With Max, Warner Bros. is giving itself a golden opportunity to explore some of its cinematic universes. At DC, many series will emerge to accompany the universe of James Gunn and Peter Safran. In addition to these productions “official”, The Penguin will focus on the character played by Colin Farrell in Matt Reeves’ film. While Carmine Falcone and The Ridler were at the epicenter of the story, Oswald Cobblepot also had a few memorable scenes dedicated to him in 2022. The narration will also explore the consequences of the Dark Knight’s last adventure through the eyes of the legendary antagonist.
Shortly after the events of The Batmanwhich led to Falcone’s death, Gotham’s underworld no longer has a true leader. Oswald sees this as an opportunity to climb the social ladder, to use this event to his advantage. But Sofia’s returnFalcone’s daughter, thwarts his plans. The Penguin is now faced with an enemy like he has never seen before… A few days before its release on our screens, on September 20, The Penguin offers its first reviews. Has the series won over the press? S
The Sopranos in Gotham City
After the film noir, Gotham is adorned with new colors. To the police thriller of Matt Reeves’ film, Laura LeFranc’s series prefers gangster production. In eight episodes, it is the rise of a criminal that will be told. The first reviews applaud this part of the narrative, visibly well mastered and captivating. For Podcast Movie, The Penguin “is the series of the year and the perfect mix between Batman and The Sopranos”. A sentiment shared by the Financial Times, which praises “the story’s interest in the human experiences and societal failures that create someone like Oz and corrupt others like Victor.” Martin Robinson of the newspaper London Evening Standard advance that the “Mafia movie fans will love this five-star series”. IndieWire sees this as a “superhero spin-off series that serves as a Trumpian allegory that deserves to be appreciated”. Variety calls The Penguin “a masterful examination of crime, the series is twisted, disturbing and deeply gripping.”
Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti at the top of their game?
If Farrell had already demonstrated his talent in The Batmanthe series offers him an opportunity to shine even more. The press agrees that the Irish actor is impressive, even hidden under a large mass of silicone. For Empire, his performance as well as that of Cristin Millioti (Sofia Falcone) are “excellent”. London Evening Standard adds that Colin Farrell “finds the sweetest and most evil places, between Tony Soprano and De Niro’s Vito Corleone”. MovieWeb does not hesitate to advise the actor, he must:
“make room on his Emmy shelf. His second appearance as Oswald Cobblepot is simply extraordinary. He leads a phenomenal cast in a raw, violent and psychologically disturbing gangster epic.”
Is everyone won over?
Sur Rotten Tomatoes, The Penguin displays the excellent score of 93% favorable opinionsthrough 45 press reviews. The trend is therefore rather in favour of a success for the new HBO series. Some journalists are however less enthusiastic, starting with the Daily Telegraph which regrets “a slow pace. Despite all the efforts of Farrell and Milioti, this spin-off is really not worth it”Rolling Stone agrees, arguing that “All that latex prevents Farrell from accessing his innate charisma. And it’s a mob drama with plenty of carnage, but it lacks a sufficiently compelling or complex character at the center of that chaos.”. Finally, The Hollywood Reporter note that the series has the same defects as its predecessors.
“Like far too many series of this type, it offers us cycles of colorful threats, sadistic torture and predictable betrayals and body disposals, all with professional refinement, but without creativity.”
Even among enthusiastic journalists, many are those who deplore the absence of Batman. This is undoubtedly the main challenge faced by this spin-off production, navigating a universe largely affiliated with the Dark Knight without ever summoning him. According to the critics, this is where the shoe pinches… To discover The Penguin, Max invites its subscribers from September 20th. An episode will be offered every Friday during eight weeksenough to fuel the conversations of fans of Batman and his universe.
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