The Penguin stands out as a compelling villain in his own right, especially when comparing the story of Joker: Folie à Deux, which failed to resonate with audiences despite its success from the previous film. In Batman, director Matt Reeves has crafted a narrative that allows Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb to return as a protagonist, showcasing a refreshing change in the villain-hero dynamic. Unlike Joker, which became the highest-grossing R-rated film of its time, it ultimately bombed at the box office, revealing a series of issues that shows what the second film lacked: depth and a connection to the audience.
The Dark Knight franchise has evolved with the ability to develop spinoffs and build a rich world that explores the complexities of its characters. From my experience watching these films, the multi-dimensionality of major DC villains like the Penguin creates a more engaging and layered storytelling experience, proving that sometimes the supporting characters can steal the spotlight and elevate the entire narrative.
In the DC series The Penguin, Colin Farrell’s portrayal of Oz Cobb stands out, offering a complex and nuanced character beyond comedic relief. Unlike Joker: Folie à Deux, which centers on Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck but lacks strong character development elsewhere, The Penguin excels in giving depth to its entire cast, including Sofia Falcone, Carmine Falcone, and Victor Aguilar. The emotional connections built through their backstories make the show deeply engaging, drawing viewers into the characters’ evolving journeys.
Table of Contents
The Penguin Is As Interested In The World As It Is In The Story
In the HBO series The Penguin, Gotham City feels like an integral character, bringing the iconic comic book location to life, much like The Batman. As Oz Cobb rises in the underworld, the series explores the city’s deep-rooted issues, particularly the aftermath of the Riddler’s flooding. In contrast, Joker: Folie à Deux fails to leverage Gotham effectively, focusing too much on isolated settings like Arkham and the courthouse. The Penguin excels in using Gotham’s complex relationship with its characters to enrich the story, keeping viewers deeply engaged.
The Penguin’s Oz Cobb Is A Real Villain Unlike Joker 2’s Arthur Fleck
In the world of villain narratives, The Penguin shines as a compelling character, primarily because Oz Cobb embodies a real villain, unlike Joker 2’s Arthur Fleck. The main reason for this distinction is that while Colin Farrell’s portrayal makes it clear that Oz is the protagonist, he is not a good guy. Instead, he navigates the treacherous waters of power, presenting motivations that engage the audience to root for him, even as he is prepared to kill and betray anyone necessary to achieve his goals.
In contrast, Joker: Folie à Deux portrays Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur as someone who struggles with his identity, ultimately revealing that he was never meant to be the villain; rather, he is merely a victim who lashed out due to profound hurt. The film attempts to show Arthur’s descent into madness, yet it falters by not allowing him to fully embrace the villain role, making it difficult for the audience to connect with him as a character.
Having engaged with both narratives, I appreciate how The Penguin develops a character that feels authentic and complex, while Arthur remains mired in confusion and pity. This differentiation not only highlights the strength of Oz Cobb as a villain but also emphasizes how character motivations can enrich storytelling in ways that elevate the narrative itself.
Joker: Folie À Deux Offers Few Thrills
In stark contrast to The Penguin, which showcases impactful action scenes and maintains an exhilarating pace, Joker: Folie à Deux appeared almost embarrassed to embrace its comic book roots. Reports confirm that director Todd Phillips was never really interested in that label, choosing instead to focus on a more psychological narrative. This shift resulted in the absence of thrilling moments that characterized the first film; Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck goes through the entire sequel without even killing anyone, a stark departure from the violence expected from such an iconic character.
While Joaquin Phoenix’s performance is undeniably powerful, it doesn’t translate into the thrills that audiences anticipate from a sequel, leaving viewers craving more excitement. The Joker, one of Batman’s most notorious villains, is defined by his violent actions, and to see him refrain from murder throughout the film highlights how Joker: Folie à Deux was never truly invested in telling a compelling story about the villain. Instead, it feels more like a missed opportunity, especially for fans who look forward to the thrilling elements of such narratives.
In my experience with storytelling, The Penguin doesn’t shy away from making its biggest characters as violent as they should be, and this enriches their arcs significantly. For instance, we see Oz burning two people alive and Sofia Falcone killing her entire family, showcasing the brutal nature of their actions while making them engaging. This balance between violence and character development is vital in crafting a compelling narrative, something that Joker: Folie à Deux clearly overlooked.
The Penguin Builds On What Came Before
In The Penguin, the narrative seamlessly bridges The Batman and its sequel, exploring the aftermath of Gotham’s flooding and Carmine Falcone’s death, while naturally evolving Oz Cobb’s character. In contrast, Joker: Folie à Deux undermines Arthur Fleck’s development from the 2019 film, presenting a version of the Joker that feels disconnected from his earlier arc. The Penguin succeeds by maintaining character consistency, while Joker falters, highlighting the importance of coherence in storytelling.
The Penguin’s Story Does Not Feel Superfluous
The Penguin serves as a perfect example of a spinoff that skillfully captures the best aspects of the original project, allowing it to continue a significant part of that world in a satisfying way. Following Carmine Falcone’s death at the end of Batman, the narrative needs someone to rise and become the boss of Gotham City’s underworld, which The Penguin adeptly accomplishes by telling a compelling story that continues Oz Cobb’s arc. This narrative presents many complex characters and relationships, enhancing the original film by association.
In stark contrast, Joker: Folie à Deux is the opposite; while the first film worked perfectly as a self-contained story, this sequel felt unnecessary, merely trying to repeat the original’s major box office success. By failing to excite, it ended up tearing down what the first film so brilliantly accomplished. As a longtime fan of these narratives, I find the seamless integration of The Penguin into the Batman universe not only refreshing but essential for deepening the lore. The character development and darker themes resonate strongly, making it a standout among recent adaptations.
The Penguin Makes DC Characters Better
The Penguin stands out by diving deep into the motivations of Oz Cobb and Sofia Falcone, offering a nuanced and compelling villain story. Unlike Joker: Folie à Deux, which struggles with Arthur Fleck’s inconsistent arc and underutilizes Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn, The Penguin crafts a more intricate and resonant narrative. As a long-time observer of the DC universe, I appreciate how the show enhances the character landscape, portraying the Penguin’s complexities in a way that captivates and enriches the story.
The contrast between The Penguin and Joker: Folie à Deux highlights why the former succeeds as a villain story. The Penguin delves into the complex motivations of Oz Cobb and Sofia Falcone, adding depth to the DC universe. In contrast, Joker: Folie à Deux struggles with Arthur Fleck’s inconsistent portrayal and underutilizes Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn. As someone well-versed in these narratives, I find that The Penguin captivates with its complexity, proving that a rich backstory can elevate a character to new heights in Gotham’s lore.
The Penguin Thrives Even Without A Hero To Fight
Batman Is Not Needed For The DC Series To Work
The Penguin shines as a captivating villain story, thriving without Batman’s presence. Oz’s rise through the criminal underworld is compelling on its own, with his interactions with Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight enhancing the narrative but not being essential. In contrast, Joker: Folie à Deux lacks the tension and excitement of a Batman confrontation, feeling dull without a strong hero to challenge the villain. As a DC fan, I find the psychological depth of the Penguin adds layers to the story, making it more engaging than the one-dimensional sequel to Joker.
The Penguin Knows What It Wants To BeJoker: Folie À Deux’s Genre Choice Made Little Sense
The Penguin clearly knows what it wants to be, thriving in the dark, gritty world of the DC series as a fine addition to director Matt Reeves’ Batman Epic Crime Saga. The HBO series embraces this tone with violent action and mature themes, delivering a story that feels visually and tonally in line with the expected rise to power in Gotham.
In stark contrast, Joker: Folie à Deux made the baffling choice of using a musical to narrate a Batman villain’s story, failing to prove itself exciting for those who wanted a classic portrayal of the character or those who enjoy musicals. The sequel, marred by Todd Phillips’ vision, lacked the gripping action and compelling characters necessary for a successful follow-up. Having explored these narratives, I find the clarity and purpose in the Penguin’s story refreshing, while Joker’s confusing direction left me wanting a stronger identity and focus in the storytelling.
The Penguin Lets Its Villain Bounce Back Joker 2 Never Does The Same For Arthur Fleck
In many superhero projects, the formula is clear: the hero battles their main villain, faces defeat, and ultimately finds a way to bounce back, saving the day. However, the Joker sequel with Arthur Fleck misses this crucial element, resulting in a narrative that fails to resonate. In contrast, The Penguin understands the importance of this assignment, showcasing Oz and Sofia as they prove their doubters wrong, highlighted by Oz’s act of killing someone who mocked him in the first episode.
While Arthur is kicked down both figuratively and literally by Arkham guards, the absence of transformative and cathartic moments in the sequel contrasts sharply with the compelling rise of the Joker in the first film. Drawing on my experience as a long-time fan of comic narratives, it’s evident that the ability to overcome difficulties is essential in creating iconic moments that truly elevate a villain’s story.