Breaking Bad: The Complete Series (with El Camino) (Australian Import) (Blu-ray Review)

Reviewed by: Bill Hunt
Review Date: Sep 28, 2021
Format: Blu-ray Disc

Director

Various, created by Vince Gilligan

Release Date(s)

2008-2013 (February 10, 2021)

Studio(s)

High Bridge Entertainment/Gran Via Productions/Sony Pictures Television (Random Space Media)

Film/Program Grade: A
Video Grade: B+
Audio Grade: B+
Extras Grade: A-
Overall Grade: A

Review

[Editor’s Note: This is an ALL REGION Blu-ray release imported from Australia. It will work on all US Blu-ray players and it’s currently available to order from Amazon US here.]

Walter White (Bryan Cranston) is an unappreciated high school chemistry teacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who’s just been diagnosed with lung cancer. Worried about the medical expenses and his family’s future if he should die, Walt realizes—after riding along on a meth lab raid with his DEA agent brother-in-law Hank (Dean Norris)—that there’s a lot of quick money to be made in cooking meth. And since Walt knows the science, it seems like an obvious opportunity. But the thing is, Walt’s also a perfectionist. So when he decides to take advantage of this new criminal enterprise, Walt seeks out Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), a former student who (it turns out) owned the raided lab, and together they end up making the best meth on the street, a substance that quickly becomes known as “Blue” to both its enthusiastic customers and law enforcement. Blue is so good, in fact, that it completely upends the local drug trade, upsetting the kingpins who control it. Before long, Walt—who earns the nickname “Heisenberg” on the street—and Jesse find themselves in the eye of a hurricane, as various cartels fight over their product and services, and the DEA attempts to identify and find them, then put them out of business for good. But even as they gain ever more powerful enemies, the pair recruits a hitman/cleaner named Mike (Jonathan Banks) to protect their interests and a sleazy lawyer named Saul (Bob Odenkirk) to help them stay ahead of the law. And when Walt’s wife Skyler (Anna Gunn) begins to realize that something’s up with her husband, the lengths to which Walt and Jesse must go to hide their scheme grow ever more extreme.

Created by Vince Gilligan, the concept for Breaking Bad was an effort to create a dramatic series about an essentially decent and mild-mannered man who gradually goes bad, driven first by desperation and eventually by his own pride. And yet the remarkable thing is that Walt manages to remain empathetic the entire time (or at least nearly so). Gilligan, a longtime writer on Chris Carter’s The X-Files, met Cranston when the actor made a guest appearance on that series. Their eventual collaboration here—for the cable channel AMC—resulted in what’s been widely hailed by critics as one of the best dramatic series of all time. Certainly, for most of its six seasons, Breaking Bad was easily the best and most engrossing series on TV. Over time, it earned a whopping 16 Emmy Awards with 58 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series honors in 2013 and 2014, as well as 2 Peabody Awards. It even spawned the successful spinoff Better Call Saul, an AMC prequel series featuring Bob Odenkirk’s Saul Goodman, as well as the Netflix streaming sequel film El Camino, which continues the story of Jesse Pinkman in the aftermath of the series’ finale.

Produced by Sony Pictures Television, Breaking Bad was originally released on disc season by season, starting with the first on DVD in 2009 (a Blu-ray set followed six months later in 2010). The sixth and final season appeared on Blu-ray and DVD in 2013, along with a Complete Series Limited Edition Blu-ray set (packaged in a plastic barrel). However, while the El Camino sequel film was finally released by itself on Blu-ray here in the States by Sony in late 2020, it’s never been included with the series… until now. The Australian distributor Random Space Media has just released Breaking Bad: The Complete Series in a new 16-disc Blu-ray package that includes El Camino for the very first time. As was the case with their recent Battlestar Galactica: The Definitive Collection box set (reviewed here), this release is ALL REGION. Better still, it’s currently selling on Amazon for the exact same price as Sony’s wide-release Blu-ray package (approximately $79.99), which doesn’t include the film.

Random Space Media’s box set includes all 62 episodes of the series (and the feature film) in 1080p HD in their original aspect ratio of 1.78:1. Image quality is generally very solid, with accurate color and solid contrast overall. Breaking Bad was shot on 35 mm film from start to finish (in Super 35 format), so the source is of fine quality. The first season has a slight digitally-processed look to it though, with a bit of unevenness to the color and detail, possibly due to limitations in HD scanning technology when the show was first finished in 2008. It’s not bad in any way, just perhaps a little dated looking. Subsequent seasons get much better, however, and by the end the production values are excellent.

Sound for each episode is present in English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. The series’s surround mixes are surprisingly dynamic and lively, with excellent bass, good precision, and lovely ambience in the surrounds. Dialogue is clean and clear at all times. Music is full sounding and well staged in the mix. Optional subtitles are included in English SDH and French.

Here’s more good news: Random Space Media’s box set includes essentially the same special features as the previous Sony Blu-rays. Here’s a look at what you get, broken down disc by disc…

SEASON ONE – DISC ONE

Breaking Bad (HD – 58:06)
The Cat’s in the Bag (HD – 48:12)
And the Bag’s in the River (HD – 48:11)
Cancer Man (HD – 48:15)

Audio Commentary on Breaking Bad with Members of the Cast and Crew
Deleted Scenes for Breaking Bad
Optional Episode Recaps

SEASON ONE – DISC TWO

Gray Matter (HD – 48:11)
Crazy Handful of Nothin’ (HD – 48:04)
A No-Rough-Stuff-Type Deal (HD – 47:42)

Audio Commentary on Crazy Handful of Nothin’ with Members of the Cast and Crew
Deleted Scenes for Gray Matter and A No-Rough-Stuff-Type Deal
Optional Episode Recaps
Making of Breaking Bad
AMC Shootout: Interview with Vince Gilligan and Bryan Cranston
Screen Tests
Inside Breaking Bad segments for each episode
Vince Gilligan’s Photo Gallery
Breaking Bad on AMC

SEASON TWO – DISC ONE

Seven Thirty-Seven (HD – 47:15)
Grilled (HD – 47:57)
Bit By a Dead Bee (HD – 46:59)
Down (HD – 47:24)
Breakage (HD – 47:21)

Audio Commentary on Seven Thirty-Seven with Members of the Cast and Crew
Deleted Scenes for Seven Thirty-Seven, Bit By a Dead Bee, and Down
Inside Breaking Bad segments for each episode
Season 1 Recap
The Cast on Season 2
Season 2: What’s in a Name?

SEASON TWO – DISC TWO

Peekaboo (HD – 47:22)
Negro y Azul (HD – 47:21)
Better Caul Saul (HD – 47:21)
4 Days Out (HD – 47:21)

Audio Commentary on Better Call Saul with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on 4 Days Out with Members of the Cast and Crew
Inside Breaking Bad segments for each episode
Deleted Scenes for Peekaboo, Better Call Saul, and 4 Days Out
Negro Y Azul Music Video
Making of Negro y Azul Music Video
The Tortoise Scene

SEASON TWO – DISC THREE

Over (HD – 47:22)
Mandala (HD – 47:21)
Phoenix (HD – 47:24)
ABQ (HD – 47:34)

Audio Commentary on ABQ with Members of the Cast and Crew
The Writers’ Lab: An Interactive Guide to the Elements of ABQ
Inside Breaking Bad segments for each episode
Deleted Scenes for Over, Mandala, and ABQ
A Look Ahead
The Special Effects
The Props
The Sets
Locked in the Trunk
Inside the RV with Aaron Paul
The Crew
Better Caul Saul Commercial
Cop Talk Segments with Dean Norris
Gag Reel
Walt’s Warning
Breaking Bad Original Webisodes
Season 3 Sneak Peek
Vince Gilligan’s Photo Gallery

SEASON THREE – DISC ONE

No Más (HD – 47:12)
Caballo Sin Nombre (HD – 47:12)
I.F.T. (HD – 47:13)
Green Light (HD – 47:13)
Más (HD – 47:13)

Audio Commentary on No Más with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Más with Members of the Cast and Crew
Inside Breaking Bad segments for each episode
Deleted Scenes for No Más, Caballo Sin Nombre, I.F.T., and Green Light
Unused Footage for No Más
White Heat: Cranston on Fire
Pizza of Destiny: Cranston’s Greatest Shot

SEASON THREE – DISC TWO

Sunset (HD – 47:13)
One Minute (HD – 47:13)
I See You (HD – 47:14)
Kafkaesque (HD – 47:12)

Audio Commentary on Sunset with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on One Minute with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on I See You with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Kafkaesque with Members of the Cast and Crew
Inside Breaking Bad segments for each episode
Deleted Scenes for Sunset and Kafkaesque
Silent But Deadly: The Brothers Moncada
Team S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
Better Call Saul Commercials and Testimonials

SEASON THREE – DISC THREE

Fly (HD – 47:13)
Abiquiu (HD – 47:13)
Half Measures (HD – 47:12)
Full Measure (HD – 47:14)

Audio Commentary on Fly with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Half Measures with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Full Measures with Members of the Cast and Crew
Inside Breaking Bad segments for each episode
Deleted Scenes for Fly, Abiquiu, Half Measures, and Full Measures
The Breaking Bad Family Photo Album
The Music of Breaking Bad
Hit and Run
AMC News Visits the Breaking Bad Writers’ Room
Gag Reel
Mini Video Podcasts

SEASON FOUR – DISC ONE

Box Cutter (HD – 47:11)
Thirty-Eight Snub (HD – 45:58)
Open House (HD – 46:13)
Bullet Points (HD – 45:13)
Shotgun (HD – 47:12)

Audio Commentary on Box Cutter with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Thirty-Eight Snub with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Open House with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Bullet Points with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Shotgun with Members of the Cast and Crew
Inside Breaking Bad segments for each episode
Extended & Alternate Scenes for Box Cutter and Open House
Deleted Scenes for Shotgun
Gale’s Karaoke Video

SEASON FOUR – DISC TWO

Cornered (HD – 47:12)
Problem Dog (HD – 47:12)
Hermanos (HD – 47:12)
Bug (HD – 47:12)
Salud (HD – 47:12)

Audio Commentary on Cornered with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Problem Dog with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Hermanos with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Bug with Members of the Cast and Crew
Inside Breaking Bad segments for each episode
Extended & Alternate Scenes for Cornered, Hermanos, and Salud
Deleted Scenes for Problem Dog, Bug, and Salud

SEASON FOUR – DISC THREE

Crawl Space (HD – 46:57)
End Times (HD – 45:58)
Face Off (HD – 50:27)

Audio Commentary on Salud with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Crawl Space with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on End Times with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Face Off with Members of the Cast and Crew
Inside Breaking Bad segments for each episode
Deleted Scenes for Crawl Space
Inside the Explosive Finale
The Sets of Breaking Bad
The Invisible Driver
The Real Family of Breaking Bad
Better Call Saul Commercials
Video Podcasts
Gag Reel
Cast Chemistry
Color Me Bad
The Science of a Hit Show
Superlab Tour
The White House

SEASON FIVE – DISC ONE

Live Free or Die (HD – 42:58)
Madrigal (HD – 47:13)
Hazard Pay (HD – 47:17)
Fifty-One (HD – 47:26)

Audio Commentary on Live Free or Die with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Madrigal with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Hazard Pay with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Fifty One with Members of the Cast and Crew
Inside Breaking Bad segments for each episode
Extended Scenes for Madrigal
Deleted Scenes for Fifty-One
Scene by Scene: Directors Discuss Memorable Moments
The Writers of Breaking Bad
Gag Reel
Writers’ Room Timelapse
Chris Hardwick’s All-Star Celebrity Bowling
Gallery 1988 Art Show

SEASON FIVE – DISC TWO

Dead Freight (HD – 48:03)
Buyout (HD – 47:25)
Say My Name (HD – 47:17)
Gliding Over All (HD – 47:21)

Audio Commentary on Dead Freight with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Buyout with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Say My Name with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Gliding Over All with Members of the Cast and Crew
Inside Breaking Bad segments for each episode
Extended Scenes for Say My Name
Deleted Scenes for Dead Freight and Buyout
Exclusive Scene: Chicks ’n’ Guns
Nothing Stops This Train
The Cleaner: Jonathan Banks as Mike
Prison Stunt Rehearsal
Jesse Plemmons Audition Footage
Laura Fraser Audition Footage

SEASON SIX – DISC ONE

Blood Money (HD – 47:22)
Buried (HD – 47:23)
Confessions (HD – 47:23)
Rabid Dog (HD – 47:15)

Audio Commentary on Blood Money with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Buried with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Confessions with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Rabid Dog with Members of the Cast and Crew
Inside Breaking Bad segments for all episodes
Deleted Scenes for Buried, Confessions, and Rabid Dog
Blood Money Table Reed
Walt’s Confession
Jesse Pinkman Evidence Tape
The Layers of a Sound Mix
Ozymandias Trailer
Gag Reel

SEASON SIX – DISC TWO

To’Hajiilee (HD – 46:13)
Ozymandias (HD – 47:13)
Granite State (HD – 53:26)
Felina (HD – 55:14)

Audio Commentary on To’Hajiilee with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Ozymandias with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Granite State with Members of the Cast and Crew
Audio Commentary on Felina with Members of the Cast and Crew
Inside Breaking Bad segments for all episodes
Extended Scenes for Granite State and Felina
The Main Event
The Final Showdown
Life of a Show Runner
Alternate Ending
Fire in the Hole: M60 Test Footage

EL CAMINO: A BREAKING BAD MOVIE

El Camino (HD – 122:18)

Audio Commentary with Vince Gilligan and Aaron Paul
Super-Commentary!
Making El Camino
Deleted & Extended Scenes
Gag Reel
Storyboard Breakdowns
Promotional Materials
Roder FX

As you can see, this box set is pretty well loaded with special features. The video-based extras are presented in a mix of SD (especially for the early seasons) and HD (for the later ones). In terms of the audio commentaries, virtually everyone of consequence who worked on the series shows up at once point or another; the tracks often involve Gilligan with a room full of writers and actors having an on-going conversation as they watch the episode in question. There’s an abundance of deleted, extended, and alternate footage here too, along with some of the great “Better Call Saul” TV commercials (the fictional in-universe ads for the character’s legal services, not promos for the spin-off series).

So what’s not included here? Well, you don’t get the exclusive bonus disc that was included in Sony’s 2013 Limited Edition set. That had the two-hour documentary No Half Measures: Creating the Final Season of Breaking Bad, along with an hour of additional featurettes. You also don’t get the Mythbusters: Breaking Bad Special that was included on a bonus disc with some copies of Season Six. But that’s basically all you’re missing; everything else is here. And remember, for the same price as the current US BD set from Sony, you’re essentially getting El Camino on Blu-ray for free. Note that the packaging for here is no-frills: You get a simple cardboard box that holds a set of 7 Amaray cases containing the set’s Blu-ray Discs—one for each season and one for the film. (It’s worth noting, however, that it’s still more sturdy than Sony’s wide-release packaging, which is all cardboard.) Here’s what it looks like...

Breaking Bad: The Complete Series (with El Camino) (Australian Import) (Blu-ray Disc)

Any way you slice it, Breaking Bad is riveting television. And now, thanks to Random Space Media, you can finally enjoy the truly complete experience on Blu-ray Disc in a single package. If you don’t already own this series on BD (but you’ve always wanted to), this is definitely the version you’ll want to get get your hands on.

- Bill Hunt

(You can follow Bill on social media at these links: Twitter and Facebook)