El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie provided longtime fans of the franchise with plenty of closure when it came to the story of Jesse Pinkman. The film was still bittersweet, as it could make the last time we see the beloved character, unless he manages to make that long-awaited appearance on Better Call Saul. Still, fans will be able to preserve their last outing with Pinkman through the film’s release on DVD and Blu-ray. Those who pick up the film will also be treated to never-before-seen extras, including a stroll down memory lane with Aaron Paul and Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan.
Aaron Paul and Vince Gilligan are two of the biggest reasons that Jesse Pinkman has become one of the most iconic characters in television history. So it’s only appropriate that the two took some time to reflect on how Breaking Bad molded him into the hardened character we see in AMC and Netflix’s film. And we just happen to have an exclusive clip in which they give some of their thoughts on Jesse’s evolution. Check it out down below:
If there’s one thing Vince Gilligan has proved with Breaking Bad (and Better Call Saul) it's that he knows how to develop his characters, and this was definitely the case for Jesse. As Gilligan stated in the clip, Jesse began as a young slacker with no true direction but, by the series’ end, he grew up immensely. This was in part due to the influence of his chemistry teacher-turned-drug partner Walter White, for better and for worse.
Of course, Gilligan is just as good as putting characters through harrowing situations, and Jesse is among one of the Breaking Bad characters to suffer the most during the show’s run. Aaron Paul pointed out some of the most tragic moments in Jesse’s story, which are actually some of the show’s most powerful. I’m sure plenty of us still remember how rough it was to see both Jane and Andrea’s deaths. And I don’t know about you all, but it still hurts me to see Jesse held in captivity by Jack’s gang.
This pain and suffering, however, helped to create what is easily one of the best character arcs in all of television. Gilligan and his writers more than succeeded in mining the humanity from Jesse, and Paul’s affecting performance only improved as the seasons progressed. It’s sometimes hard to believe the actor went from nearly being a one-season character to become a three-time Emmy winner. But I, for one, am glad that things panned out the way they did and that both Paul and Gilligan can talk about it now.
Their discussion on Jesse’s story is only one of several excellent features that are included on the DVD and Blu-ray releases of El Camino. Both include Making El Camino, a behind-the-scenes documentary that includes never-before-seen interviews with the cast and crew. There’s also a Super Commentary, an audio commentary which features 46 members of the cast and crew. The releases also contain Snow Globe: A Breaking Bad Short, the Skinny Pete in the Box and On the Radio teasers, the Rocker Salvage Vamonos Pest commercials, the music video for ChloexHalle’s “Enchanted” and visual effects design galleries.
The Blu-ray edition of the film contains even more Breaking Bad goodness, including an audio commentary solely featuring Vince Gilligan and Aaron Paul, deleted and extended scenes, a gag reel and Scene Studios with Vince Gilligan.
The story of Jesse Pinkman may be over, but it’s a ride that none of us likely regret taking and are sure to remember it for years to come.
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie is now available to own on DVD or Blu-ray, or you can own both with the special edition steelbook. And be sure to keep it here at CinemaBlend for more news from the world of TV and movies.
