Jesse’s back, b***h

But did he really need to be?

Breaking Bad (NSFW) is the greatest show ever. Now that I’m not hearing those words all the time, I actually kind of miss them. Now, years later, we have a feature-length movie continuing the story. After deciding to cook meth with Walter White (Bryan Cranston), Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) has been through all kinds of trials and turbulence. And after a harrowing series finale, he finds himself on the run and with a boatload of PTSD. Unfortunately for him, his problems also don’t seem to be letting up anytime soon.

 Along the way, we have several flashbacks that reunite us with old characters. Todd (Jess Plemons), who like Jesse has inexplicably gained and lost a couple of pounds between the flashbacks and series finale, comes back. Creepy as ever, even if there is something a little darkly humorous about him continuously exchanging pleasantries with someone that he enslaved.  (spoiler) Cranston, the star of the show, of course, returns towards the end, of course, in a flashback that seems designed to remind us how much Jesse has changed throughout the series. I thought Skinny Pete kind of already did that at the beginning, but hey, it’s always nice to see Mr. White. Jane (Krysten Ritter) also returns for five seconds that somehow justifies being billed third, behind Paul and Plemons. Though I suppose she’s had the most successful post-Breaking Bad career besides the other two. (/spoiler) 

Jesse’s family, minus his brother who dropped off the face of the Earth following his first and only appearance on the show. Actually, they mention that he’s at camp and I know the actor has got to be ridiculously old by this point, but they always could have recast him. A scene of brotherly affection would have been nice if a little extraneous.

 Why did this movie even get made? Breaking Bad had the perfect final episode that wrapped everything up nicely and took the noble route of bowing out when the show was still on top. Not sticking around way past its expiration date like a lot of popular shows. We didn’t need to know what happened to Jesse. Usually, I’d say it was because someone had a mortgage. Except Paul seems like he should have that covered after moving onto Bojack Horseman. And creator Vince Gillian has the not as good, but still well-done spin-off Better Call Saul. Maybe someone was getting a little too sentimental. (NSFW)

Overall, this is s a fine movie. Unnecessary, but a fine movie regardless. It has several great moments in it, especially towards the end. While Paul continued to turn in an excellent performance, Robert Forster, who sadly died the day this movie premiered, is the highlight of the film. There are also a lot of cool shots in this. What I recommend doing is getting together with some friends to binge-watch all of Breaking Bad and then this.