The Penguin led by Colin Farrell explores the story of a DC villain called Penguin who takes over Gotham city and becomes one of the vicious bosses in the city’s criminal underworld. The show is set to follow Oz’s rise to power after the death of Carmine Falcon in The Batman. The show doesn’t neglect the tone set by its OG film, nor does it ignore its main character and what it stands for. Disclaimer: This review is based on episode 1 of The Penguin in the DC universe.
The Penguin is based on Matt Reeves’ Batman universe and begins right after the end of Robert Pattinson’s film. We watch the end credits roll once again as new coverage of what The Riddler did. Much like us, Oswald Cobb feels bad for the people of the town only half of which was destroyed. Majorly the poor side of the townspeople suffer due to the flood and the riots that follow. It also leads to the massive inflow in the drugs business and the criminal activity in the city continues to grow.
Cobb understands these people and sympathizes with them. Not long ago he was one of them, but it doesn’t stop him from exploiting them which easily puts him on the wrong side of the law. With Falcon gone, he aims to take in what he can to make more money and to grow the distance between him and the people he sympathizes with. But the minute he is put in front of them, it is obvious the distance to the top is too vast to cover. Penguin will uncover his greed and how it will change him.
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The show does seem to humanise the character in the first episode possibly to evoke a stronger reaction from when his vicious side is revealed in the later episodes. Even after his debut on the big screen as Penguin, it is hard to define Colin under all the prosthetics, making this performance even more intriguing. From the costumes, accent, walk and more Colin seems to have given his best for the role and its obvious. As the character develops, it will be even more fun to see Penguin being played by Farrell.
The dialogues may not be punchy but with Colin’s performance, they don’t have to be. He does have a good chemistry with Victor Aguilar. Vic seems to be a new character developed for the show. A teen befriends Oz, and even though not on the best terms at first it seems like their friendship will define the tone and journey of the show. They also have some funny moments that lighten the dark and heavy tone of the screenplay but is also hints at the mental state of another DC character.
Cristin Milioti will be seen playing Sofia Falcone aka The Hangman. As the name proceeds, Cristin also plays another character with questionable choices on a daily basis. But as a possible mob boss, she too fits the bill. With only a few scenes across from Colin as Penguin, it becomes clear that watching them go at each other for another seven episodes is enough of drama for this show. But as the writers would have it, The Penguin inevitably will introduce more in the show as the story moves forward.
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Overall, The Penguin’s first episode leaves a strong impression but the pacing may take the usual audience a while to be pulled in.
Cover artwork by Patrick Gawande/Mashable India