After the triumph of The Batman in 2022, the spin-off series The Penguin plunges us once again into the bowels of Gotham and its criminal underworld. But if Colin Farrell fades into the background behind the iconic mafioso from the Batman universe, the series has chosen the wrong title: the star is Sofia Falcone. Our opinion, without spoilers.
2024 definitely seems to be an exceptional year for Batman fans. After the excellent animated series on Prime Video, Caped Crusaderduring the summer, the start of the school year highlights another cult character from the DC Comics universe: The Penguinavailable from September 20, 2024 on Max. This spin-off of the film The Batmandirected by Matt Reeves (Planet of the Apes) and who had given the superhero a more depressive face, here abandons the Dark Knight to interfere in the world of crime.
In this discovery of the depths of Gotham, we thought we had only one master: the Penguin, played by the giant Colin Farrell, who is trying to make a place for himself among the stars, after the death of his boss, Carmine Falcone. But halfway through the 8 episodes, the series takes us by surprise with an unexpected evidence: Max’s series should have been called Sofia Falcone.
A laugh even more Machiavellian than that of the Joker
When we meet The Penguin, or Oz Cobb, he is literally at the top. Overlooking the city of Gotham from his window, this silent but imposing being seems to be thinking about his future. And it will be anything but radiant, like the city he contemplates, plunged into a dark night pierced only by orange neon lights and constant rain. However, a simple glance from the mafioso and anxiety invades us.
When his Machiavellian laugh, almost more sinister than that of the Joker, rings out after a few minutes of episode 1, we already know that The Penguin is going to terrify us, and fascinate us at the same time. For 30 minutes, we are therefore given this villain: his desires, his motivations, his past, his temperament.
The Penguin is just a pawn in Sofia Falcone’s game
Then, halfway through the first episode, the series takes us by surprise to reveal the true heroine of the story: Sofia Falcone, the daughter of Carmine, the Penguin’s former boss and Gotham’s master of crime. Sofia, however, is no joke either and immediately establishes herself as an antagonist even more formidable and dangerous than Batman’s adversary himself.
In this new variation of the DC Comics universe, the Penguin sometimes appears as a pathetic idiot, immersed in a strange atmosphere between drama and comedy. Then, over the course of the 8 episodes, the tone darkens and the key protagonist of the series gradually shows his true face: that of a coward, who will stop at nothing to climb the ladder and make a place for himself among the greatest. He thus has the impression of winning different chess games at once, without realizing that he is only a pawn in Sofia Falcone’s game of revenge.
Cristin Milioti, queen of the series
When leaving The Batmanwe were only talking about two actors: Robert Pattinson, the most depressed Dark Knight in the world, and Colin Farrell, absolutely unrecognizable under the Penguin costume. And already, for this spin-off, the actor’s name is everywhere again. His work is indeed impressive, as he fades behind the features of the merciless mafioso.
He becomes the Penguin, it’s undeniable. He is perfectly supported by the attention to detail given to his accessories, like his purple car with gold ornaments. It mischievously recalls the character’s usual colors.
But in front of him, we should not forget the talent of Cristin Milioti (How I Met Your Mother, Palm Springs) to play Sofia Falcone. Episode 4, which is dedicated to her, allows the actress to reach her peak, with the story of this young woman deeply betrayed by her own people. We see her reborn from the ashes of Arkham after more than ten years behind bars, to become the greatest ambassador of chaos.
It is also worth noting the remarkable work done on her costumes, which evolve with her, as this luxury Harley Quinn descends into the bowels of hell.
The rhythm falls like a soufflé
Over the course of the 8 episodes of The Penguinit is thus Cristin Milioti who piques our curiosity the most. If the first episode is exceptional, perfectly laying all the foundations of the plot, the narration thus falls flat. Apart from a few flashes of brilliance, like the breathtaking opening scene of episode 3, or the masterful conclusion of episode 4, The Penguin struggles to find its rhythm, and above all its style.
Contrary to The Batmanfor which Matt Reeves imposed his singular vision, the production of this spin-off is flat, without any real idea of staging, with the exception of episode 8 — directed with a master’s hand by Jennifer Getzinger (Jessica Jones, Westworld). The rest of the time, it must be admitted that the series, inspired by Scarface et The Sopranosregularly drags on. The clashes between mafias and the drug stories end up boring us.
It must be said that The Penguin is never as brilliant as when she examines the traumas of her characters, only to make them resurface, or when she gives free rein to Sofia and the Penguin, both great manipulators, during anthology negotiation scenes. But are we now surprised to see that Sofia Falcone always saves the day? The Penguin ?
The verdict
We liked
- Sofia Falcone, reine de The Penguin
- Colin Farrell, magistral
- The character of Victor
- The History of the Hangman
- The Penguin’s Purple Car
- Sofia Falcone, always
We liked less
- No visual identity
- Too many lengths
- The Penguin gets the spotlight stolen
The Penguin was supposed to show us the almighty power of Colin Farrell (The Batman), disappearing under the guise of Oz Cobb, one of Batman’s most iconic adversaries. And this is indeed the case, to a certain extent. The DC Comics villain is thus relegated to the background by an even more ruthless antagonist: Sofia Falcone, played by the dazzling Cristin Milioti (How I Met Your Mother). She is the one who saves the series from its lengths, with anthology negotiation sequences and a remarkable evolution towards the underworld. A true queen, who deserves her own spin-offin his name this time.
Source: www.numerama.com
