Let’s be honest: Breaking Bad stands as one of the greatest television series ever created. Period. However, as I approached El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, which just premiered on Netflix, I made an effort to temper my expectations. After all, most of the standout characters met their demise during the series—DEA agent Hank Schrader, the fatherly hitman Mike Ehrmantraut, the brilliant yet unstable Gus Fring, and even our protagonist, the legendary meth manufacturer Walter White.
And yes, I’m sorry to bring this up, but Walter is indeed dead. If you weren’t aware, I apologize. We all held onto a sliver of hope before El Camino dropped, hoping against hope that Walter had somehow survived cancer and a barrage of bullets. Sadly, creator Vince Gilligan dashed those hopes in an interview right before the film’s release, confirming Walter’s fate.
With that in mind, how much can one truly invest in a two-hour film that primarily focuses on Jesse Pinkman and his meth-dealing friends, Skinny Pete and Badger? After watching it, I can confidently say that El Camino excels at providing closure for Jesse Pinkman, which is a significant aspect. Like many fans, I was eager to learn what happened to Jesse after his escape from that neo-Nazi compound in the series finale.
The film picks up precisely where the show concluded, which is incredibly satisfying. Just because many beloved characters are gone doesn’t mean they don’t appear in flashbacks. I will note, though, that El Camino doesn’t quite match the fast pace of Breaking Bad. What it lacks in urgency, it compensates for with the darkly quirky scenarios that only a master storyteller like Vince Gilligan could craft.
Characters who seemed almost forgettable during the series come to life in unexpected ways, revealing that not everyone is as they initially appeared. Aaron Paul slips back into Jesse Pinkman’s familiar attire with ease, making it feel as if he never left. While we don’t get to spend time with every iconic character, there’s enough to leave one feeling fulfilled.
Understandably, if you choose not to take my word for it, I get it. Anything that generates this level of anticipation is bound to elicit mixed reactions. Overall, however, the reviews have been largely positive. Television critic Max Carter from Rolling Stone remarked that Gilligan is “operating at the height of his creative powers” with El Camino. In contrast, Sarah Jennings from Slate argued that while the film wraps up loose ends, it fails to address the critical question: “Who are we rooting for?”
In conclusion, while El Camino may not reach the groundbreaking heights of Breaking Bad, how could it? Such brilliance is a rarity. Nonetheless, it is undeniably satisfying. If you enjoyed Breaking Bad or its spin-off Better Call Saul, you will likely appreciate El Camino. I promise you that.
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Summary
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie provides a satisfying continuation for fans, focusing on Jesse Pinkman’s journey and offering closure despite the absence of many beloved characters. While it may not match the groundbreaking nature of Breaking Bad, it remains a worthwhile watch for enthusiasts of the series.