24: Season Five
|
List Price: Our Price: $15.99 You Save: $33.99 (68%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $8.79 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of 24: Season Five
Movie Review: Day 5: 24's Peak Performance
Summary: 5 Stars
When the producers of 24 sat down to pen the beginning of the fifth longest day of Jack Bauer's life, they found themselves facing quite a quandary. They had faked Bauer's death in the finale of the fourth season, so they now had to figure out how to bring him out of hiding. The answer must've seemed painfully simple and obvious on paper; just kill off not one, but two main characters who were close to Jack. Simple maybe in it's conception, but the execution lead to a season that was anything but simple. Rather, it resulted in one of the best, most cohesive seasons of this intense series to date. In fact, this season was so good that it finally won both Kiefer Sutherland and the entire show Emmy Awards that were long overdue. From the shocking opening minutes of the first hour, to the grim and chilling last seconds in the finale, this season never lets up in its presentation of the roller coaster ride that makes 24 such a blast to watch.
Jack is flung full throttle into action once again when it seems that the people who helped him cover up his flight from the Chinese government appear to be targets for death. As Jack plunges headlong into this day, he faces down a group of renegade Russian separatists who are intent on destroying a new alliance between the U.S. and Russia. But the terrorists are only the surface problem, for as Jack digs deeper to find those responsible for murder, he finds that his greatest enemies lie within his own government.
Long-time fans of this series wondered what we would possibly do without the likes of David and Sherry Palmer to keep things interesting, but the fifth season gave us the unmistakable answer in the wonderfully compelling characters of President Charles Logan (Gregory Itzin) and his on-edge wife, Martha (Jean Smart.) As the conspiracy unfolds, the story of the president and first lady equal the harrowing exploits of Jack.
Also brought back for another hellish day are fan favorites such as Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard), Chloe O'Brian (Mary Lynn Rajskub), Bill Buchanan (James Morrison), and Wayne Palmer (DB Woodside), among others. This is also a season when former minor players get to take center stage, such as the ambiguous Mike Novick (Jude Ciccolella), and soft-spoken Secret Service Agent Aaron Pierce (Glenn Morshower.) As is always the case with each new season of 24, new characters are introduced who make their mark as well. Memorable introductions this year include another prickly CTU boss played by Sean Astin, and an ex CTU agent played to the hilt by Peter Weller, who may serve as the best nemesis for Jack since the days of Nina Myers.
Like the third and fourth season box sets, the fifth season DVD set is loaded with wonderful extra features that go unrivaled in TV circles. The most notable of these is an exclusive prequel for the sixth season, which is by far the most useful prequel we've had since the concept was introduced two years ago. The behind-the-scenes documentaries are as interesting as ever and I was particularly touched by the nostalgia of the mile-marker reel for the 100th episode, along with the personal insights into some of the cast members. The music of 24 has never been better and I enjoyed Sean Callery's insights into how he makes this portion of the show so integral. I also appreciated the new packaging on this set, as it makes the disks more manageable.
All and all, this is a superb season of 24 and should not disappoint any viewer, though I don't recommend watching it without having viewed prior seasons. Beware, squeamish adults, for the death toll this time around is exceptionally high. Still, as is always the case with 24, the thrills are well worth the price.
Movie Review: Possibly the best 24 yet
Summary: 5 Stars
For sheer intensity and plot topsy-turvies, no other show comes close to 24. You'd think the premise (every hour of the 24 episode-long season is played in real-time; thus 24 encapsulates a full day) would get old by now, but, surprisingly, the producers and writers have managed to come up with another riveting, must-see season. In fact, this might be the best season of them all. The thrills and nail-biting suspense (as well as the SPOILERS alert) begin early in the season five opener, with the shocking slaying of President Palmer and assassination attempts on familiar CTU agents (one of which is tragically successful). Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is lured out of hiding after 18 months and becomes rapidly embroiled in a devious conspiracy that goes all the way up to the White House. As he becomes the most wanted man in America (he is framed for Palmer's assassination), he must try to ferret out the true culprit(s) and again save the country from deadly Russian extremists and various domestic villains. On a personal level, he must come to terms with the deaths of personal friends, the alienation of his daughter Kim, and the fact that his former girlfriend Audrey Raines (Kim Raver) might have moved on.
There's a reason why Kiefer won the best dramatic actor Emmy and why 24 beat out the likes of the West Wing, the Sopranos, Grey's Anatomy, and House for best drama. The fifth season is fully serviced by a coming together of story and acting - from the gripping, edge-of-your-seat plot line, with its manic twists and turns, to the no-quarters-given, full speed ahead performances of the cast, but specially of Kiefer Sutherland, who gives his all in inhabiting his role. Kiefer IS the show and consistently produces such driven intensity, lying just beneath an icy cold surface, and yet his eyes reveal a vulnerability of sorts, when he's reacting to something personal to him. He makes a scene work, even without dialogue. Very good stuff. And, no, you do not want to get in the way of Jack Bauer.
There are other standouts, of course. Gregory Itzin as the shifty and weak-willed U.S. President makes you gleefully hiss, while Jean Smart as the medicated First Lady Martha Logan brings earnest soap-opera acting to primetime. Mary Lynn Rajskub (Chloe O'Brian) continues her highlight role as CTU's brilliant but cantankerous and socially-inept tech support operative. Meanwhile, James Morrison, Roger Cross, Kim Raver, Carlos Bernard, Louis Lombardi, and Sean Astin become the season's dependable, solid bedrock.
That so many of the regular cast die in this season lends an immediacy to the episodes and exponentially raises the stakes. There's no comfort level at all here, as you're never sure who would survive in the end (but, with this show, were you ever sure?). Even Kiefer Sutherland had played around with the idea of having Jack Bauer biting the dust (Please, no!).
So, the 24 - Season Five dvd box releases December 5, 2006, just in time for you to go thru 'em to prep for season six, which begins next January on Fox. Season Six, by the way, picks up nearly two years after season five's finale and will have James Cromwell with a recurring role as Jack's estranged dad, Phillip Bauer. Also joining the cast is Eddie Izzard, Kal Penn (Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle), Peter MacNicol, Regina King, and the beautiful Rena Sofer. I can't wait to own season five and, then, to see season six. Long live Jack Bauer!
Movie Review: The finest season of 24 so far
Summary: 5 Stars
I initially learned about "24" from watching it on the Fox channel during Sunday nights. Having only read a variety of Jack Bauer quotes and hearing much mythology related to the series, I was eager to give it a chance. Of what I saw, it pleased me greatly, but I was still only receiving an unconnected series of episodes relating to Jack Bauer and CTU (his agency).
A few months later, I decided that I wanted to watch a whole season at a steady pace to get a true feel for the series. I came onto Amazon and browsed Season 5's page, as I was recommended it by many fans. Seeing it for $20, I made the purchase and eagerly awaited it's arrival in the mail.
---
Now finished watching Season 5, I can say with certainty that this is one of the finer shows on television and among the few i'd recommend collecting on DVD.
In this season, we're presented with a masterful blend of action, conspiracy, drama, and espionage that doesn't let up until the end. It's amazing experience to compare the progression of events all the way from the first hour to the final hour.
The character of Jack Bauer is given an incredible amount of detail here by scenes that illustrate to us his two sides: his professional side and emotional side. The former shows us his unwavering dedication to the United States and why he does what he does, the latter shows us that he is indeed like everyone else with his friendships and romantic relationship. When the two clash, it truly becomes relevant to the story as a whole and the growth of Jack.
On the villainous side, there are two masterful performances here by actors Peter Weller and Julian Sands. Weller's "Christopher Henderson" is a man motivated by duty of his country like Jack, but in a fashion that is in all other ways antithetical to the protagonist of the story. Needless to say, they clash with explosive results. Sand's "Vladimir Bierko" maintains a chilling silence about him and manages to instill fear in the viewer without becoming an over-the-top comic book villain.
The organization of CTU is given the full treatment as well - we see politics, power plays and personal relationships that formed and will form the way Jack interacts with them in Season 6.
Also, I can now vouch for why this season is best for beginners: while it is five years in, not many of the previous plots and subplots have an overbearing presence on the show which necessitates being knowledgeable of past events. In short, it's an excellent way to get into the series, as well as way to spend the evening around the TV to the uninitiated alike.
Finally, while there has been some dissent on the new slimmed down packaging for the DVDs, I must say that they are made well enough and damaging them shouldn't be an issue unless you place heavy objects on the empty box.
Movie Review: Back To Its Political Roots
Summary: 5 Stars
While Season One of 24 focused much of its attention on President David Palmer, Seasons 2-4 saw the Oval Office by and large take a back seat to the missions of Jack Bauer and CTU. However, Season Five brings some of the attention back to the sitting U.S. President (this time Charles Logan) and ends up with a much more well-rounded storyline.
For a basic (non-spoilery) plot summary, a group of Russian terrorists threaten to release canisters of nerve gas in the U.S., leading Bauer to be reprieved from his thought-to-be death in order to help stop the crisis. As CTU begins investigating the terrorism, however, it quickly becomes clear that the terrorists are working with a high-ranking government official, and the conspiracy begins to be unraveled.
To be honest, at first I was skeptical of all the focus on President Logan, as didn't like his character and wasn't sure that he could command the camera as well as his predecessor Palmer. However, by the end of the season, Logan is easily the most enjoyable/interesting character on the show. His acting, along with his wife, chief of staff, and head of security, really gives the show the Presidential presence it lacked since that first season.
Of course, there is still more than enough of Jack Bauer and his fellow CTU agents (Audrey Rains, Bill Buchanon, Edgar Stiles, Chloe O'Brien, etc.) to go around, which means that intense drama ensues in every single episode. The writers have an amazing way to take a character that looks like a creep (think Tony Almeida and George Mason in the early seasons) and, by the end of a few episodes, have him become a noble hero, and that tradition continues in this season as well.
The only "knock" I have on this season is that the cliffhanger endings of each episodes aren't quite as shocking (e.g. Nina Myers doesn't appear out of nowhere). However, I think that was more of a creative choice by the writers, as the story is actually more coherent that any season besides the first one. Instead of seemingly changing the plot of the show with every episode, Season Five slowly crescendos until the big finale.
So, fans of 24 can purchase this season with confidence knowing that they will still get their action, drama, suspense, and some great twists and turns along the way.
Movie Review: Fifth season the finest since the first
Summary: 5 Stars
"24" is like Red Bull--once you've had it you're addicted. The fifth season of "24" revolves around one central mystery: who killed an ex-president and how is Jack Bauer connected to the assassination? It's a thrilling season--probably the best since the first season--and it comes to a stunning conclusion that will be answered in January of 2007. Interestingly after having watched "Casino Royale" its clear that the new Bond film was inspired by shows like "24" which were, in turn, inspired by early Bond and some of the newer spy thrillers out there. There are a number of twists and turns in this season set my advice is NOT to read any reviews that summarize anymore of the plot if you haven't seen this season as there are some major spoilers in some of the reviews that follow.
As usual Fox has put together a terrific DVD. This also features a brief episode "prequel" to the sixth season like previous sets had. We get a large amount of worthwhile commentary tracks including some with Emmy winner Kiefer Sutherland. There's also a summary of the season included as well athough if you've watched the show (or are watching it now) it won't really provide anything new. Th "100 Episode Reel" is a pretty useless extra -- basically a clips compilation.
Different places are offering different exclusives. If you purchase it here you can download a free episode from Unbox (at least during the Holidays) while Target also offers a limited edition bonus disc for this set with additional featurettes on the show. Regardless of whether you buy it here at amazon.com or elsewhere this set features plenty of extras including an examination of the wonderful Presidential retreat featured in the show, a good featurette on the stellar work by the cinematography on the show, a featurette on the supporting actors on the show as well as extended and deleted scenes. I haven't had a chance to dig through all the bonus material yet but it what I have checked out looks really, really good.
This set is packaged in the thinpak holders with two discs per holder so the accordian style packaging has been abandoned for this thinner packaging. This is a terrific set for an outstanding season of the series.What I would love to see if Keifer Sutherland and Donald Sutherland featured during a season.