Better Call Saul season 2: early spoiler-free reviews have arrived

The Breaking Bad prequel returns to Netflix in February

(Netflix)

The second season of Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul is almost upon us.

The series - a prequel to Vince Gilligan's acclaimed drama - focuses on Bob Odenkirk's small-time attorney Jimmy McGill and the events leading up to his evolution into Saul Goodman.

US critics have seen the first few episodes of season two and the verdict is hesitantly positive.

Variety reports that the series returns, "...looking as relaxed, unhurried and somewhat dishevelled as before" but points out that, while displaying many of Breaking Bad's qualities, highlights how "...it's so laconic, and less urgent in terms of its stakes at this stage, as to at times become a little too sleepy."

It surmises, however, that "...even a diluted version of what made Breaking Bad so addictive, it turns out, is way better than nothing at all."

Indiewire states that the opening episodes give "...every indication that [the writers will] be able to keep a good thing going," citing Odenkirk's performance as a high point.

Uproxx has praised the show's writing team, concluding: "I might enjoy watching Better Call Saul more than Breaking Bad. That's not me saying it's "better"... But, for a drama, any drama, it is almost a joy to watch."

The series premieres on Netflix in the UK on Tuesday 16 February.