24: Season One
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Movie Reviews of 24: Season One
Movie Review: Enter Jack Bauer...
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm undergoing a self-inflicted 24 marathon. I have the first 4 seasons on DVD and if things go as planned I'll have Seasons 5 and 6 on my DVD shelf by the end of the month. I did not pick up "24" when it originally aired in 2001, although I had very much wanted to. In fact I didn't get to regularly watching it until Season 5 and after a few episodes was hooked. The shows' premise, that of watching a plot to assassinate a black Presidential candidate on the day of the California primary is most definitely ambitious, and somehow the producers of the show managed to make it work spectacularly.
To attempt an in-depth review of the whole of Season 1 of "24" would take up several pages of Amazon's review board, so I'll condense. Jack Bauer(Kiefer Sutherland) is in charge of the LA branch of a government anti-terrorist outfit called CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit). His unit receives word from an outside source that an unnamed group has hired assassins to make an attempt on the life of Senator David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert, whom anyone who hasn't watched "24" will immediately recognize as the guy on the Allstate Insurance commercials) who is a leading candidate in the Democratic Presidental Primary to be held that day. Jack, along with the help of coworkers who may or may not be working against him, must race against time to reveal the plot against Palmer's life, as well as find and protect his wife and daughter, whom the assassins are using as bargaining chips to make Bauer do much of their dirty work for them.
This is a very adrenaline packed program and the show is arranged so that each episode ends on the cusp of some cliffhanger type moment. That said, I think if the average person had a day anywhere near as convoluted as Jack or his family has they'd be ready for a lifetime supply of lithium and instant membership to their local mental health institute. The particulars of the plot change without warning and characters you thought were good turn out to be bad...and sometimes good again.
There are some particular things I learned from watching this season of "24", some of which hold true for following seasons.
-When Jack Bauer says "I give you my word" to anyone, that person is going to die a painful death, albeit probably not at Jack's hand
-Jack is very proficient at making suspects talk
-Kim Bauer, Jack's daughter, makes a great hostage. Easy on the eyes, probably smells nice, and manages to look good even when she hasn't showered in 24 hours. And she has a real knack for becoming a hostage multiple times just in a single season!
-If you're nice to Kim Bauer and can make her laugh, even a little bit, she'll date you.
-Ryan Chappelle, Director of CTU, is a perpetual dork.
-Short term amnesia is a serious life-threatening issue for any good TV character. It would sure come in handy for days when I want to call in sick to work but can't. "Sorry boss, I have amnesia. I can't remember how to do my job"
-CTU field agents are like the red shirts from "Star Trek". There are an endless supply of them and they always die.
-No matter how far away a target is the CTU Tactical Team on their helicopter has an ETA of 15 minutes. And they will always appear *after* Jack has already neutralized all the hostiles.
-Dennis Hopper does a great impression of Christopher Walken doing an impression of Boris Badenov doing an impression of a Serbian accent.
-Dennis Hopper is amazingly buoyant.
-CTU has more moles than a fallow farm field
-Shooting a tranq dart in your bosses' leg is always a great idea when you're looking to get ahead on an investigation. I'll remember this next time I'm bucking for promotion at my job.
-Jack Bauer is like an updated Dirty Harry. Love him or hate him, he gets the job done and very efficiently.
All kidding aside this is a real action-packed, adrenaline pumping series to watch and you'll find yourself unable to stop watching the next episode, even when you know it'll cost you a couple of hours of good sleep you need for work the next day. I heartily recommend "24" Season 1 as a great start to a fantastic continuing series!
Movie Review: An Incomparable Television Experience!!
Summary: 5 Stars
24 is the most engaging television experience ever put on the air. I saw my first episode of 24 in July of 2001. One of my friends worked for a marketing agency and FOX television was one of their major clients. In order to prepare their staff to develop marketing plans for the upcoming FOX television season, employees were asked to screen tapes they were given of the upcoming pilots/season premiers. I watched the tape of the 24 pilot 2 ½ months before it was set to premiere and knew then that it was going to be a smash. Any of you who currently watch the series can imagine how rough those months were considering the anticipation you are left with at the end of each show. 24 is a show you get sucked into. Unfortunately, it is hard to get sucked in mid-season or even mid series as several show elements rely on information acquired from previous episodes. Many loyal viewers such as myself have become slaves to the series, and find it difficult to relate all the background knowledge you pickup from the series to other potential viewers who find this knowledge gap to be an unacceptable hurdle that prevents them from enjoying the series to the same extent and on the levels as you.This DVD set changes the rules and gives loyal fans and other would-be 24 viewers the chance to enjoy the first season for the first time, or all over again. For those unfamiliar with the show's concept here is a brief description of how this and every other season of 24 works...
...24 episodes are aired each 1 hour long comprising an entire season that will chronicle the happenings of a single 24 hour day - hence the title 24. Everything occurs in real-time as the show follows several different plot lines that cross and converge throughout the day often employing split screen effects to allow the viewer to experience several different events as they happen simultaneously. The plot centers around the day of Federal Agent Jack Bauer (Keifer Sutherland - who won a Golden Globe for Season 1) as he attempts to foil a terrorist plot to assassinate a Presidential candidate, and the lives of those persons who will eventually cross paths with Bauer's investigation...
...Needless to say this method of storytelling provides gut-wrenching plot twists and perplexing character developments that will have you developing your own conspiracy theories throughout the viewing. Each hour of the series leaves you anticipating the next. This lull in the action otherwise known as, 10:00pm Tuesday Night - 9:00pm the next Tuesday, has now been dealt with for all you new viewers w/ this DVD set.
I'm not going to waste your time remarking about extra added features, bonus footage, and the alternate ending that though enjoyable, not to mention, intriguing, do not represent the core of this set. The action, suspense, drama, and humility present in 24 represents television at its best. Owning this set is a testament to my love of the series, and my intention on sharing it with those not fortunate enough to have gotten sucked in as early as I was.
Season 2 began a few weeks back, and I am back to a celebrated Tuesday night tradition. This set is a steal when considering the hours of enjoyment you will have watching it and the seasons of 24 yet to come on FOX. I am by no means an avid TV viewer, as I only watch about 6-10 hours of TV a week (that includes the hour of news I watch each morning), but I make sure that at least 1 hour of that is reserved for 24. Treat yourself to some quality archived television by checking out this DVD set. You will thank me later.
If you still have your doubts, see if you can pick up the first episode of season 1 at your local video store, or a taped copy from one of the millions of viewers. If my words have not motivated you to own this DVD set, those 60 minutes will be all the convincing you will need.
Movie Review: Audacious, gripping...revolutionary.
Summary: 5 Stars
The Sopranos pushed the envelope, but 24 tossed it into the fire. While The Sopranos has the edge in brains -- complex characterization, moral dilemmas and deep-reaching psychological explorations -- 24 walks all over it in terms of brawn, delivery visceral impact that's often dizzyingly powerful.The premise of real-time narrative is impressive, yet the writers, directors and producers of the show are smart enough to make every moment count. The danger of showing a story in real time was that you could get bogged down in mundane details, but the writers have managed to whip up kaleidoscopic scripts that never let up even for a minute. There's always something interesting going on -- and because of how tightly packed with action this show is, it probably contains enough plot and relationship developments for two seasons of a normal show.
Make no mistake, though -- this show isn't just about a gimmick. 24 aims for the jugular, grounding itself firmly in great emotional connections that keep you interested in the hyperstylized approach of the show. Kiefer Sutherland, as agent Jack Bauer, makes one of the biggest comebacks in recent memory, reminding us that when he's saddled with a good role, great writing and excellent direction, his brand of simmering, low-key intensity is just fantastic to watch. Dennis Haysbert is amazing as morally upright presidential candidate David Palmer -- the conscience of the show. Many other beautiful supporting performances abound -- Sarah Clarke as troubled, intelligent agent Nina Myers; a deliciously smarmy Xander Berkeley as Bauer's difficult and untrustworthy boss; newcomer Elisha Cuthbert as Bauer's daughter Kim, who undergoes a compelling life lesson in responsibility and self-awareness over the course of the season; Karina Arroyave as tech whiz Jamey Farrell. And I just had to mention Kara Zediker, who plays Sen. Palmer's naive aide Elizabeth Nash. It's a small part that only appears in two episodes, but her suspenseful, emotionally complicated 'dance' with Misha Collins as a Serbian assassin is simply mind-boggling to watch.
24's production values are exceptional. With feature-film-worthy cinematography, an extremely aggressive camera (most of which must be either handheld or steadicam), jarringly energetic editing, an amazing score, fine direction both of actors and camera, and sweeping geographical coverage, this is probably the first TV show I've seen that seems capable of truly surpassing the conceits of TV. The action sequences are excellent, and the lighting is cinema-worthy.
I have but a few gripes. First, there seems to be a misogynistic leaning to the design of the characters -- a majority of the female characters are either scheming, lying, callous Lady Macbeths or victims designed to be killed off for emotional effect. The portrayal of Sen. Palmer's family seems to employ several stereotypes about black people, as well. And then, there are several plot twists that don't seem consistent with the rest of the show. Of course, when you have as many plot twists as this story, it's a wonder how at least 90 per cent of them work, and work extremely well. The final twist *is* a little forced, but at least it makes emotional sense, even if it may not make metaphysical sense.
This show is still a tremendous achievement in television. Indeed, it's heartening just to see the creators of this show take so many risks, even if some of them may not pay off. Just for its gutsy style, narrative conceits and white-knuckle tension, 24 deserves its own page in the annals of TV history. A milestone.
Movie Review: Innovative, Suspenseful Drama in a Reality TV World
Summary: 5 Stars
I have always liked FOX's ambitious and inventive spirit as a network, competing against the big three giants of the television industry: CBS, ABC, and NBC. Some of the network's show ideas have gone under, but 24 defies convention, as it never fails to deliver suspense each hour. Give 24 a quick look and you are hooked to the very end. Despite some rather corny, cookie-cutter moments (i.e. Teri Bauer's stint with amnesia), 24 is an intelligent, original, and fresh thrill ride of a show.Season 1 of 24, dubbed as "The Longest Day" ranges from 12:00am to 12:00am, the full day of the presidential primary in Los Angeles. The story revolves around two men: Senator David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert), an African-American presidential candidate, who is the target of assassination on that day, and CTU (CounterTerrorist Unit) agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), the man whose mission is to protect Palmer and thwart the terrorists behind the plot of achieving their goal. However, Bauer's mission has become personal. His daughter, Kim and eventually his wife, Teri are kidnapped and they, along with Bauer, are also targeted by the very same people threatening Palmer. But why? You would have to see how this plot unravels. To make matters harder, some of the people Jack works with at CTU, are working for the terrorists. Jack has the arduous task to protect Palmer and save his family, while having the right frame of mind on who to trust and not to trust in his mission to realize both his aims.
24 is wonderfully crafted and complicated that demands the viewer to watch its episode carefully, because of its meticulous real-time format. The pulse-pounding suspense can let up at certain points, but the transition scenes, whether it would be a shocking development or a pivotal juncture, kicks up the suspense a notch higher. But what makes 24 so effective is the superb acting of Kiefer Sutherland, who is in a word, masterful as Jack Bauer. He portrays Bauer as the gritty consummate professional, who would do just about anything to get the job done, even if it means walking the fine line of good and evil. At the same time, Sutherland elicits sympathy as a family man, with the desperation of a second crack at family togetherness. Haysbert pulls out a tremendous performance as Senator Palmer, an honorable and honest politician who believes in upholding the righteous ideals of American democracy. Worthy of mention is Penny Johnson Jerald, who plays Sherry Palmer, David's wife, a conniving, greedy woman, wanting nothing more than the power and popularity of being the First Lady. The two Bauer women, Teri, played by Leslie Hope and Kim, portrayed by the eye-catching Elisha Cuthbert, are solid in dealing with the unpredictability of their days. Nina Myers, played by the sultry Sarah Clarke, is impressive as Bauer's reasonably trustworthy secretary, with something up her sleeve. The rest of the supporting cast, from top to bottom are also wonderful.
In my opinion, the first season of 24 is slightly better than its successive second season because it is more unpredictable and provides higher shock value. For those who have not seen 24 in its entirety, it is best not to reveal the story and its highly detailed events in greater detail. Just sit back and watch how the story unravels, with loads of startling developments and intensity, leading up to the unforgettable, piece-de-resistance ending. I highly recommend this along with the second season DVD set, which is slated for a September release.
Movie Review: 24 Season 1 (DVD)
Summary: 5 Stars
For most of us, a busy day might include a meeting, a nice dinner and a night on the town. For Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) that would be a lazy Sunday in the warm August sunshine compared to the single day that makes up the debut season of 24, one of the most daring and exciting television series I've ever seen.
Time - there's lots in a day: 1,440 minutes, 86,400 seconds, one spin of the earth. The attempt to make a film documenting an entire day, virtually in real time, might have worked in The Truman Show, but I'm sorry to say that my interest would have been less than enthusiastic if anyone other than Jim Carrey had been cast in the starring role. It's just that difficult to make true real-time seem exciting. But that's what 24 does. Going from midnight to midnight on Super Tuesday, the day that would-be United States presidential hopefuls find out if they're going to enter the horse race for the White House, the show's first season is conveniently made up of 24 episodes, each lasting one hour.
John Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) stands a better than good chance of becoming the first black U.S. President, but someone's set up an elaborate plot to assassinate him on the day when his pending nomination is to become official. Enter Bauer, an esteemed member of California's counter-terrorist unit, and the only person with a chance of cracking the case.
Although the time aspect of 24 could be viewed as a gimmick (it is), it's also what makes the show unique and sets the intensity of every episode. As the day carries on, the plot unravels and thickens, and the stakes are raised to near unbearable points for all the characters involved, you're left guessing what's going to happen up until the very last second. This is suspense at its best. Everything is laid out methodically, so that when surprises pop up (and they do every few minutes), they make sense. The writers are not afraid to challenge the audience's expectations, often taking the route least predictable.
With everything that's going on, there's never a shortage of action, especially in the closing seconds of every hour. This is where a lot of the twists happen, as the makers try to hook viewers to tune in again next week. This is where the real-time format shows its greatest weakness. It's strange how everyone seems to get shot in the 59th minute of an episode. This may not have been as noticeable while watching on television during its initial run, but when you watch the whole season over a short period of time on DVD, it becomes obvious that the producers worked to pique interest at the end of every hour. The spins follow a time pattern, but it's still tough to figure out which way the spin's going to go.
We live in an age of conspiracy theories and uncertain global relations. Who are we watching? Who's watching us? The first season of 24 is all about the loss of trust. Bauer, his family, his co-workers, Palmer, even the public at large see the most sacred and intimate of emotions wither away, sacrifices to the television gods, and to my delight. Anyone you play with might just be playing you. Anything can happen in an instant. That's the thrill of time. It's only predictable in the present. 24 starts out by playing with the form of time, simply by letting it run. How long can the gimmick last? Who cares? Season one ranks among the best debuts I've seen.