HBO's The Penguin REVIEW - NO SPOILERS - Batman 2024

Summary

The reviewer delves into the new HBO series 'The Penguin,' set in the DC universe, emphasizing its deep connection to the Batman franchise. Despite initial reservations due to the lack of iconic characters and Easter eggs, the show wins over with its character-driven narrative, reminiscent of old-school Batman comics. The series is a hard R, with intense content similar to 'Scarface,' and features a compelling performance by Colin Farrell. The reviewer, a hardcore Batman fan, suggests that viewers might need to binge-watch to fully appreciate the series, questioning the weekly release format. They also propose the idea of exploring other Batman villains' origin stories in future seasons, hinting at the show's potential beyond its current run.

Takeaways

• 😀 The reviewer has mixed feelings about 'The Penguin', initially only liking 50% of it but eventually growing to love it.
• 🕵️‍♂️ The show is a deep dive into the character study of Oswald Cobblepot, focusing on his rise within Gotham's crime families without significant comic book action.
• 🥚 The absence of Batman and other familiar Gotham characters like Jim Gordon makes the show unique but also raises questions about the narrative choices.
• 🎭 Colin Farrell's portrayal of The Penguin is central to the show, with his performance being bold and transformative.
• 🚫 The show is rated hard R, similar in graphic content to movies like 'Scarface', making it inappropriate for family viewing.
• 📺 The series is reminiscent of 'The Sopranos' and Fox's 'Gotham', with a gritty and mature take on the crime genre.
• 🎬 The show's setting and use of existing sets from 'The Batman' movie add to its authenticity, despite being disconnected from the main Batman narrative.
• 📈 The series starts slow, with the first two episodes not fully capturing the show's potential until episode three, where it begins to excel.
• 📺 The format of the show, with a week-long gap between episodes, might not suit its narrative style, which is better suited for binge-watching.
• 🔁 The reviewer suggests that future seasons could focus on different Batman villains, providing standalone origin stories for each character.

Q & A

What is the reviewer's initial stance on 'The Penguin' series?

The reviewer initially has mixed feelings, appreciating some aspects of 'The Penguin' but also expressing concerns about its potential to engage viewers deeply.

Why does the reviewer believe that being a deep fan of the Batman franchise is essential for enjoying 'The Penguin'?

The reviewer suggests that a deep appreciation for the Batman franchise is necessary to fully appreciate 'The Penguin' due to its character-driven narrative and lack of traditional comic book action.

What does the reviewer compare 'The Penguin' to in terms of its storytelling style?

The reviewer likens 'The Penguin' to old school Batman comic book miniseries that focused on individual stories of Batman's Rogues Gallery, as well as to TV shows like 'The Sopranos' and Fox's 'Gotham'.

Why does the reviewer find it strange that Batman does not appear in 'The Penguin'?

The reviewer is puzzled by Batman's absence in 'The Penguin' given the significant events that occur in the series that would typically warrant the hero's involvement, especially considering the character's strong ties to Gotham City.

What is the reviewer's opinion on the lack of Easter eggs in 'The Penguin'?

The reviewer views the near absence of Easter eggs as a mistake, as they believe it could have helped to create more engaging content for the audience, especially those familiar with the Batman universe.

How does the reviewer describe the tone and content of 'The Penguin'?

The reviewer describes 'The Penguin' as having a hard R rating, with content that is gritty and reminiscent of gangster films like 'Scarface', and suggests that it may not be suitable for family viewing.

What does the reviewer think about the casting and performances in 'The Penguin'?

The reviewer praises the performances, particularly Colin Farrell as Penguin and Christina Ricci, noting that they are well-cast and carry the show, while also expressing some disappointment with the performances of other familiar faces.

What is the reviewer's suggestion for the future of the Batman franchise on HBO?

The reviewer proposes that future seasons could focus on the origin stories of different Batman villains, allowing the movies to concentrate more on Batman's story.

Why does the reviewer believe 'The Penguin' might not work well as a weekly show?

The reviewer thinks 'The Penguin' might not be suited for a weekly release due to its slow build-up and the fact that it was designed more as a binge-watch experience, which could affect viewership and engagement.

What does the reviewer hope for in terms of audience reception and discussion of 'The Penguin'?

The reviewer hopes that the audience will have a positive experience with 'The Penguin' and engage in discussions, but acknowledges the challenge of sustaining interest without the presence of iconic characters like Batman.