What Is the Story About?
Carmine Falcone is murdered and Gotham is flooding because of the seawall destruction. The city is in shambles – there’s unrest, chaos and street violence. Looking set to take over his father’s empire, a trippy Alberto catches hold of Oswald Cobb. Something unthinkable happens over a verbal altercation and Oz takes the help of a juvenile delinquent to clear the mess. Oz soon bumps into Sofia, who’s just out of the asylum and later meets Salvator Maroni in prison.
Performances?
Colin Farrell breathes life into the portrayal of Oz a.k.a Penguin, the impulsive go-getter, who chases power and doesn’t have any sense of remorse. Be it the body language, his caustic humour and the timing of his lines, it’s hard to imagine anyone else in Penguin’s shoes.
Probably, one of the most exciting additions to The Penguin is Cristin Milioti, cast as Sofia Falcone, who acts like a woman possessed – delivering the extreme emotions of her character with ease. Rhenzy Feliz, playing Victor Aguilar, makes a promising entry and brings a newfound vibrancy to the backdrop.
Clancy Brown, as Salvatore, a former nemesis of Falcone, is perfectly cast as an experienced hand in the underworld who doesn’t trust people easily. Deirdre O’Connell and Michael Zegen (as a spoilt brat Alberto Falcone) add value to the show with their assured performances.
Analysis
Taking over from Matt Reeves, who offered a mature, noir-like exploration of Gotham City and reimagined Batman as an investigative hero in The Batman (2022), The Penguin looks at Oswald Cobb (a.k.a Oz) in a new light, trying to comprehend his idea of power and the motive behind his actions. And that’s a terrific opportunity to understand him beyond his conventional villainy.
In this universe, Gotham is a pale shadow of its past and moves beyond Bruce Wayne. The city hasn’t been in a bigger mess and Oz has an identity crisis of sorts. While the world around him is falling apart, he hatches a new plan to rule the city’s underworld and rise above the shadows of Falcone. However, when Oz’s verbal banter with Alberto takes a different turn, he must take a crucial decision.
Right within the first episode, The Penguin does a fabulous job of decoding the bitterness that’s eating up Oz – you get a firm idea of why he believes he’s the right choice to take charge of the city. The empathetic side of the man comes to the fore as he identifies with the struggles of a juvenile delinquent Victor (from the east side) and employs him to learn the ropes of the trade.
As Oz deals with a crisis, his mother gives him the strength to view it as an opportunity, as a new beginning. Everyone around him (but for Sofia) believes Oz is biting more than he can chew, but he’s merely giving himself a bigger shot at glory. He tries to shape his destiny rather than waiting for the right time to seize the day. The character establishment is as solid as it can get.
While The Batman enthusiasts get to unpack all the juicy details and the backstories behind the city, The Penguin is also a worthy effort to please a first-time viewer. In a male-dominated fictitious universe, it’s equally refreshing to watch a femme fatale like Sofia trying to claim her share of the pie. Without compromising on the detailing, Gotham gets a vibrant, gritty makeover.
The Penguin has a bit of everything you expect from a spin-off show – a genuine attempt to tap into the psyche of the protagonist (or do we say antagonist?), the power hierarchy within the underworld besides a dose of dark humour and philosophising. While ticking all the boxes from a fan checklist, the show is delightfully unconventional and it promises to get bitter, better and dramatic.
Music and Other Departments?
Mick Giacchino (the son of Michael Giacchino, who composed for The Batman) builds the right ambience to explore Oz’s character – the gloom in Gotham and does what it takes to ensure a rush of adrenaline in the action sequences. The vibrant colour palette is refreshing, while the production design and costumes contribute to the authenticity of the setting. Creator Lauren LeFranc does provide a new perspective to The Batman from many dimensions – visually, musically and in terms of character establishment.
Highlights?
Colin Farrell’s performance
The humanised character establishment of Oz
The technical detailing
Drawbacks?
Predictable, in terms of plot
Slow to take off
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes
The Penguin Review by Binged Bureau
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