24: Season One
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Movie Reviews of 24: Season One
Movie Review: "24" IS A BRAND-NEW FORM
Summary: 5 Stars
"24" is _not_ "like a soap opera" except in the superficial sense of a story that more-or-less continues from week to week.The closest analog I can think of is a saga like that of the Monkey King being translated to a series format for Asian television. But I don't think there has been any series ever before envisioned and executed with the tight structure and story line of "24."
I made the mistake of renting episodes of the first season (now available at my Blockbuster on DVD). I had seen maybe two and a half of the episodes in the first season when they aired, then gave it up because I didn't want to watch it through to the end without having seen the lead-up. Watching it all at once is like reading a novel that you can't put down. And I realized that that's what this is: a novel, in cinematic form.
The show is most obviously unique in the minute-by-minute gimmick. But the gimmick is itself deceptive -- going minute by minute suggests a naturalistic, "slice of life" approach, but in fact the direction and script are tightly stylized. (And because the show keeps cutting between different developments, it's not _really_ minute by minute.) The show is realistic and persuasive, but very highly selective in what it shows and how it shows it, always achieving the maximum effect by minimum means.
This is a complete visual novel -- not a condensed translation of a novel, like a mini-series adaptation. It is a complete novel with individual chapters. No other series has ever done this. Many have elements of continuity, etc., with characters developing over time and various sub-plots developing. But except for two-parters, the individual episodes are almost always self-contained. Not here. That's because the goal is to present a visual novel, not just to cover a 24 hour period with minute-by-minute suspense. "24" is also the opposite of soap operas, whose stories never reach any closure.
I also appreciate "24" for never thunking you over the head with the effects it is generating. It avoids cliche altogether and always assumes that the viewer will "get it." I think in the first season there was only one misstep, and that was the casting of Dennis Hopper as a bad guy with an accent.
Somebody is going to figure out that the same cinematic-novel approach will work with other kinds of stories, not just something with a time deadline, and then we'll see more of them. Right now I don't think people realize something new has been invented here. A cinematic novel done from scratch. Done perfectly the first time out of the gate.
Movie Review: Riveting and Unforgettable
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me start by saying I hate TV. The only show I've ever watched with dedicated steadiness is the X-Files. I got "24" on recommendation of a few friends, and the moment I sat down to watch it my world changed forever. This show is brilliant. Nothing short off.
Needless to say, after reading some reviews on this site I find myself shocked. I've never been this upset about any other review on Amazon before. I can understand how it may not be for some people. I even understand how some people may have issues with certain characters (Bauer's no-nonsense ways or Palmer's righteousness). But I cannot FATHOM how anyone can call it unrealistic, unbelievable or, worse yet, tedious. TEDIOUS??? I haven't slept or eaten normally in the past few days because all I can think of is getting home and watching another episode. Just one more... Just one more... I can't tear myself away from it. No show has ever been able to do that to me.
I am shocked that people find it unbelievable events like these can occur within 24 hours. All I can say to them is, you need to get out more! I've stayed up longer than that without sleep or food and barely a bathroom break, one of those times being in 1993 in a godforsaken Russian train station when a bomb threat was called in. You better believe things like that CAN happen, and they DO. Do you really believe that just because it's not on the 10 o'clock news, it isn't happening? You think you know EVERYTHING that's going on within your government? You don't think there's a Jack Bauer out there somewhere running around without sleep or food to save all our asses even though we have no clue he even EXISTS? Please, don't be naive.
I'm shocked that people are attacking the "liberal agenda" of this show - which is absurd. Did you even know that FOX is run by one of the most conservative people in the country? What bleeping liberal agenda? Palmer being black? If there was really a guy like Palmer out there, and if he really did run for president, I would vote for him in a heartbeat!
Everything in this show is top notch. Writing, directing, acting. The cast is stellar, and everyone - EVERYONE - is good match for Kiefer, he does not stand out at all but rather shines ALONG with a number of other stellar performances. A few annoyances (like the insistence that Jack's family always gets into trouble) do not spoil the rest of the show at all.
Sorry, but anyone who says things like "it insults my intelligence" are giving themselves too much credit. It doesn't sound like you've got much intelligence to spare if you give this little gem 1 star.
Movie Review: Las mejores 24 horas
Summary: 5 Stars
"24" es la mejor serie de accion de la television actual, y de las mejores de todos los tiempos. El formato de tiempo real -muy escazamente utilizado en el cine- es llevado con exito a la television, que se centra en la crisis que abarca exactamente 24 horas en la vida de Jack Bauer- un Kiefer Sutherland en su mejor momento y me temo felizmente ya felizmente encasillado en tan fabuloso personaje- quien acude a todo tipo de maniobras generalmente violentas, al margen de la ley para lograr su proposito, sin importar los costos humanos y medios.Esta vez, en su temporada inagural, Jack se encuentra atrapado entre el rapto de su adolescente hija Kim y un complejo plan para asesinar a un popular senador norteamericano.Ademas, Jack estara a merced de posibles traidores dentro de su propia arma, la CTU-Unidad de Contra Terrorismo.La adrenalina correra a borbotones en el cuerpo de todos los involucrados, mientras Jack tratara de demostrar su inocencia, salvar a su familia, proteger al senador, descubrir a los traidores, y cazar a los complotadores. Dejando de lado toda la moralina sobre si es correcto o no el proceder de Jack, la serie es altamente recomendable, imprecindible para la gente que gusta de una violencia mas intensa, "realista" (nada de pistoleros de fantasia, con pistolas que nunca se quedan sin sus balas magicas), las tramas inteligentes que tienen mas giros que una montaña rusa y llenas de cliffhangers como una excelente serial antigua, y los contiunos sobresaltos frente al televisor, sin olvidar a estos personajes bien delineados, sean heroes o villanos, mas grandes que la vida misma.Nunca he visto la serie en sus emisiones semanales en la tv, y me fui de frente a los dvds. La presentacion de la caja con los 6 DVDs -que contiene los 24 episodios excelentemente grabados- es muy atractiva (super fotos de los protagonistas) y viene acompañada de un booklet que detalla la trama hora a hora, a manera de guia para no perderse. Viene acompañada de interesantimos extras, con documentales y cosas asi, pero las escenas editadas y el final alternativo valen oro. Lo bueno para mi: vienen con subtitulos al español (gracias, chicos).Despues de ver el primer capitulo, uno queda irremediblemente enganchado no solo para esta temporada, sino para todas las siguientes. A no perderse "24" la primera temporada, pero antes de verla asegurese tener bastante comida y ponerse comodo, pues se quedara pegado a la pantalla un buen tiempo.Y desde ya, vaya juntando dinero para las demas temporadas. ¿No me cree? Ya vera.Movie Review: Almost perfection
Summary: 5 Stars
Is this the best series of 24? Probably, if only because of the skill and effort needed to devise the plot and the characters for the first time. But this is a magnificent story with so many different plot lines going on simultaneously. There's even some fantastic tension among the senator's family who spend almost the entire 24 hours hanging around in a hotel.
-- SPOILER WARNING: do not read on if you haven't already seen the series.
You can get a 100% accurate idea of who survives this series simply by looking at the DVD box covers of the subsequent series. There are a large number of deaths in this story, and many of them are incredibly callous in their execution. The one at the very end is almost unbelievable, because the victim just wanders into the wrong place at the wrong time. I wonder if the producers were certain right at the very start of the production that this particular murder was going to happen.
The construction of deceit throughout this series is fantastically well done. You have to watch the series through a second time, once you know who the CTU traitors are, to see how subtly their second-thoughts reactions are portrayed. For example: the only clue you get that the (first) dead girl's father isn't who he says he is comes when he and Terry Bauer arrive at the furniture shop and he fails to recognise his own daughter's car. Miss that -- and nearly everyone does, first time through -- and you get a nasty surprise a couple of hours later.
On a more philosophical level, the thing I dislike about 24 is the implication that some lives are worth a lot more than others. An enormous number of people lose their lives in this story to protect the senator's family and Jack Bauer's family. I question whether it was really worth it.
But Jack Bauer is America's James Bond (same initials, too), and you just have to accept a huge death toll with both.
The only other thing I dislike about this series is that the split down the middle, when the second production team takes over at 14.00, is rather visible. Jack has just rescued his family, they're sitting together exhausted in the helicopter, and it all feels rather the end of Jurassic Park. It could have ended there. The second story doesn't quite have the impact of the first half.
Finally, in case anyone was wondering, the Andrea Newman who wrote and/or produced several of these episodes is not the same Andrea Newman who wrote UK TV's 'Bouquet of Barbed Wire' in the 1970s.
Movie Review: A guilty pleasure that you don't keep hiding in closets
Summary: 5 Stars
The reason I say that is oddly enough, I'm actually a fan of Veronica Mars and Desperate Housewives, 2 shows primarily driven by women. Any guy mentioning they're a fan and you either get a "that's cool man" with a snickering later or you meet the progressive type that doesn't care and knows a good show when they see it. 24 in many ways is a show made by guys, largely starring guys and for guys, with some females getting in on it too. While it still suffers from the occasional implausibility(more on that later) it's still quite a compelling show.
Jack Bauer works at CTU, Counter Terrorist Unit. One night he's called in because there's going to be an assassination attempt on David Palmer's life, the only African-American senator who has a real shot at the US Presidency. Through many many twists and turns, Bauer tries to uncover who's behind the attempt and stopping them, all in the space of 24 hours.
By now you know the concept: 24 episodes in a season, each one taking up one hour of an entire day(well, 40 minutes since there's no commercials). Ordinarily, this wouldn't work but somehow the writers manage to keep things enthralling without having things seem implausible although there are exceptions. First forget about the fact ALL this stuff takes place in the span of 24 hours. Characters don't really seem affected as far as sleep or washrooms are concerned, then there's some story turns that seem like "oh come on..." and while I won't spoil it, a sudden case of....something just comes out of the blue.
One thing I love about shows like Smallville, The X-Files or the Simpsons is that I can watch any episode in any order and still be entertained for that time. However, shows like 24, Alias or Lost practically require you to watch from the beginning. While all the episodes are captivating, it's rare for you to pick out a certain episode and re-watch it; it's like starting a book on chapter 7. While it's not a terrible blow to the show, repeated viewings usually warrant you to watch everything, rather than pick and choose.
For every blunder a network has done like cancelling Freaks and Geeks, Wonderfalls, Joan of Arcadia or Firefly, now and then they get it right so kudos to Fox. Becoming a huge cult show with a loyal(sometimes too loyal maybe) fanbase, it's obvious that 24 was meant to be a big show. Forgot all the impossible sounding aspects of the show and you'll find yourself hooked quite fast.