It’s been seven years since the tale of the rise and fall of meth kingpin, Walter White had concluded.
“Breaking Bad,” arguably the best television show that has ever been made, left us with a satisfying ending.
The last episode tied together all possible loose ends and left the other main character, Jessie Pinkman, free to pursue a new life. The strength of the ending left Pinkman’s future uncertain. He was unchained from his prison, literally and figuratively, and was left with nothing but a chance and hope. Whether he got there was left for fans to wonder.
Maybe fans would have liked more episodes of “Breaking Bad”, but what was left to tell after the death of Heisenberg? Is more “Breaking Bad” just an attempt by creator Vince Gilligan to cash in one more time on the popular series?
After all, the popular spin-off “Better Call Saul”, has yet to conclude. “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie” seems a bit odd to release at this time. Nevertheless, “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie” was released, provoking nostalgia.
The movie starts right after the events of “Breaking Bad.” Pinkman is in the Chevrolet El Camino he drove to his freedom with and is listening to the news. He is still a wanted man and just because he escaped captivity from a cellar, that doesn’t erase the sins of his past.
That is evident not only in his felon status but in his mental status as well. Being locked up like a prisoner for several months and being tortured has given Pinkman post-traumatic stress disorder — another part of his past he has to overcome if he wants his freedom.
Pinkman is looking to start a new life and that is what the film depicts. Pinkman’s road to starting fresh will take him through tying up some loose ends of his own.
It’s a thrilling and well-written tale all the way through, with some touching moments and a phenomenal performance from Pinkman’s actor, Aaron Paul.
Jessie was always portrayed as a happy-go-lucky drug dealer with a heart of gold. To see that wash away and turn into a desperate man who has nothing to lose, was a shocking shift.
This movie serves as a farewell to Jessie Pinkman but one that was not needed. This is the classic case of too much of a good thing.
This movie is not bad by any means but it’s hard justifying its existence. “Breaking Bad” had a satisfying end and we didn’t need anything more from the series.
Imagine if “Shawshank Redemption” had a movie about Andy Dufresne’s journey to Mexico? Sure, you could have it but it’s not necessary at all. Sometimes less is more, especially in cases of perfection like that film and “Breaking Bad.”
This isn’t a cash grab by Vince Gilligan. He genuinely seems to love telling stories in this universe’s New Mexico and curiosity was high for a movie sequel.
It felt like being reunited with an old friend but there’s a reason you stopped seeing each other. That part of your life is done. You could have gone your whole life without being reunited and it wouldn’t have made a difference.
Ricardo Tovar can be reached at [email protected].
