24: Season Four
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Movie Reviews of 24: Season Four
Movie Review: Tick Tock a Fourth Time
Summary: 5 Stars
Season four of suspense drama 24 keeps the plot points coming and the suspense building once again.
In the aftermath of season 3, Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) was fired from CTU (Counter Terrorism Unit) Los Angeles. But, always a resourceful guy, he lands on his feet with a job working for Secretary of Defense James Heller (William Devane). In the year and a half away from CTU, true love may have finally come his way again as he builds a relationship with the boss's daughter, Audrey (Kim Raver).
All this comes crashing down as a cell of terrorists once again begin to carry out attacks on the US. It starts with the kidnapping of James and Audrey, but that's only the start of a series of attacks planned by mastermind Habib Marvan (Arnold Vosloo). As each crisis begins, the staff at CTU must find a way to deal with it all the while searching for Habib to end the constant attacks.
Viewers of the show were shocked to learn that many of the regulars from past years hadn't been asked to return for season 4. While disappointing, it was probably a wise move because they were running out of storylines for these characters. While Jack's daughter never did show up this season, they did bring back Tony (Carlos Bernard), Michelle (Reiko Aylesworth) and former President Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) in credible ways that added to the story.
Once again, the story reigns supreme with edge of your seat suspense from episode one until the end. I didn't feel this season was quite as strong as the last one. The multiple attacks made for a more fragmented feel for me. Also, several of their plot complications are a little too familiar by now, making this season's cliffhangers some of the most predictable to date. Still, these are minor squabbles in the grand scheme of things. The pacing is sharp and the story line never gets too far off track. And there are several surprising twists along the way. I particularly enjoyed one involving CTU computer agent Chloe (Mary Lynn Rajskub). Speaking of whom, she really grew on me this season. While there are still times I love to hate her, I understand her more.
Which brings up an important point. While plot is supreme on this show, characters are important as well. By spending a very stressful day with these people, we do get to know, understand, and like them. This point was really driven home to me near the end of the season when Tony and Michelle faced a crisis and I was so wrapped up in what would happen to them, I was actually more concerned with them then the millions of others in danger.
The contents of this seven disc set will come as no surprise to the fans that have been buying these all along. The 24 episodes are presented in wide screen and full surround on the first six discs. Each disc includes one commentary track and deleted scenes from the episodes. Disc seven is where most of the bonus features are. All the deleted scenes are presented again with optional commentary. There are previews for season 5 as well as the new 24 video game. Featurettes this go around include a look at creating the new set for CTU, a look at filming a car chase as well as the train explosion, and a look at the military expertise used to make CTU feel real.
While not my favorite season, this show is still at the top of its game and showing no signs of slowing down. Because each season is its own story, new viewers could come in here without being too lost, although returning character's story lines won't mean as much. Faithful fans will find much to love and little to complain about in this season.
Movie Review: 24 Season 4 (DVD)
Summary: 5 Stars
24 began its life on television accompanied by the faint whiff of gimmicky desperation, not unlike fellow Fox show Prison Break, which is becoming increasingly unsatisfying. A strange thing happened, though. Instead of being constrained by the format - which, for those uninitiated, follows the action in more or less real time, with each episode detailing one hour in a single, hectic and action-oriented day - the difference from other dramatic serial conventions helped eventually spawn fresh new approaches to storytelling and sustained a show that has grown surprisingly substantive in its emotional depth.
As disgraced (now former) Counter Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer - who really should get together with Die Hard's John McClane at some point for a top-this, roundtable discussion of occupational highs and lows - Kiefer Sutherland has found what is undeniably the best role of his career. Equally impressive, though, is the manner in which he has both grown and settled into it as the series progresses, evincing new layers of complexity, coarseness and sublimated feeling.
The fourth season of 24 begins with creator Joel Surnow and Michael Loceff's superlative episode, in which the explosion of a train in the California desert serves as the cover for a snatch-and-grab. Blunt Secretary of Defense James Heller (William Devane, subbing nicely for Donald Rumsfeld) and his married daughter Audrey (Kim Raver), who's having a clandestine affair with Jack, are both kidnapped, and it's not long before a dangerous virus code on the Internet is linked to the attacks and America's nuclear reactors are teetering on the brink of meltdown. As these larger implications and ramifications of the kidnapping are exposed, a new and more ominous plot is revealed, with a family of Turkish immigrants, fronted by Navi and Dina Araz (Nestor Serrano and Shohreh Aghdashloo), at the center of an extremist Muslim terror cell. With both Jack and the CTU racing to figure out the terrorists' true objective, it becomes clear that the events of this day have been years in the making - and only a miracle will prevent the scheduled attacks that the terrorists believe will bring the United States to its knees.
Apart from its sterling production values, one of the most impressive things about re-watching 24 is the manner in which it sows the seeds for future dramatic tension - in this case with Charles Logan (Gregory Itzin), an ineffectual veep unprepared to inherit the mantle of the presidency. Some of the plot twists are a bit overly florid - the result of having to pack each hour with its own peaks and valleys - and the occasional re-introduction of supporting characters from past seasons reeks of attempted ratings manipulation, but the show overall delivers on a consistently high basis.
Distributor 20th Century Fox continues to do right by television fans, releasing superlative sets of both its new and catalogue properties. This seven-disc set's gatefold packaging is a bit ridiculous, the tapeworm of DVD presentation. But an exclusive prequel nicely bridges the fourth and fifth seasons of the show (the latter being on the air now), and the usual clutch of production featurettes, actor and filmmaker commentaries, deleted and extended scenes and more all nicely round out this release.
Movie Review: Day 4: A Mixed Bag
Summary: 5 Stars
The fourth longest day of Jack Bauer's life starts out with a bang, as usual. Jack has been dismissed from CTU by the new boss, Erin Driscoll (Alberta Watson), and now works for the Secretary of Defense, James Heller (William Devane.) Jack is secretly involved with Heller's married daughter, Audrey (Kim Raver.) Jack is in L.A. for a meeting with Driscoll over budgetary concerns, but as it happens, Muslim terrorists pick this very day to bomb a train and steal a very important briefcase from a courier. Things only get worse when Heller and Audrey are kidnapped and the terrorists threaten to put Heller on trial via the internet. These events launch Jack into yet another harrowing day filled with twists and turns. Along the way, Jack will make new enemies and will establish new friendships. He will also encounter familiar faces from the past like Tony Almeida, Chloe O'Brian, Michelle Dessler and even ex President David Palmer.
The problem with this season is in it's overall construction. In previous efforts, the writers had several large themes present throughout the entire course of one season that seemed to hold the plot together, even during the weak points. This time, they presented multiple threats with shorter story arcs. The result is short term satisfaction, but little story continuity as the mastermind terrorist goes from one plan to another and then another with inexplicable transition.
When the plots work, they work extremely well. The initial threat comes from the family next door, with Oscar-winner Shohreh Aghdashloo playing the terrorist matriarch and the scariest villain to ever grace 24. This plot was controversial enough that it caught the attention of certain American Muslim groups, who objected to the depiction of the Araz family. There's also a great storyline near season's end involving the Chinese, leading to an excellent season finale with a twist ending that sets things up nicely for Day 5. Unfortunately, we're also treated to too much torture, another mole in CTU and characters who disappear without explanation before we get to that point.
If there's one thing that 24 does better than most, it's the provision of great extras in almost every DVD set. The prequel to Day 5 isn't as long as producers promised, but it's a nice morsel that wets our appetites for things to come. All of the behind-the-scenes documentaries are a treat and some of the deleted scenes actually explain certain plot points that were cut from the broadcast episodes due to time constraints. There are also more commentaries in this set than any other and the insights given by writers and directors are great for us hard core fans, though its hard to figure out why Shannen Doherty could give us commentary, when Kiefer Sutherland couldn't.
Overall, 24 Season Four may be a mixed bag, but the good outweighs the bad and it still contains all of the riveting elements that make this one of the best shows on television today.
Movie Review: Tick, tock, tick, tock
Summary: 5 Stars
I remain convinced that the majority of Americans have a television-related vice, as much as we're pained to make this embarrassing admission. Teenagers have "The OC." Women have "Desperate Housewives." Men have "24." (Although I'm sure others enjoy it too.)
In the interest of full disclosure, I rejected this show my freshman year in college. As my roommate sat and watched slack-jawed episode after episode, I quietly chuckled to myself, while occasionally ridiculing him for watching such tripe. I believed myself to be above it. After watching Season Four, I know I am not.
Let's not bother with redundant details or synopses. Let's focus instead on why I think this show "just works." First, it is denied any sense of humor from its writers. In fact, it has negative humor. This is not a criticism - the very seriousness with which this show takes itself is critical to its entertainment value. As the viewer, you're never afforded anything to lessen the intensity of the show. Any humor is incidental and often provided by my second point - the depthless characters on the show. From the hackneyed overuse of stereotypes (terrorists by the bushel, femme fatales, schizophrenics, moles everywhere, and our do-no-wrong hero) to the scenes of contrived emotion and tenderness, "24" is nothing if not transparent. You know that everything will work out in the end. Finally, the show walks a fine line between villainy and cartoonish super-villainy (bonus points if you caught that reference.) An impossible problem is given an impossible solution, which is immediately followed with another preposterous situation that has an equally silly out. And it just goes on and on like this, episode after episode.
These three faults would doom any other show, but not "24." In the hands of its skilled actors and actresses - Kiefer Sutherland unbeknownst to him was born to play the role of Jack Bauer - and deft editors, "24" becomes something else. It doesn't need humor, depth, or plausibility. The great joy of this show is simply watching to find out what happens next, even though you know the show is happily jerking your chain. "24" draws out your inner demand for closure like no other, and that's why it works. It entertains you just enough each episode and then leaves you perched precariously on the edge of your seat so that you come back for more. Watching "24" is like having a very had habit and hey, we're all allowed to have one, right?
To make a tired point, "24" is delirious and dizzying. It is loud and it is violent. It is the antithesis of subtle. It is not the best show ever made. It is thrilling, testosterone-fueled, escapist mayhem, served to you in 24 hour-long (actually, 45 minute) doses. And truthfully, it is all of it superb.
Movie Review: Plain Cheese Pizza Is Still Great
Summary: 5 Stars
As a die hard `24' fan I can minutely pick it to death with all the things they could have done differently or better. But let me first say yes yes yes it's a must see and worth every penny.
If you've seen `24' before you won't be disappointed. If you're new to `24' season 4 will certainly make you a fan.
The Plot: Kiefer Sutherland is back as super spy Jack Bauer. While visiting the new CTU (Counter Terrorism Unit) in LA, Jack's girlfriend and her father the Secretary of Defense are held hostage by Muslim terrorists. The terrorists have planned a full day of attacks on America including melting down our nuclear power plants, assassinating the President (Geoff Peterson) by shooting down Air Force One, and stealing the Nuclear Football with our ICBM codes. The only real side plot is told by a Muslim boy who loves America and rebels against his parents by not being a terrorist.
Why it works: Season 4 works because there's NEVER a dull moment, there are arguably more explosions and shootouts than any other season. It also embodies everything we love about `24' the action is very real, there are no hokey scenes of kids beating terrorists or cops or G Men acting like stereotypical fools. There's more techno babel than `Star Trek' as CTU uses all the latest technology and gadgets that put Q to shame to stop crime in real time.
There are no long drawn out kidnappings that take 6 hours, or kidnap victims sitting in a barn for 7 hours (season 1). There are no meaningless filler side plots of romances or family problems (seasons 1 & 3).
For its climax season 4 REALLY comes through with the return of Mandy (Mia Kirshner) the sexy assassin, who proves her self a formidable force to take on all of CTU.
The week points: The big problem `24' faced in its 4th season was that 90% of the cast walked off!!! Hence they must be replaced by new characters. But just as we are introduced to and getting to like CTU's new members about 12 hours in they leave for cheesy reasons and the plot shifts drastically to attempting to reunite the original cast of characters.
Jack succeeds with all except for `24's true star Nordic goddess Elisha Cuthbert. The absence of Elisha as Kim Bauer is downright painful. There is no Kim being chased by a mountain lion, giving her gun to terrorists, trying to date her kidnappers, setting her car on fire, or being kidnapped on an hourly basis.
The final week point is that CTU does not face an overall threat as it did in season 2 & 3 so some of the impending horror of the situation is lost. Rather the terrorists' plan is a mystery and CTU reacts to the terrorist attacks rather than trying to stop them.
With that said, order it now!!!