As a lifelong fan of Batman, I must say that after watching the trailer for The Penguin, I am utterly intrigued. This series seems to have taken a fresh and captivating approach to one of Gotham City’s most iconic villains.
I’m thrilled about all the upcoming DC films and TV series within James Gunn’s revamped DCU, but my diehard fandom is particularly looking forward to Matt Reeves’ “The Batman: Part II,” despite being two years older by the time it releases. Fortunately, HBO’s spinoff “The Penguin” is almost here to bridge the gap with a Gotham City crime story unlike any other. And while I risk offending fans everywhere — let’s call it Bat-related heresy? — Oswald Cobblepot steals the spotlight from Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of Batman.
To be honest, it’s uncertain if Robert Pattinson’s brooding Bruce Wayne can experience emotions like shame. However, after binge-watching the entire series of The Penguin, I have a strange sense of conviction about this: nothing that transpires in any future The Batman sequels will make me appreciate the Caped Crusader more on screen than I did with Farrell’s Oz. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!
The Penguin’s Oz Is DC’s Most Well-Rounded Live-Action Villain To Date
Batman films and series have consistently delivered captivating and chaotic villains, with The Penguin being one we’ve seen portrayed exceptionally well. From Danny DeVito’s peculiar character in “Batman Returns” to Burgess Meredith’s sitcom-esque madman with a top hat, and Robin Lord Taylor’s younger crime boss in “Gotham”. However, when it comes to exploring characters, particularly those from comic book adaptations, an eight-hour HBO series might offer the most superior format.
Following my initial encounter with Colin Farrell’s Oz in “The Batman”, I thought I was in for a crime drama about a subordinate’s relentless climb to power by any means necessary. Indeed, “The Penguin” lived up to that expectation. However, what took me by surprise was the rich, three-dimensional portrayal of the character, which encompassed almost the entire range of emotional and behavioral facets.
In simpler terms, “The Penguin” comic book series stands out as it can effectively function without any specific comic book details since the showrunners, led by Lauren LeFranc, never aimed to create a wink-and-a-nudge tribute for fans. Instead, this story is deeply rooted in the tragic and complex life of Oz.
Colin Farrell Explodes With A Career-Best Performance
To put it simply, without Colin Farrell giving an outstanding performance, all the effort poured into The Penguin by writers and directors could have gone to waste. However, he delivers a top-notch acting lesson in his portrayal of the slippery underworld villain, exuding oozing charm that’s both repulsive and evokes a mix of disgust and unwilling empathy.
After the occurrences in “The Batman”, Carmine Falcone’s demise led to a power vacuum in Gotham City’s criminal world. Upon her release from Arkham Asylum, Sophia Falcone aimed to seize this opportunity and assert control. However, her mission became significantly more complex due to Oswald’s bold maneuvers to claim his own territory within the underworld, simultaneously. Meanwhile, imprisoned mob boss Sal Maroni (Clancy Brown) was orchestrating things from behind bars.
Additionally featuring Deirdre O’Connell as the mentally unstable character Francis, Oz’s mother, and Rhenzy Feliz portraying trauma victim Victor Aguilar, Oz’s driver, The Penguin boasts an abundance of acting prowess. However, Farrell excels even among this stellar cast, delivering a remarkable performance despite being hidden beneath thick layers of prosthetics and makeup, making it almost inconceivable that the Oscar-nominated (and undoubtedly future Emmy-nominated) Irishman lies beneath.
Oz Is Surrounded By Friends And Foes To Play Off Of Who Inform His History
Penguin, generally speaking, is not one of Batman’s complex adversaries and usually functions as a quirky link between Gotham City’s serious criminal organizations and its more flamboyant villains. Unlike some other aspects of Batman’s live-action lore that heavily rely on the Wayne family murders and Bruce’s long years of training to shape his vigilante mentality, this particular character doesn’t carry as many intricate backstories.
In both “Batman Returns” and the series “Gotham,” Oswald’s family life was explored, with Paul Reubens portraying a significant role as a father figure. Additionally, some comics have creatively tackled his past. However, “The Penguin” takes this exploration to another level, delving deeper into various aspects of his story. This includes his relationships with other crime bosses, his intricate bond with his mother, and even the unusual romance between him and Eve Karlo, portrayed by Carmen Ejogo.
In his interactions with Miliotti’s Sophia and the peculiar relationships he forms with characters like Victor from Feliz, it’s clear that the creators of “The Penguin” could have simply filled the story with faceless individuals for Oz to eliminate en route to becoming kingpin. However, almost every character here is crucial and valuable, each one contributing significantly to fleshing out the character of Oz, making them worth their weight in any sought-after substance from Gotham City.
Nobody’s Afraid Of The Big Black Bat Here, And I Totally Buy It
It wouldn’t be surprising if some viewers express disappointment that Batman doesn’t appear in “The Penguin”, given that the creative team has been clear about this from the beginning. The focus of this tale is squarely on Colin Farrell’s character, Oz, who has climbed the ranks of the Carmine empire for decades without encountering any caped crusaders. As such, it seems unlikely that he would suddenly become concerned about such matters at this point in his career.
In a subtle manner, The Penguin exploits Gotham City’s geography and class disparities to explain why there are fewer Batman-related allusions and appearances. Even though the storyline coincides with Edward Nygma’s Riddler being apprehended, it doesn’t mean that Batman has become a common household figure in his second year of crime-fighting. Additionally, Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of Batman lacks the extensive surveillance capabilities that accumulate over time.
In time, perhaps after numerous instances of saving the city from progressively ominous adversaries, Robert Pattinson’s Batman might evolve into a fully fleshed-out character that viewers can comprehend and empathize with, regardless of not having 80 years of Batman history. However, by the conclusion of “The Penguin,” spectators may depart with the conviction that they have gained a comprehensive understanding of Colin Farrell’s Oswald Cobblepot, from his deformed head to his deformed feet. Despite his ability to carry out heinous actions, there is something about him that I find appealing. As for Bruce Wayne, not so much.
The Penguin will premiere on HBO and Max on Thursday, September 19, at 9:00 p.m. ET.
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2024-09-13 05:07