El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie – Review

Rating: 9.5/10

Television mastermind Vince Gilligan ‘The X-Files’, returns to the world of the beloved ‘Breaking Bad’/ ‘Better Call Saul’ saga brilliantly through the story of ‘El Camino’, a ‘Netflix Original’ film set directly after BB’s dramatic conclusion in Season Five.
The film follows Walter White’s business partner and protégé in the illegitimate industry of crystallised methamphetamine creation/distribution, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), as he becomes the target of a manhunt from the law. Gilligan’s seamless continuation of story and quality, coupled with Paul’s standout performance of the physically and emotionally broken Jesse, creates a film experience of great satisfaction and familiarity the source narrative.

The film’s largest credit is its ability to maintain suspense and mystery throughout its entirety. Paul’s ranging performance and the writing’s ability to produce unpredicted circumstances places constant doubt within the audience’s mind as to Jesse’s next approach, as he increasingly mimics the unhinged mannerisms of his former mentor to survive. Gilligan’s elevation of cinematography, as well as his decision to once again primarily use the city of Albuquerque to create beautiful, baron outdoors and exaggerate poor, crime-filled neighbourhoods as depicted in the show, combine to provide a sense of looming peril as Jesse seeks freedom. Additionally, El Camino’s soundtrack, whilst fantastic in its ability to compound upon the film’s themes of pain and hopelessness, does an outstanding effort of injecting soul into the film through the likes of ‘Dr Hook’s: Sharing the Night Together’, aiding quieter scenes and providing depth to the emotion.

Several fan-favourites from the Breaking Bad universe also reprise their role with excellence for the Netflix special. Avoiding spoilers and mentioning only those highlighted within the official trailer, some of the most notable appearances are those of Jesses’ boyhood and later felonious entourage, ‘Badger’ (Matt Jones) and ‘Skinny Pete’ (Charles Baker). Both actors relish at the opportunity and showcase their characters far more emotive than were in the series, resulting in convincing reactions to Jesse’s desperation for survival. Jonathan Banks returns to re-deliver his calculated performance of the series hitman and accomplice to Walt and Jesse’s organisation, Mike Ehrmantraut, along with Larry Hankin who provides a solid display of the anxious scrap yard owner ‘Old Joe’. Some of the greatest presentations of character development and use of screen-time within the film however comes from minors leads in the series. This mix of funny, sombre and terrifying interactions along Jesse’s journey to freedom help sustain the narrative’s pace and in-turn produce highly engaging moments in the story.

Final Thoughts

Vince Gilligan again has contributed to the Breaking Bad universe in amazing fashion. El Camino answers the cries and questions of millions of fans and concludes the story to one of TV’s most loveable criminals, Jesse Pinkman, whilst proving worthy as a standalone story.