground in “The Batman.” While the film followed Robert Pattinson as the Dark Knight, there was one character in it that fans seemed to love almost as much – the Penguin.

After the film, fans wanted more of Oswald “Oz” Cobb, or the Penguin, and anxiously awaited the arrival of a series dedicated to him. As of Thursday, the wait is over, and it was well worth it. “The Penguin” is now streaming on Max, with new episodes released each week until Nov. 10.

“The Penguin” takes place after the events of “The Batman.” In episode one, Gotham is rebuilding from the destruction caused by the Riddler. However, the city isn’t the only thing that suffered at the hands of the poetic psychopath. The crime scene, especially the mafia in Gotham, is also trying to adjust to a new hierarchy established after the death of the previous acting boss Carmine Falcone.

Falcone is succeeded by his son Alberto, who is young and hungry but also problematic. To succeed someone as beloved and respected as Falcone is difficult, but to do it when you are marred by a history of addiction and reckless behavior makes it nearly impossible. Cobb recognizes this and seizes the opportunity set before him to pursue his goal of becoming the sole king of Gotham’s crime scene.

The show is spearheaded by a career-defining performance from Colin Farrell as the titular crime tycoon. He is almost unrecognizable as the character, abandoning his Irish accent and typical attractive demeanor to play a physically scarred and obese Italian mobster.

“The Penguin” is not portrayed in the typical fashion of comic book adaptations. The show’s tone is more closely aligned with shows like “The Sopranos,” as Farrell magnificently transforms into Oz Cobb the same way James Gandolfini transformed into Tony.

The first episode sets an extremely high standard for what’s to come. The dialogue is exceptional, the cinematography is scintillating and the occasional dose of humor is refreshing, considering how grim “The Batman” was. Farrell is excellent at conveying this slight bit of humor, delicately walking the line between psychopathy and light-heartedness.

The portrayal of the iconic DC Comics villain is also magnificent, as past portrayals have made the antagonist seem like a joke. While Danny Devito was great as the Penguin in Tim Burton’s “Batman Returns,” and Robin Lord Taylor did a fair job in the Fox show “Gotham,” the character was constantly disrespected by others. Farrell puts an end to this, as he immediately shows that his Penguin is not someone to be trifled with.

While he may be a conniving individual who will do whatever it takes to rise to the top, the Penguin is still well respected and valued in the Gotham crime scene. This is a refreshing take on a character so deeply ingrained in the history of Batman’s character.

Farrell is sensational in the role, but he might be exceeded by his co-star Cristin Milioti, who plays Sofia Falcone. Sofia, the daughter of Carmine and sister of Alberto, is fresh out of her stint in Arkham for her reign as “The Hangman Killer.” From the minute she appears on screen, you can tell Milioti is channeling this character to her fullest extent. You can sense by the look in her eyes that she can snap at any moment.

As the episode progresses, her lunacy becomes more prominent, and Milioti’s teetering between calm and deranged is a sight to behold.

The best part of Milioti is her natural chemistry with Farrell. The two have a natural rapport, and their dialogue and interactions seem effortless. You feel as though they truly are just two old friends with a very decorated past, now becoming foes in the new landscape of Gotham’s crime scene.

If this episode is any indication of the show’s trajectory, I have extremely high expectations for the remainder of the series. Also, with the recent news that Reeves has finished the script for “The Batman 2,” it seems this series will be key for leading into the film’s storyline.

DC seems to be in a very good position in 2024 and for years to come. After a bleak decade of film and television iterations of its stories, it seems DC has finally found its footing on the big screen of the modern age.

Published on September 23, 2024 at 10:44 pm