Key Takeaways
- The Penguin received rave reviews ahead of its HBO premiere, drawing comparisons to The Sopranos.
- Even though The Penguin has similarities to The Sopranos, it is encouraged to forge its own path.
- Colin Farrell takes on the role of The Penguin and welcomes compliments comparing his performance to Tony Soprano.
As a long-time fan of both comic books and mafia dramas, I must say that the arrival of “The Penguin” has been nothing short of exhilarating. Having grown up with the dark allure of Tony Soprano and his mob family, I was initially skeptical about yet another series delving into the world of organized crime. However, this new adaptation has managed to carve its own niche, offering a unique blend of the gritty realism that made “The Sopranos” iconic, with the dark, brooding atmosphere that is synonymous with the Batman universe.
In the run-up to its debut on HBO on September 20, The Penguin garnered widespread acclaim from critics. It has even been likened to the renowned mob series, The Sopranos, which marked its 25th anniversary recently. Despite sharing a common network and Mafia-centric themes, these shows should not be overly compared. Each show must establish its unique identity – that’s where The Penguin needs to make its mark.
Since “The Sopranos” concluded in 2007, HBO has enjoyed a series of triumphs; however, nothing has closely mirrored its original hit show, until the premiere of “The Penguin” on their cable network last week. Nevertheless, these similarities are primarily superficial, as the shows themselves are quite distinct from one another. While James Gandolfini’s iconic portrayal of Tony Soprano is difficult to match, Colin Farrell delivers a strong performance as Oz ‘The Penguin’ Cobb, even though it may not rival Gandolfini’s legendary act.
The Penguin Has Been Compared To The Sopranos And As Much As It’s A Compliment, The Shows Are Very DIfferent
| The Penguin | |
|---|---|
| Cast | Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Theo Rossi, David H. Holmes, Myles Humphus and Hunter Emery, Rhenzy Feliz, Deirdre O’Connell, Clancy Brown, Carmen Ejogo, Michael Zegen, Michael Kelly and Mark Strong |
| Created By | Lauren LeFranc |
| Directed By | Craig Zobel |
Episode Titles
- After Hours
- Inside Man
- Bliss
- Cent’Anni
- Homecoming
- Gold Summit
- Top Hat
- Great or Little Thing
While it’s flattering to be associated with a masterpiece like The Sopranos, the upcoming DC Mob-related spin-off for The Batman is not quite the same. Despite the gritty atmosphere of The Penguin, it remains rooted in the comic book world and lacks the unique depth and complexity that David Chase crafted with The Sopranos back in 1999. However, Colin Farrell’s transformative performance under heavy makeup and a fat suit does share an unsettling resemblance to Tony Soprano, portrayed by James Gandolfini.
Colin Farrell’s characterization of The Penguin bears resemblance to Tony Soprano, and on Tuesday, September 17, during the New York City premiere of The Penguin, Farrell shared with journalists:
Among the remarkable TV shows that come to mind for me are “The Sopranos”, “Breaking Bad”, and in the future, as I grow older, “The Wire”. These are the ones I’d like to delve into more deeply.
It’s apparent that Farrell didn’t deliberately emulate James Gandolfini’s persona while preparing for his role, as he openly confessed he hadn’t watched the show. However, he was flattered by the similarities drawn to “The Sopranos,” and he further explained this observation.
In essence, those comparisons evoke admiration in my mind. These shows were groundbreaking, transforming the landscape of television and paving the way for others. They are highly respected and cherished by countless viewers, making such comparisons quite flattering. Frankly, I can’t think of many comparisons that would be more favorable.
The Penguin Is Probably Better Off Ignoring The Comparisons With The Sopranos And Being Its Own Thing
| The Sopranos | |
|---|---|
| Cast | James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Steven Van Zandt, Michael Imperioli, Tony Sirico, Edie Falco, Robert Iler, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Dominic Chianese, Steve Schirripa, Drea de Matteo and Vincent Pastore |
| Written by | David Chase, Terence Winter, Mitchell Burgess, Robin Green and Matthew Weiner |
| Created By | David Chase |
The reviews for The Penguin are in, and they have been extremely positive, which bodes well for the future of Matt Reeves’ The Batman expanded universe. The series takes place just one week after the events of The Batman. Gotham is in a state of ruin after The Riddler’s brutal attack, but Oz Cobb sees it as an opportunity to take over the criminal underworld following the death of powerful Gotham crime family boss Carmine Falcone. The subject matter of The Penguin has led to obvious comparisons with The Sopranos. However, it would be wise for the creative team behind the new DC show to ignore these compliments and become its own entity. ‘Our thing’, as the Mafia refers to their criminal enterprise, doesn’t have to extend to the mob portrayals on television screens.
The Penguin Key Facts
- Mark Strong plays the deceased Gotham crime boss, Carmine Falcone, in flashback sequences in The Penguin, taking over from John Turturro, who played him in The Batman.
- The Penguin debuted on HBO and HBO Max on September 20.
What Have The Critics Said About The Penguin?
The Evening Standard’s review of The Penguin said:
This intricately plotted series is so full of unexpected twists and turns that discussing it in depth might ruin the surprise for potential readers. However, I can assure you it’s an exceptional five-star series that mafia movie enthusiasts will absolutely love. It bears a striking resemblance to the Italian-American underworld portrayed in gangster films, with Farrell skillfully occupying the middle ground between Tony Soprano’s and Robert De Niro’s Vito Corleone’s characters, finding the perfect balance of goodness and wickedness.
In their review, The New York Times advocated that The Penguin should not be compared to Mob-related classics like The Sopranos, instead focusing on its unique qualities.
The Penguin positions itself for grand comparisons, drawing on a wide range of criminal narratives, including The Godfather, Scarface, and The Sopranos.
Watch The Penguin on HBO and HBO Max Now
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2024-09-28 17:04