The fourth season of ‘Gotham’ hits the airwaves Thursday, and it’s the perfect jumping on point for any comic book geek and or fan of Batman.
If you are remotely familiar with Batman, you know all the character, and they’ve developed enough over the past three years that it feels like a comic. Cinematically, the season premiere is a cross between Tim Burton’s ‘Batman’ and the 60s television show; both are entertaining for entirely different reasons. You can see the Burton influence on the sets and score used in ‘Gotham,’ and the camp of the Penguin and his goons pay homage to Adam West and company. Anthony Carrigan as Victor Zsasz could be one of the most entertaining comic book villains on TV right now. Carrigan deserves more screen time.
After reading Tom King’s ‘The War of Jokes and Riddles,’ Gotham’s ‘A Dark Knight: Pax Penguina’ feels perfect in the Fox TV Universe:
Gordon fears Jonathan Crane is still alive and back in Gotham, when The Scarecrow’s signature MO is used in a series of robberies. Meanwhile, Penguin’s “licensing” of crime in the city backfires during the grand opening of his new Iceberg Lounge. Also, in the aftermath of his encounter with Ra’s Al Ghul, Bruce begins his vigilante watch.
Ben McKenzie can now handle the weight of James Gordon and demands attention. Donal Logue has always been perfectly cast to portray the scumbag cop, Harvey Bullock. Sean Pertwee has grown into a quality Alfred Pennyworth and gives the character new depth that has not been seen on camera before. David Mazouz, Robin Lord Taylor, and Camren Bicondova still need to grow as actors – but you can see significant improvements from season one.
Mazouz in a makeshift Batman costume looks awkward, but the fight scenes were choreographed surprisingly good. Hopefully, FOX understands less is more with Batman. Use the shadows and be more like ‘Jaws’ than ‘Arrow.’
Director Danny Cannon does an admiral job containing the chaos of an over-the-top show and reigns in the possibility of too much camp.
When ‘Gotham’ was first announced, comic book nerds thought they were going to get Greg Rucka’s Gotham Central. Instead, they got Fish Mooney. Three years removed from that hot mess ‘Gotham’ has found its voice. The show is now fun, exciting, and a new chapter in the Batman mythos worthy of your time.
Check out ‘A Dark Knight: Pax Penguina’ on Thursday and let me know what you think. Comment below.
