THE PENGUIN Review Roundup: DC Crime Drama Receives Praise But Leaves Many Critics Asking, "Where's Batman?"

THE PENGUIN Review Roundup: DC Crime Drama Receives Praise But Leaves Many Critics Asking, "Where's Batman?"

The review embargo has lifted for HBO's The Penguin series and while The Batman spin-off is being praised by critics, some are questioning the Dark Knight's absence and the necessity of this story...

By JoshWilding - Sep 12, 2024 12:09 PM EST
Filed Under: The Batman

The reviews are in for HBO's The Batman spin-off The Penguin and it's so far faring pretty well with critics. There are some mixed verdicts, though none that are outright negative and there's an interesting divide between those who feel this is The Sopranos 2.0 and others who see it as a pale imitation of the classic crime series.

One major gripe is Batman's distracting absence and it appears that, for as good as Colin Farrell is, it's Cristin Milioti who steals the show as Sofia Falcone. 

There are also those questioning the necessity of a series about The Penguin, though it sounds like the show squeezes in a lot of story (likely to establish Oz as a major threat in The Batman II when it's released in theaters two years from now).

In Variety's review, it's said that "[Oz's] fixation on power blossoms into something so grotesque it becomes uncontainable. A masterful examination of criminality, the show is twisted, disturbing and deeply enthralling."

The Hollywood Reporter wasn't quite so impressed, calling the story "an accelerated clash that rushes through three or four seasons of plot in these eight episodes." In fact, the trade argues that the series ultimately boils down to "various bad guys making similar and repetitively violent power plays, in which alliances are made but then too hastily broken for any pleasure to be taken in even the most fruitful of character interactions."

Over to Empire Online, the site's review concludes by saying The Penguin is "a spin-off that makes this return to Gotham feel both necessary and earned, with excellent performances from Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti." As for Total Film, they wrap up with, "More gangster saga than comic book adaptation, The Penguin is a fresh take on its titular villain, but it’s Cristin Milioti who really shines as the brutal and captivating Sofia Falcone."

As you might expect, Batman's absence from the HBO series is an issue for many critics. Entertainment Weekly wasn't too bothered about the Caped Crusader not showing up but pointed out, "though The Penguin accomplishes its goal of telling a Batman story without Batman, viewers may be left wondering around the fifth or sixth episode of this eight-part series, "Wait, why am I watching a show about the Penguin again?"

TV Line adds, "It’s fine to not have Robert Pattinson in his cowl and cape actually pop up in the series – we know Gotham City is plagued by so much crime that we can imagine other events are keeping Bats busy! – but enough notable things occur throughout the show to make it distracting that the costumed crimefighter is continually not just unseen but also unmentioned. Just throw us a bone with a news report or two about what he’s up to, so he’s accounted for!"

Collider calls The Penguin "a series that is still finding its legs and could never surpass The Sopranos, though there are no better acts to attempt to follow." Discussing Film says it's "unbeatable when compared to other comic book adaptations on television" and Rolling Stone argues "it needs to tell a much more interesting version of one, with a more compelling protagonist, than what we get here."

Will you be checking out The Penguin when it launches on HBO on September 19?

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Spoken
Spoken - 9/12/2024, 12:57 PM
Wasn't there a news article that showed that Batman was missing? It was like a cartoon sketch showing the bat-signal in the sky and one of the officers say something that he hasn't been around in "weeks" or something.
JFerguson
JFerguson - 9/12/2024, 12:58 PM
Busy chasing catwoman tail in Bludhaven
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 9/12/2024, 1:06 PM
Definitely somewhat mixed out of this batch so far (but I’m seeing a lot more positive ones on social media & such)…

Anyway regardless , I’m looking forward to it since the show seems good to me…

Plus , I liked Farrell’s take on the character in The Batman aswell as Reeves vision for this iteration.

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Their being no appearance or even mention of the Batman is somewhat surprising (I atleast expected the latter) but it’s something I am just gonna have to get over I guess.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 9/12/2024, 1:13 PM
Yup. This show is gonna be sh!t. Just like the film was. A bland, copycat of things that has already preceded it.

"The Batman" was a "Batman Begins/The Dark Knight repeat but way more boring. Now, the Penguin (Ozz Cobb .... f'n ridiculous that's what they'll call him) is a Sopranos rip off.

I've always been a DC guy...die hard. But, Reeves needs to be shown the door. His Planet of the Apes films were bland and boring as was The Batman. I mean, look what he did to the Riddler. WTF was that? When your movie Riddler isn't near as good as the show's GOTHAM riddler, then you got problems. BIG ones.

It's time for Gunn to fire that hack and then make "The Brave and the Bold" more fantastical. With Villans like Clayface, Killer Croc, or even a truthful version to the comics as Bane.
Nolanite
Nolanite - 9/12/2024, 8:27 PM
@lazlodaytona - relax, don't damage that keyboard of yours. It's just a show that has nothing to do with you.
Shivermetimbers
Shivermetimbers - 9/13/2024, 11:09 AM
@lazlodaytona - Lots of people loved Reeve's take on The Batman and the Apes movies are pretty much universally praised. Sorry to tell you that you are probably in the minority in your opinion.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 9/13/2024, 1:46 PM
@Shivermetimbers - I understand I'm in the minority. It's fine. I just don't get it. But, am not ripping on anyone who is gonna like it.
To each their own.
emeraldtaurus
emeraldtaurus - 9/12/2024, 1:19 PM
Fair enough...R-Patz Batman's not in it....but. .with all the crime..wouldn't Batman be watching/intervening!?!
Nolanite
Nolanite - 9/12/2024, 8:27 PM
@emeraldtaurus - why don't the Avengers pop up in each others films when there's major trouble?
emeraldtaurus
emeraldtaurus - 9/13/2024, 6:19 AM
@Nolanite - Good call. I'm not a Marvelite by any means , and I loved CA:the Winter Soldier but...where were the Avengers when those big flying aircraft things were launched towards the end !?!
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 9/12/2024, 1:30 PM
Loved the movie, glad this take on Gotham is getting fleshed out.
HulkisHoly
HulkisHoly - 9/12/2024, 1:49 PM
@ModHaterSLADE -

Same
MisterBones
MisterBones - 9/12/2024, 1:37 PM
Never understood the need for the show other than giving Farrell 8 hours to act his ass off. Which is cool I guess. He’s great but I’ve questioned the need for this story too
McMurdo
McMurdo - 9/12/2024, 1:47 PM
No Batman makes no sense
Oberlin4Prez
Oberlin4Prez - 9/12/2024, 1:55 PM
Maybe critics should check the title, they’d have their answer.
JayLemle
JayLemle - 9/12/2024, 2:00 PM
WE DON'T NEED BATMAN IN EVERY SINGLE THING GOTHAM STORY-RELATED! [frick], let's enjoy this Penguin show as-is. Colin Farrell has done great work, but this role is my favorite.

If they made a Poison Ivy show, then maaaaaayyyyyyybe, a Batman appearance would help what would most likely be a boring-ass show.
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 9/12/2024, 2:04 PM
The reviews got me more hyped for this even though I was already excited for an extension of Reeves Bat-Verse.

Sounds like a winner.
TheJester187
TheJester187 - 9/12/2024, 2:26 PM
Not trippin on Batman not being in it. But besides that what other Villains are in being formed? That’s what I wanna know.
JayLemle
JayLemle - 9/12/2024, 3:25 PM
@TheJester187 - THIS!!! THIS RIGHT HERE! I'm a Marvel comics collector, with a TINY side of DC. I'm learning about legacy characters in the DC world in 2024. Let's explore some of these villains.
TheJester187
TheJester187 - 9/13/2024, 3:39 PM
@JayLemle - Batman has the best characters in the DC universe in my opinion. The lore is deep. I think we are gearing up for Mr. freeze, Clayface & Joker in Part 2
BlackStar25
BlackStar25 - 9/12/2024, 3:03 PM
Critics were asking for Batman?...No [frick]ing way. Legit critics would neva
WEAPONXOXOXO
WEAPONXOXOXO - 9/12/2024, 7:42 PM
He was out with yo momma!
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B0H1CA
B0H1CA - 9/13/2024, 12:47 PM
Where is Batman? Easy he had to “become something more” my guess he needed to become more of a “ninja”. He didnt have stealth like hiding/fighting in the first movie. He was just vengeance. My guess Batman 2 will start with him traveling the world training meeting raz perhaps. Just my theory though

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