I switched on Netflix tonight for the first time in a while and was genuinely excited to see El Camino. Do we need a Breaking Bad film? No probably not, the TV show was that rare thing, a long running drama, that not only didn’t lose its way, but went from strength to strength. This right from the outset feels every bit an extension of the show, with Jesse picking up his timeline near seamlessly. So much so that if you don’t remember how Breaking Bad ended, a recap would be a good idea before watching El Camino. This all alludes to it not working that well as a film. It doesn’t feel at all cinematic. It’s essentially an extended after-thought episode. Now that’s not to say it’s bad. There’s lots of the charm of the original series, lots of familiar faces, lots of dust, time-lapses and unhinged lives. It’s a nice addition alongside the amazing Better Call Saul, but where Saul/Jimmy’s story is playfully fleshed out, Jesse’s story here feels a little one dimensional and although it’s fun to revisit, it all feels unnecessary. Worth watching though for Jesse Plemons and the sadly recently deceased Robert Forster alone.
6/10
