The Penguin (The Batman) limited series | HBO Max

[Johnny Utah]

Not disagreeing with any of your sentiments, but I can’t help myself, a minor correction, she started with Spielberg not Lucas.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Spoiler

 

[EVILFACE]

Dat crowbar.

 

[ZE_501]

I wonder what Batman has been up to for 6 episodes? Thing about this show --- it still really feels like Gotham to me.

 

[a-dev]

I wonder what Batman has been up to for 6 episodes?

He's at home! Washing his ''tactical'' tights!

 

[Wor-Gar]

I wonder what Batman has been up to for 6 episodes?

Who cares. He's so overplayed.

 

[choombaz]

At the start of every episode I think “I wonder what Bats is up to” and by the end of every episode I think “Bats who?”

 

[ZE_501]

Who cares. He's so overplayed.

You're not wrong. With this iteration of the Batman universe, the one thing that seems to be hitting perfectly is Gotham. Atmospherically and physically, the depiction of this place; Arkham, Blackgate, the streets ... it seems to seep into the characters. Like they've manifested as a true reflection of the environment.

It was the atmosphere that made me fall in love with the film; Batman was almost secondary to it and I think this is one of the reasons (plus the strong performances and writing of course) why Penguin works so well even without Batman.

 

[Wor-Gar]

I hope Batman can keep his distance.

They've managed to make a realistic Joker (Heath), a realistic Riddler (Dano) and a realistic Penguin (Colin)... but Batman still seems unrealistic to me.

They should strip Batman of his "Bat" disguise as much as they stripped Penguin of his moniker, and see what happens... I mean, having Joker in just simple make-up worked well for Ledger too. First thing would be to lose the clumsy cape.

 

[jye4ever]

I hope Batman can keep his distance.

They've managed to make a realistic Joker (Heath), a realistic Riddler (Dano) and a realistic Penguin (Colin)... but Batman still seems unrealistic to me.

They should strip Batman of his "Bat" disguise as much as they stripped Penguin of his moniker, and see what happens... I mean, having Joker in just simple make-up worked well for Ledger too. First thing would be to lose the clumsy cape.

So The Punisher with a bat on his chest instead of a skull lol

 

[Wor-Gar]

So The Punisher with a bat on his chest instead of a skull lol

I'm sure people scoffed at having a Joker in white-face instead of being "transformed' by chemicals into the famous trickster.

Now... Ledger set the bar.

Batman, in tactical 'ninja' gear -- not unlike what Nolan was going for -- but just lose the cape, make him more like Batman Beyond... yeah, like anything, if done right with the right actor, you could get people to come around. I think you'd be surprised how fast people would drop the cape.

I'd be willing to have some material that is released and hardens when he jumps off a building so he can glide to another rooftop. That would give him that "bat in the sky" moment. And that's all you need. Walking into a crime scene surround by cops while wearing a dramatic cape is just lame.

 

[choombaz]

It’s hard to believe this is the same guy that played Bullseye over 20 years ago

 

[a-dev]

It’s hard to believe this is the same guy that played Bullseye over 20 years ago

He was arguably the standout performance in that film. Memorable enough in Minority Report too. Back when he was very much the new and in demand guy.

 

[ZE_501]

I'm sure people scoffed at having a Joker in white-face instead of being "transformed' by chemicals into the famous trickster.

Now... Ledger set the bar.

Batman, in tactical 'ninja' gear -- not unlike what Nolan was going for -- but just lose the cape, make him more like Batman Beyond... yeah, like anything, if done right with the right actor, you could get people to come around. I think you'd be surprised how fast people would drop the cape.

I'd be willing to have some material that is released and hardens when he jumps off a building so he can glide to another rooftop. That would give him that "bat in the sky" moment. And that's all you need. Walking into a crime scene surround by cops while wearing a dramatic cape is just lame.

A bold move but worth a try, if he has some kind of wingsuit for gliding or jumping. I have two issues though: I think Batman works best in a magical realism setting (much as I love realistic Penguin) ... and Batman without a cape just looks like Daredevil to me. Still, I'd watch such a take on him.

 

[Wor-Gar]

I love Sofia.

I want a doll. Joan Jett haircut and platform shoes.

 

[Mandible]

Weakest episode for me. Worried they're not going to nail the landing now

Last two haven't been bad, but they felt like filler compared to the heights of some previous eps.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Have to agree. They don't have the same punch and surprise... just hoping it is building to a rousing conclusion.

 

[karamazov80]

I thought it was great. That opening scene was one of the most disturbing and impactful things I've seen in television in a long time. The scene with the van was also really great. And though it was a bit over the top, I felt the the showdown between Penguin and Maroni was very satisfying. Though it's hard to root for the penguin exactly, particularly now.

 

[Wor-Gar]

I felt the the showdown between Penguin and Maroni was very satisfying. Though it's hard to root for the penguin exactly, particularly now.

I think this might have been what disappointed me the most. I wanted Maroni to end better. Maybe its realistic, but this is The Penguin. I also never quite bought Maroni's ability to "rein it in" after confronting the man who set his wife and son on fire. A few hits with a golf club didn't seem strong enough.

 

[intothevoid]

https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2024/11/7/barry-keoghans-the-joker-being-turned-into-max-series

So apparently the plan is for there to be a Joker TV series which builds up to The Batman III, setting him up as the main villain for the third act of the trilogy.

If true, could be interesting - but would be much more difficult to pull off without Batman showing up throughout

I’m really curious who the big bad is going to be in The Batman II