Better Call Saul - Season 01

Comparisons with the titanic “Breaking Bad: are inevitable, since this show shares not only creator Vince Gilligan but is a spin off of some key characters – here in an origin story taking palace before “Breaking Bad”. But this new show – great in it’s own way – really is quite a different animal. “Breaking Bad” felt big, powerful, operatic. A Beethoven symphony of a show. While it had humor, the blasts of dark drama and tension dominated. “Better Call Saul” feels like more of a chamber piece, a string quartet, or a great trio. Quieter, more intimate, leaning more towards the comic, its themes about America and success are mostly fed with a wink, and not a punch to the stomach. The pace is slower too. This is a character study, and it’s content to allow us to just watch some very interesting people working through their strange funny/sad lives without pushing the plot along all that much. It’s an outstanding show, but on its own terms, in its own way. The acting is terrific. Bob Odenkirk creates a truly likable semi-sad sack with truly questionable morals and decision making ability, but a big heart. Jonathan Banks continues as one of the best television characters ever, his aging ex-cop a brilliant, cold, coiled snake, who always lets out just enough humanity to know that while this guy could kill you in a heartbeat if he had to, deep down he’s a good guy, a loving grandfather, a moral man. Michael McKean does a great job as Odenkirk’s deeply disturbed brother. He will always be a smarter, better lawyer than Jimmy, he will always hold a grudge, and he is Odenkirk’s exact opposite. The guy who – on paper – we should feel bad for, but who is just icy and venal enough to keep us at an intrigued distance. If the character has a weak spot it’s that he can get a bit repetitive, but that’s more a function of how the man is limited by his paranoid psychosis, not a limitation of acting or writing. As with “Breaking Bad” the writing is specific, idiosyncratic, full of terrific dialogue that sounds naturalistic, but has just the right touch of poetry blended in. And as with it’s predecessor, the direction and cinematography is always at a high level, very cinematic, unafraid of staying in wide shots, or playing scenes in long takes instead of the rapid cutting that still dominates most TV – even very good TV. There are occasional lapses – I saw the twist ending of season 2 coming a mile off. But – if not as driven and instantly unforgettable as it’s parent show - this is intelligent, subtle and special television, not quite like anything else before or since.

Well, what DIDN’T I like?!??!! There’s SO MUCH to absorb in such a short period of time, that one is ALMOST confused! If you haven’t seen this gem, fasten in & get ready for a completely unique trip! 😈 Don’t let me scare you off but, for me it’s quite a ride from the get-go! All aspects being considered, this Series being what it translates to is nothing short of a thought out means of changing your way of thinking about just ANYTHING you can imagine! One’s life by comparison and attempting to alter your way of thinking how, why, what, & where lives like these are SO beyond “the norm” that there’s some adjusting to confront one!! I HIGHLY recommend this series esp from the beginning. Because if you’re planning on getting involved in “Breaking Bad” it would behoove you to watch this wonderfully, intelligent, humorous, fascinating presentation of such creativity I would hope you would be as enthralled as I have been! Give it a go, if you dare; be entertained by such imaginative way of thinking about the possibilities of this (sometimes clever & close) as such a possible existence of these individuals. It freaks me out sometimes when I hear, think of, imagine the reality of some people being in this situation. I’m overwhelmed by the continuity between the B.C. Saul series to the Breaking Bad adventure, not one that I’ve ever encountered! So, I thank the beings who brought all of this together. 🤧😘 I’m LOVING this review S#%T!!! Opining is such a release for me, not so much as an ego stroke but, as having an outlet to do so, is exciting and fulfilling for me! Anyone else concur? Gotta boogie! 🤙🏼&✌🏼Coz…..

Being a fan of Breaking Bad since it first aired I was extremely excited to hear about the Spin Off Better Call Saul. Bob Odenkirk completely owns the character and is a huge part of its success. The show is filled with richly developed characters including Jonathan Banks reprising his role as Mike Ehrmantraut "the man who takes no half measures" and we are introduced to several other key characters in Jimmy's life before Saul's adventure begins. This series does not disappoint and has every chance at becoming just as memorable as Breaking Bad. I find myself chomping at the bit to watch the next installment every week. Like Breaking Bad, I had to own the series for two reasons, it's television at its finest and I want to be able to binge watch wherever I want to. Both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul play much better when multiple episodes are watched in one sitting. The series takes place a several years before Breaking Bad, giving a back story to many characters including Jimmy (Saul) and Mike. It's funny, intelligent writing and is far above average television. It deserves to be recognized as a theater based movie quality production. The first season Blu Ray does not disappoint including some interesting extras along with a top quality presentation. It was a bit pricey for 10 episodes, but I waited for it to go on sale for $19.99. It's worth that price for such a great quality series that has excellent replay value. If you love this series, this is an excellent set if you can find it at a good price.

El español del presente Blu-ray (B00TSK0N5A) es español/castellano; audio también en otros idiomas y subtítulos para aburrir. Las 5 estrellas, aunque solo he visto el primer capítulo, son un voto de confianza y una declaración de buenas intenciones por ambas partes.

Die Erwartungen auf die erste Staffel "Better Call Saul" konnten nicht größer sein und eigentlich konnten die Producer nur an dem großen Vorgänger scheitern. Aber sie haben doch irgendwie alle überrascht: Better Call Saul ist nicht schlechter, nicht besser als "Breaking Bad", sondern anders :) Und das ist gut so, weil eine billige Kopie von Breaking Bad hätte wohl jeden entäuscht. Natürlich erkennt man bei Bild und Ton die Arbeit von Vince Gilligan und Mark Johnson. Dieser Stil ist einfach unverkennbar. Aber wer bei Better Call Saul eine Comedy-Serie befürchtet hat, den kann ich nur beruhigen. Better Call Saul ist genauso dramatisch wie Breaking Bad, auch wenn die Figur des Saul Goodman / Jimmy McGill längst nicht so tragisch daherkommt und nochmal deutlich symathischer als Walther White ist. Und für lustige Momente sorgt die Serie ebenfalls. Hinzu kommt aber eine nie für möglich gehaltende Tiefe des Charakters, die in Breaking Bad einfach nie zum Vorschein kam. Kein Vorwurf, lag der Fokus von Breaking Bad doch woanders und das Image des Saul Goodman würde es auch gar nicht zulassen, in irgendeiner Weise eine Tiefe im Charakter zu haben, immerhin handelt es sich um eine Werbefigur, die einfach glatt geschliffen und unangreifbar sein muss. Ich habe die gesamte Staffel genossen. Mir war nie langweilig, Höhepunkt der Serie ist aber sicherlich die Folge, die die Vergangenheit von Michael „Mike“ Ehrmantraut beleuchtet. Ich warte schon sehnsüchtig auf die nächste Staffel. Zur Qualität der Bluray: Die Video-Qualität ist ausgesprochen großartig und scharf. Im Gegensatz zu den ersten Staffel von Breaking Bad, die noch von einem starken Grain-Effekt betroffen waren, ist das Bild bei Better Call Saul gestochen scharf, was einfach daran liegt, dass die Kamera-Technik heute für HD gemacht ist. Beim Ton kann man ebenfalls nicht meckern. Ich kann nur eine absolute Kaufempfehlung aussprechen.

Spin-off di Breakin Bad, questo Better Call Saul è fatto talmente bene da eliminare del tutto il rischio di nostalgia della serie madre. La storia è quella dell'iper-spregiudicato Saul Goodman, l'avvocato che in Breakin Bad era abilissimo nel trovare tutti i risvolti sul filo della legalità per difendere criminali spesso strampalati, straordinario nell'intentare cause di risarcimento assurde e bizzarre. Un personaggio talmente singolare, divertente, indovinato e forte da meritarsi una serie autonoma. Ecco quindi un telefilm che narra la sua genesi, descrivendo la parabola che da McGill, suo nome di originale, lo porta ad assumere l'identità di Goodman e, da avvocato di ufficio squattrinato ma onesto a diventare un legale totalmente compromesso (sempre "a suo modo") con la criminalità. Il tutto è narrato con una sublime maestria di sceneggiatura e regia, abilissime nel calibrare tutti gli ingredienti e nel mantenere un equilibrio delicatissimo tra umorismo (spesso nero) e tensione delle situazioni sempre in bilico su un precipizio. Insomma una serie straordinaria, impreziosita dalla immensa recitazione di Bob Odenkirk, un attore che si merita la parabola di Cranston e Paul, i due protagonisti di Breakin Bad ora tra gli interpreti più attivi ad Hollywood. Un gioiello da vedere assolutamente appena uscirà l'edizione italiana, spero vivamente in Blu Ray, vista l'ottima qualità di questa edizione tedesca con audio e sottotitoli in inglese tedesco spagnolo.

Jolie Steelbook de Better Call Saul, oui Jimmy parle beaucoup mais c'est drôle et truculent,drôle,cocasse bien interprété par Bob. a vite rejoint le panthéon des séries culte The Walking Dead,Les Sopranos etc... découvert sur Netlix Cordialement

As a Breaking Bad fan watching this was a must Thoroughly enjoyed the series from start to finish Will try in this review not to spoil the show for those who haven't seen it yet Saul has 'disappeared' from ABQ and we get a brief glimpse of his new life in Omaha , Nebraska . Most of the episodes however are set when Jimmy McGill ( Saul's real name ) is trying - not too successfully - to establish his career as a lawyer although there are further flashbacks to before that time when he is basically a grifter making a bit of 'beer money' with various scams His brother, Chuck ( played by Michael McKean ) is a partner in a big law firm but is struggling to cope with a debilitating illness ( one which I had never seen portrayed on screen before ) Mike Ehrmantraut ( Johnathan Banks ) has left the Philidelphia Police Department and is working at the court as a car park attendant His reasons for leaving Philidelphia and moving to ABQ are thoroughly and movingly explained During the entertaining storylines of the first series Jimmy has a few dishonest tricks up his sleeve but IS trying to stay on the straight and narrow - however by its conclusion he has had a change of heart and you can tell that in the second series 'Saul' is going to take over Great new characters to get invested in ( loved the Kettlemans !!! ) and a few old Breaking Bad faces make brief but dramatic appearances early on . Bob Odenkirk must have worked his butt off as the main character in the show and although the whole cast are great he and Mr Banks deserve a special mention Great drama with a good sprinkling of dark humour to remind you that you are watching a Vince Gilligan ( and Peter Gould) production Like Breaking Bad - I found that the episodes whizzed by . That's always a good sign !! The extra's include a gag reel, short documentary about making of S1 and every episode can be watched with a commentary from cast members and a selection of those working behind the scenes - plenty of interesting titbits are revealed