24: Season Three
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Movie Reviews of 24: Season Three
Movie Review: The Best Season to Date
Summary: 5 Stars
Season 3 of suspense thriller 24 served up the most suspenseful and most emotional season of the show to date.
Set three years after season 2, Jack Bauer (Keifer Sutherland) is working with a partner named Chase (James Badge Dale). Jack's daughter Kim (Elisha Cuthbert) is also working for the LA branch of CTU (Counter Terrorism Unit). President Palmer (Dennis Haysbert), meanwhile, is running for reelection.
This particular bad day starts at 1 PM, when Jack learns of plan to release a virus unless a criminal he just spent six months trying to arrest is freed. This leads to a chain reaction of events trying to get a hold of the virus before it is released into the population which includes hunting down drug dealers, a prison riot, a trip to Mexico, and time in a high rise hotel. The terrorists seem to be one step ahead of Jack and CTU the entire time.
President Palmer, meanwhile, is facing tough rumors again, this time targeting his doctor and new girlfriend. But that's nothing compared to what happens when his main backer demands that Palmer fire his chief of staff, who also happens to be his brother (D. B. Woodside).
To me this is the best season to date. The first few hours are a bit scattered, but things come into focus much earlier then previous seasons and once the story gets going, it stays strong. While there are still a couple soap opera plots, they are kept to a minimum this year. The biggest improvement is Kim's storyline. Since she's working at CTU, we don't get any crazy storylines with her, but things that actually move forward the main story. And the second half of the season gets really intense. The early morning hours especially are emotionally hard to get through. But the episodes where things don't work out are what make this show so wonderful.
Fox again has released a wonderful season set for the show. All 24 episodes are presented on six discs in wide screen and surround sound audio. There are a total of 45 deleted scenes scattered over the six discs and each disc has one audio commentary from various members of the cast and crew. The seventh disc in this set is devoted solely to extras. The 45 deleted scenes are collected in one place, this time with optional commentary by the producers. In edition, there are special features on the gadgets of the show and the reality of a biothreat. Finally, there are a couple teasers and mini-scenes that bridge the gap betweens season 3 and 4.
While I am addicted to several serialized shows, this is by far the most addictive of the lot. Plan plenty of time to watch this season because once you start, you won't want to stop.
Movie Review: A Slow Start, but a Great Season!
Summary: 5 Stars
Seasons one and two of 24 began with a bang, and you were hooked from the start. Season 3, while a great season, does not manage to hook you from the first episode. Sure, there is an interesting surprise about Jack's activities over the past year at the end of the first episode, but overall something seems missing.
Fear not. This is 24. And good things come to those who wait.
Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is back at CTU, now head of field operations. It's been roughly three years since terrorists attempted to detonate a nuclear bomb on US soil, and Jack has spent the last year undercover with a group of drug dealing brothers- the Salazars. Jack has managed to take one of them, Ramon Salazar, to prison but it soon becomes apparent that Hector Salazar might have some leverage that could lead to his brother's release- a deadly virus that he could release upon Los Angeles.
Jack and partner Chase Edmunds (James Badge Dale) soon find themselves caught up in a struggle to stop the release of this virus. Also returning to the fold are CTU director Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard) and his now-wife Michelle Dessler (Reiko Aylesworth). Jack's daughter Kim (Elisha Cuthbert) has spent the last few years finding ways to make herself less useless and is now employed at CTU under Tony and Michelle. Meanwhile, President David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) faces his own troubles when it appears his opponent in the Presidential race has dirt on his new girlfriend.
While this may seem like a lot of spoilers, I assure you, this is nothing. Anyone who has seen Seasons One and Two of 24 (and if you haven't, I suggest you start with those as this is a series meant to be viewed from the start) knows that 24 is a series jam-packed with action and the plot will take many twists and turns.
Kim is still annoying in this season, but at least she is annoying in a less distracting capacity as she is directly involved in the main plot of the season this time around. The initial story involving President Palmer is not nearly as interesting as last season's conspiracy against him but that story will pick up considerably, especially when Sherry Palmer (Penny Johnson Jerald) returns midseason. Also returning is 24's other favorite villainess Nina Myers (Sarah Clarke). Also, I feel it necessary to inform you: this season has no amnesia, and no cougar. You can all sigh in relief now.
The DVD also has great bonus features. In fact, there's an extra disc worth of features. Most notable is a brief prelude to season 4's events that you can't see anywhere else.
Movie Review: The Clock Is Ticking Again . . . . This Time For Real
Summary: 5 Stars
The following takes place over a period of twenty-four hours on the day of the California Presidential Debates.
A dead body infected with a type three pneumonic virus is dropped at Health Services in downtown Las Angeles in order to draw CTU's attention to the existence of a drug dealer and his ties to terrorist sales. He's demanding the release of his brother from a federal prison, who was put there by none other than the notorious Jack Bauer. Only what Jack did in order to capture the prisoner is beyond what anyone could have foreseen and has left him in haunted by his not so far past. If the dealer's demand is not met in five hours, he will release a biologically enhanced version of the type three pneumonic virus in Las Angeles that will kill the infected within twenty-four hours.
An all-star cast returns in this season of the award winning for best drama awarded by the Golden Globes. Kiefer Sutherland assumes the role of co-executive producer and once again gives a break through performance. Other guest stars include actors and actresses from the films and television shows; the remake of Lord of the Flies, Desperado, Air Force One, Rush Hour, Bring It On, Hollywood Homicide, Alias, Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The OC, and ER. A new musical score was written along with an amazing story line and plot. Twists and turns are placed in perfect spots within the story and lead you on a thrill ride. In relationship to the first and best season of the drama, season three comes as an exciting runner up to being the best season of the show. Fans will not be disappointed for this season follows a very close structure of the first; a shoot out in the second episode, a large gun and vehicle fight at the season's half way mark, and of course two hours that could have completely left out. Those two hours are the last ones of the season, but interesting because they tie up loose ends that were never dealt with before in previous seasons. Sarah Clarke, and Penny Johnson Jerald return as the drama's most notorious villains, but to a great disappointment; the assassin Mandy does not even make a five minute appearance. This season is worthy of the title 24, and hopefully so will the next. It better be for the extra three month wait for just its premiere.
Movie Review: Wild Thrill Ride's Most Twisted Season
Summary: 5 Stars
24, arguably the best show currently on television, has incredibly managed to be stunningly good four seasons in a row. The series' third season is usually considered to be the weakest, but still possesses the the series staples of blistering action, riveting characters, and stunning twists, while maintaining a unique flavor all its own.
The season starts with Jack Bauer (the amazing Kiefer Sutherland) working for the government again, about to work out a deal with a vicious drug lord that he helped put in jail. The drug lord's equally vicious brother, however, obtains a deadly virus that he threatens to release unless his demands are met. As always, it falls on Jack and his fellow counter-terrorist agents to save the country from disaster.
Season one's strength was intensity, season two's was action, and season three's is plot. We are quickly introduced to several new characters, such as Jack's young but ruthless new partner, and Chloe, the giddily annoying computer analyst. Old favorites have had new developments; Tony and Michelle are now married and in charge of CTU, and President Palmer is still alive, though at times not so well. Most notably, Jack's daughter Kim now works for CTU, and luckily stays clear of her previous crazy misadventures.
It isn't long before the plot goes in unexpected directions, important characters die in sudden and terrible ways, and all races up to a shocking climax in a terrifying place. Season three contains what is easily the biggest twist in the series, and certainly one of the most wince inducing moments towards the end. Fans of the hard edge that easily tops anything else on TV won't be disappointed.
Season three isn't without its flaws. Certain plot lines get dropped a bit too easily, and wrapping your mind around a few of the decisions made is like working an advanced calculus equasion without a calculator. However, even if it is the weakest season of the series, it is still light years ahead of 99% of the rest of shows ever put on TV. It isn't a good place for 24 fans that are just starting out, but for those who have already spent a day or two with Jack Bauer, you can't go wrong with this set.
Movie Review: Sluggish start with a rip snorting ending
Summary: 5 Stars
Season three definitely got off to a slow start. At one point , episode three, I even considered not finishing it, and just about the time I was ready to quit watching, it began to take hold. I hung on until episode five and it took off.
This season evolves around a flu-like virus attack. Jack and company have only a few hours to head off the spread of a disease that will decimate America, and possibly the world. The plot takes awhile to gel, but eventually prevails.
Two new characters are introduced, Chloe and Chase. Chloe is a computer specialist and has an extremely irritating personality. Chase is Kim Bauer's boyfriend and Jack Bauer's partner. Chase is young, dumb, and makes stupid mistakes, just like his girlfriend. The combination of Kim, Chloe, and Chase are almost too much, and they cause the plot to creep along. One of the problems I had watching these three characters was how could they be so stupid and be working for such an important government agency. After all, it is about believability. Shades of Bush, I guess.
President Palmer returns, as does his ex-wife, unfortunately. She is tiring, and it is even more tiring having to watch Palmer have to deal with her. She gets her much needed due at the end of the season. Unfortunately, President Palmer's unflagging credibility suffers in the process.
While this season does get off to a slow start, the final six or seven episodes are simply over the top exciting. The last two episodes will have you on the edge of your seat, and viewers will have a great opportunity to see how ruthless Jack Bauer is. The climax is riveting, and the accompanying music is perfect. Whoever orchestrated the music when Jack swings the axe really put some great thought into it. It's fantastic.
While I was not as satisfied with this season as the second, I was very pleased with it. The soap opera sub-plots get very tiring, but I guess it's just part of the price. (We must keep the women viewers viewing, after all.) I was very sad to see Tony Almeida make his exit; he's a great character to work in opposition to Jack Bauer. This is great television.