Last week, DC's The Penguin premiered on HBO. It's a new series created by Lauren LaFranc and streaming on HBO Max. This series is a direct continuation of 2022's The Batman, directed by Matt Reeves. For fans who miss Nolan's brooding Dark Knight as well as the kitsch of Burton, prepare to reserve a spot for The Penguin on your favorites shelf.
Let's talk about the standout performance: casting. Colin Farrell reprises his role as the title character, but this time with the humor we've come to expect from his McDonough films. He adds new depth to his portrayal of Oz Cobb. Behind his severe gaze, there's a mischievous quality and a sensitivity that may have been disregarded by fans of previous representations. Farrell fully embraces the flaws that make Oz a troublesome member of a crime family, while quietly scheming to rise to the top. The penguin's flamboyant and abashed nature isn't meant to mock, but rather demonstrates his uncompromising strength. Despite his disability, he refuses to let it define him or allow others to see him as a caricature. In one scene, we see Oz proudly boasting about an air freshener in his car after putting a dead body in its trunk. For Oz Cobb, the small beauties in life speak louder than his words or actions. He's crafty and coming into his villianous nature.
Cristin Milioti is a baddy in the best possible way. For the first time in this franchise, we see a female as multidimensional without resting on her sexuality to turn a few heads. Sofia Falcone has a complicated time balancing boundaries. Her violent character is only minimized by her keen sense of awareness, and survival means more than staying out of the way. It's family first by any means necessary. You get the impression that the men of the family place their sense of security on the family's Pit Bull. Don't let her past full you; however, in any other actresses' hands, this portrayal could have come off as camp, but for Milioti, the tiny twitches, secrets behind the eyes, body language, and delivery of lines make her one of the sole reasons I will return to watch week after week.
Rhenzy Feliz takes on the role of Victor Aguliar, a much-needed foil to Oz's impulsivity and emotional instability. In Victor, we have a protégée who pays attention to the issues Oz seems to neglect. Finally, The Penguin has his own Robin, and we, as fans, get a villain worth rooting for. The unique dynamics between these characters add a layer of intrigue to the series.
Second to the cast, the production crew and set designers have created a work of art. If you've ever found yourself squinting at the scene trying to see beyond the overcast shadows that are supposed to illicit a sense of danger around the corner, fret not. Your eyes are saved to lighting that allows you to take in the full scene. and you don't want to blink. The meticulous attention to detail in the set design immerses you in the world of Gotham, and the action and dialogue move fast enough to keep you from trying to scroll through your phone.
Let us not neglect the story. It's all there. The past builds toward a darker future, easter eggs of characters without their fair share of screen time. Backstories and excellent character depth that until recently have been ignored entirely. All the ducks are strategically placed in a line to connect the original DC comic mythology arch to the numerous incantations of the character's storyline. I would not be the least bit surprised if, in the future, both creators continue to collaborate on what could become extended teaser trailers for new films in this exciting new take on the franchise. We, as fans, should all be excited to see where this can go.
The first episode of this limited series aired Thursday, September 19th, however the next episode won't be available until Sunday, September 29th. Streaming on HBO Max.
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