24: Season One
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Movie Reviews of 24: Season One
Movie Review: 24 is GREAT!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Most of what has been mentioned here is right on the money. I just want to add two comments:First, the twist at the end is only "ludicrous" if you expect a Hollywood ending. I was shocked at the ending (trying not to give it away), and any OTHER ending would have been a cop-out...
Second, for those of you who have never met someone with instantaneous temporary amnesia, now you have, ME! When I was 16 I was sucker punched by someone in an emotional situation causing me to hit my head on cement, and the result was that I had amnesia instantly for the remainder of the day. I only snapped out of it the next morning when I woke up (which was strange, since it took me a while to realize I didn't remember going to sleep the previous night). Mine actually disabled my short term memory. You could tell me something and I would forget it 5 seconds later. Today I have memory "flashes" of the time I had amnesia, but unlike typical Hollywood, the majority of my memory of this time is completely lost to me (and now thats it's been over 30 years since, chances are it never will). By the way, most of my recollections here are based on second hand information from people around me at the time (think about how weird that is to me). I can't imagine how amnesia could ever be something that "slowly develops" in an individual. It's not like you remember half a person's name, or drawing a blank first on one hour of one's life, then two, then three. No, in my experience, it's an all or nothing instantaneous infliction. As is the recovery (partial as it is in my case)...
I forget now, what was I saying (not so subtle satire)? Oh yeah. I was hoping this series was going to be released to DVD, and I got my wish. So many people I know missed this show, and many episodes were never shown twice (in Los Angeles anyway). And, I really couldn't recommend someone start watching it after the first few episodes, now could I? That being said, again not trying to give too much away, there IS a point in the middle where one could jump on board. This is only because it is obvious the producers didn't know if the show would go the full 24 episodes at first and it kind of naturally concludes, tying up most current loose ends, somewhere in the middle. Enough said... :)
Buy this DVD set, and watch the second season of 24!!!
Movie Review: Fabulous and inventive, though overstated
Summary: 5 Stars
You don't need me to tell you what the show was about, how it's organized, etc. In fact, you'd do better to avoid all of the other reviews (and the "product description" above) and know only that it's a sensationalist political/terrorist thriller that purportedly happens in real time. Anything else would be giving away plot devices and twists and turns that would diminish your enjoyment. (I will, though, mention one odd one that I don't see in other reviews: the use of cell phones to continue dialogue and keep characters "in play" while they move from one location to another.)
What you DO need me to tell you is that the "real time" aspect is a stretch you shouldn't get too caught up in. Since I live in LA, and have travelled many of the routes covered in each of these seasons, I can pretty much guarantee that the travel times are often BS. I can also assure you that some of the cell calls (see above) wouldnt happen as they're depicted, because of lousy cell coverage in some of the locations. (Jack's phone may not be a conventional cell phone, but several other characters' are.)
You also may need me to tell you that while Season One was blisteringly exciting and gripping, from the first scene to the last, the other seasons diminished radically in entertainment value. Season two involved several false starts that didn't add much except and episode or two of confusion. Season three includes some absurd side plots that went nowhere fast and then "back to square one" (an overused phrase anywhere, including in this series). I started watching Season Four but, frankly, gave up. The plot connections were growing thin, the character backgrounds had begun to be overplayed, the emphasis on Jack has hero didn't pan out as clearly as the network's obvious need to keep Keifer in the mix - and I wasn't going to risk wasting any more time on episodes that didn't add to the story line.
So, get Season One. Definitely. Maybe even watch in straight through, in 24 hours (taking the 7-minutes-per-half-hour commercial reductions for bathroom breaks, snacks, naps, and/or reflection). Consider watching the second season - and skip the other two unless you're just insanely bored and can't find something better to do with your life - which, one might argue, would be sad. :)
Movie Review: Guess how many episodes there are?
Summary: 5 Stars
The 24 collection is a worthy hobby and is certainly growing to be one of largest of the television series DVD anthologies. There are currently six seasons and season seven is planned for 2009. Each season has 6 discs, with 4 episodes per disc. Each episode covers approximately 1 hour of real-time drama although there are breaks for television advertising time meaning each episode lasts for about 45 min. To date there is approximately 6 days worth of 24 viewing. Each season is the kind of item that requires 1 hour a day of your time for the next 24 days. It has won Emmy and Golden Globe awards. It has already achieved some of highest viewer rates for any television show.
The real-time nature makes it unique along with its split screen type editing where more than one scene can take place at a time. There is also the clock with its ominous digital ticking that seems more like a countdown even though it is moving forward in time.
The discs are held in a cardboard and plastic flip holder. It slides into the slim line box. It is not that easy to remove but this increases the security of the discs. The sound is in 5:1 Dolby Digital and the show is shot in 1.78 : 1.
24 season 1 is mostly about Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) head of CTU (counter-terrorist unit) who suddenly discovers he is made part of an undercover plot to assassinate Presidential candidate Senator David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert). Soon his wife and daughter are caught up in the events. Each episode becomes an edge of your seat thriller with lots of plot twists and character turns.
Overall the show has very high production values although this was one of the early DVD TV releases and so the transfer quality is similar to the birth of DVD. Sometimes the widescreen bars produce fluffy edges. However, overall these minor glitches are forgivable because the story is so captivating although at times the suspension of disbelief is sometimes stretched to the maximum (how many times can someone get kidnapped in one day?). Still you would be hard pressed not to want to see it because overall it is a non-stop rush of action and suspense. Give it a go and see if you want to enjoy some more. The 24 fever is well worth it.
Movie Review: It's just one of those days...
Summary: 5 Stars
Jack Bauer ( Kiefer Sutherland) is having one of those days. He is the agent in charge of the Counter Terroist Unit in Los Angeles. At midnight, Jack gets a call from work saying that there has been a threat on presidential nominee Senator David Palmer's ( Dennis Hayworth) life. He is assigned to come up with a strategy to keep Palmer alive. But this is where the story gets interesting. The terrorists manage to get their hands on his wife Teri (Lesli Hope) and his daughter Kim ( Elisha Cuthbert). The terrorists now have leverage over Jack, and he must find a way to keep the Senator alive without getting his wife and daughter killed. Watch Jack in action as he lives on the edge and plays by his own rules, leaving procedure and protocal far behind..."24" is a brilliant show that offers plenty of action and suspense to keep you hooked from the first show on. The format of the show is one that has never been done before, because it is done in real time. This means that each show consists of one hour of a 24 hour day. In my opinion, Kiefer Sutherland gives the best performance of his career as Jack Bauer. Sutherland's performance is so good, that you literally find yourself rooting for him throughout the entire show. Dennis Hayworth is superb as Senator David Palmer. He is the first African American presidential nominee in history. You not only get to see him worry about his campaign, but deal with his extremely disfunctional family in the process. Leslie Hope and Elisha Cuthbert also did an outstanding job as Jack's family. Their performances are very realistic and you actually come to care about their characters. The rest of the cast includes great actors like Dennis Hopper, Sarah Clarke, Carlos Bernand, Penny Johnson, and Eric Balfour.
"24" has the perfect mix of action, drama, and suspense. The acting is absolutely superb all the way around, and each character has an important part to play that could seriously effect the events of the story. The DVD is definately worth the money. You get to see the show without commercial interruption and with awesome picture and sound quality as well. Definately one of the most original and well made TV shows in quite some time!
Movie Review: A rational mind should know better...
Summary: 5 Stars
A rational mind should know better than to fall for this highly unrealistic show, yet what fun is it to be rational? 24 has so many plot twists there is a temptation to laugh your head off at just how crazy it gets. Disc 5, in particular, makes it hard to suspend your disbelief. Nevertheless, 24 is way too addictive and impossible not to watch. Impossible!
What saves this show from being a joke is the fine acting, impressive cinematography and strong writing. I confess to being particularly drawn to Leslie Hope's acting. I love the way her character evolves from a seemingly distant mother to an incredibly loving one who would do ANYTHING to save her daughter. (At the risk of exaggerating, I have to got to say it is a crime she is not seen more in television and films. She is an outstanding actress!)
So much is going on during the first day of 24 that your heart can barely take the adrenaline rush. Watching 24 on DVD is totally different than watching in on tv and waiting patiently for the following week's episode. With the DVD, you find yourself watching one episode after another at a feverish pace!
24: Season 1 hardly needs another review on Amazon. There really isn't anything I can add to the terrific write-ups already here. By now there are very few people left in the world who don't know the plot and premise. I just couldn't help it, though, I had to get on-line and shout "get this right now!" I am almost sorry I watched it so fast, especially knowing Leslie Hope isn't going to be in future seasons!
For those ready to dismiss 24 as just another high-concept, "trendy cool" program, take heart: there is also Emmy-worthy drama here and a pool of "when is it right to..." questions worthy of ethical debate.
Overall, the Senator Palmer subplot, for me at least, is far stronger and more believable than the Jack/CTU storylines. Even so, no matter how many times Kim and Teri get kidnapped, the mother/daughter relationship they share is emotionally stirring.
I defy you to stop at just one episode!