Breaking Bad Review: A Teacher's Descent Into Crime
10/10 — Breaking Bad (2008)
Pros
- Cranston and Paul are superb
- Tightly plotted across five seasons
- Stunning direction and cinematography
Cons
- Slow first season
Walter White, a mild-mannered high-school chemistry teacher diagnosed with lung cancer, starts cooking methamphetamine with former student Jesse Pinkman to provide for his family. Over five seasons, Vince Gilligan turns Walter into one of TV’s great antiheroes.
What works
Bryan Cranston’s transformation from timid teacher to ruthless Heisenberg is astounding, and Aaron Paul gives Jesse real heart. The plotting is tight, with every season ending on a climax, and the direction, from the colour palette to the cold opens, is stylish. ‘Ozymandias’ is among the best episodes of television ever made.
Where it falters
The first season is slower and less assured, and some of the female characters, particularly Skyler, have received unfair fan hostility the writing doesn’t always avoid.
Verdict
Gripping, intelligent and perfectly paced, a landmark drama and an easy ten.
