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Advance Review: Gotham

GothamGotham is an origin story of the DC Comics villains and those that fight to keep Gotham City safe from them. It's a new take on the classics and takes place while characters such as Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) are still teenagers.

The series follows new detective James Gordon (Ben McKenzie) as he partners with legend Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue), who is less than happy to have him there.

Their first big case is trying to solve the murder of billionaires Thomas and Martha Wayne, the future superhero's parents. They will face the mob as well as characters that fans will recognize as they try to uncover the truth.

GothamGotham is something that fans and newcomers alike will enjoy. Having very little knowledge of the DC world (other than a handful of Batman movies), I was still able to follow along and enjoy the story of the pilot. It's obvious that there are references that those who know the mythology will get, but it doesn't leave everyone else in the dark.

I was pleasantly surprised that Gotham did not feel like other series of similar genre to me; this is not a superhero series or just another comic book adaptation, not really. It's of a different timeframe than the comics and other adaptations and is about the circumstances that will create the future in the stories people know.

There were quite a few recognizable villains (or future villains) introduced in the pilot, including The Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor), Catwoman (Camren Bicondova), Riddler (Cory Michael Smith), and more.

GothamI enjoyed that the script was focused on the detectives as they tried to solve the murder. Both McKenzie and Logue were excellent and make a great team, even if they don't see eye to eye. Logue as Bullock is abrasive and dour, and it makes for some interesting more comedic moments.

McKenzie is also great to watch with Mazouz as their trust and friendship starts to develop.

Other standouts include Jada Pinkett Smith as gang boss Fish Mooney, who is quite ruthless, as well as Taylor, who already has me excited to delve more into the weasely villain's backstory.

Gotham City was also a character in and of itself, and the creative time made it work. The series and look on a whole feels slightly stylized, though not so much it takes away from the story.

You can watch the premiere of Gotham on Monday night on FOX.

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