The Penguin review by Bobby Blakey
Throughout the years there have been so many different projects featuring the Caped Crusader and his band of unique villains. In 2022 Robert Pattinson donned the cowl for Matt Reeves version of the Dark Knight in The Batman. One of the standout characters in the film was Colin Ferrell’s portrayal of The Penguin who was quickly announced he was getting his own series on the MAX streaming service. Now the award-winning series is getting ready to come home to join the rest of your Batman themed features.
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The Penguin follows the events of The Batman (2022) with Oz Cobb, a.k.a. the Penguin, making a play to seize the reins of the crime world in Gotham. In addition to Ferrell returning to the role of the Penguin, this series co-stars Cristin Miloti, Rhenzy Feliz, Carmen Ejogo, Theo Rossi, Clancy Brown, Michael Kelly, and Shohreh Aghdashloo.
As much as I loved The Batman, I was bummed that Farrell’s Oz didn’t get more screen time. Of they used it more of a platform for his own side story while following the Batman/Riddler case at the center of the film. When they announced he was getting his own series I was excited, but how would it work without any Batman involvement and what they ended up delivering was so much better than I had hoped.
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The real-world approach to this Bat-verse allowed them to keep this series grounded and I was so happy they didn’t feel the need to try and make some wild comic element to it and instead just deliver a crime drama. The series had the tones of a great mob series like The Sopranos while keeping the universe connected in its own way to the film. It takes us on a journey to continue the rise of OZ to Penguin status through the crime families with nods to numerous comic stories like Batman the Long Halloween.
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This is Farrell’s show all the way. His unrecognizable look is masterfully pulled off by the brilliant make-up team. He never comes across as anything but that guy and is grotesque and scary at times. Taking a seemingly unassuming character like Penguin and making him something you fear both physically and emotionally while still believing he could exist is the reason it works. Despite his violent nature and uncomfortable appearance, there are times you start to feel bad for him and root for him in his quest for status. The show wraps with a scene that will no doubt upset people but also reminds everyone just how heartless he really is even when he does care.
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The supporting cast are all good with Cristin Miloti standing out as the psychotic Sofia Falcone. She has subtle terror behind her eyes, let you know that even with her small stature and calm demeanor there is something else darker there you must watch out for. As the story progresses, she becomes more and more unhinged and in turn so much more fun to watch.
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I loved this show and while I would love another season, there is a part of me that would just like to see him now get his moment on the big screen against Batman. Who knows what the plans are other than his confirmed appearance, but for now we can still revel in the brilliance of this series that is a perfect companion piece to The Batman.
In addition to all the episodes of the series this release offers up bonus content including numerous featurettes taking fans behind bringing this next chapter of The Batman to life. Witness the rise of one of the most iconic villains in Gotham city when The Penguin comes to 4K, Blu-ray and DVD on March 18th from Warner Bros Home Entertainment.