“Breaking Bad” is one of the best television dramas of the last 30 years, and the fan base is there to prove it. So much that NetFlix decided to produce “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie” to satisfy the legions of viewers who missed the show and talk about it regularly to this day. That’s why I’m happy to say that El Camino is a worthy addition to the story.
We pick up right where the show ended with our favorite assistant meth cooker, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), running from the law after the events of the series finale. Along the way, we’ll meet some characters from the show and a few new ones as well as Pinkman tries to find some peace to the last tragic chapter of his life.
It’s the kind of Breaking Bad material we miss so much.
For the non initiated, this kind of drama is a slow boil that builds up the suspense and takes its time raising the stakes. The acting is superb and Vince Gilligan once again takes us back to this intriguing world he created in the middle of New Mexico. There is no rust here and aside from the aging, if you would have told me this show was produced immediately after the series was finished, I’d buy it. Its a return to what’s good about this mythology.
Negatives? Well, if you’re not a “Breaking Bad” fan, then I’m not sure what to tell you. Paul’s performance is terrific but I’m not sure it can hook you right off the bat if you’re not familiar with what he’s been through already.
Other than that though, it’s a pretty tight delivery.
I was actually late to the “Breaking Bad” party but I’m really glad I finally showed up. If you love the show, watch El Camino. If you haven’t watched the show, then take the whole journey from the beginning, watch the spin off “Better Call Saul”, and then wrap it up with “El Camino”. It’s a rare original experience and worthy of the critical and public acclaim it’s received all of these years.
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie
GRADE: A-
Rated: NetFlix NR
Running time: 2Hrs 2 minutes
