Rating: 
Summary: "24" IS A BRAND-NEW FORM
Review: "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.
Rating:
Summary: Best Show On TV
Review: 24 is one of the best shows on TV. It is very suspenceful and highly addictive. Anyone who loves drama and action would love 24.
Rating:
Summary: PHENOMENAL
Review: There is much to say of this show but suffice to say it is PHENOMENAL. I had disregarded it when it aired on TV and begrudgingly watched it when my wife rented it. This is by far the most action packed,suspense filled,unpredictable TV show to have ever hit the airwaves. I am incredibly impressed with how this show and concept was carried out and the depth and diversity of the main characters. We at times watched 8 episodes in a day staying up to 3AM to see what would happen next.
By the way i believe DVD is the only way to see this. No waiting No commercials-- INSTANT GRATIFICATION the only way to have it!
If you have not seen this show you are in for the biggest treat of cinematic drama you have ever seen. This is a keeper the acting is all realistic and raw and you will not expect the next left hook this show will throw at you. Even if i was directorally manipulated it was worth it for the adventure this 24hr show gave us BRAVO and my hat's off to all who are involved in making this piece of cinematic history!
Rating:
Summary: What a great show!!!
Review: 24 is one of my favorite shows of all time! The story is really exciting and it always keeps you on the edge. Each week I would wait for the next episode. 24 rules! Vive la resistance!
Rating:
Summary: off the hook
Review: if you liked watching this show while it was on tv, you'll love being able to watch episode after episode, without commercials and without the need to wait a cringing week to see what happens next. when i first got the set i watched six episodes non-stop, and would probably have gone further but for work early next morning. it's definitely worth the forty-fifty bucks that you'll pay for it, and if you're a fan, it's a must have.
Rating:
Summary: 24 Season DVD
Review: 24 Season One, probably the best new show to hit television in fall 2001, is now on a 6-disc DVD set. This features all 24 episodes, an introduction by Kiefer Sutherland, plus an alternate ending with and without commentary. This wold have to be my favorite show of last season. Imagine non-stop 24 with no commercials. Now it's possible. If you like drama, you'll love 24.
Rating:
Summary: the best show ive seen
Review: At first, I thought this show was stupid. I had never seen it, but friend said it had bad acting. Plus, it was on the same time as smallville, so I didnt watch it. But on a saterday, I was flipping through the channels and saw a 24 marathon. It was confusing, but it was awsome. I was wishing I had watched it before. then I saw an add for the dvds. the next day I had it, and it was awsome. I went crazy over the suspence from just changing the dvds. Now I watch the second season and tape smallville. :)
Rating:
Summary: An Awesome Show worth owning on DVD
Review: I tend to think that television shows on DVD would be reserved for "cult" classics, like Star Trek or X-Files. This release shows that ANY show could be released WELL on DVD. 24 is one of those special shows that was an amazing concept and demanded viewer participation. If you missed an episode, it was very hard to keep up. The product of watching 24 episodes spread out over a longer time period hurt the show quite a bit. But watching the episodes back-to-back in this DVD set, the sense of continuity shone through. The DVD extras are lacking, but the episodes have solid video and audio quality. Hopefully more extras will be included in "Day 2". Worth giving a spin...
Rating:
Summary: Caution: highly addictive
Review: I must have been living under a rock last year, as I managed to miss the entire first season without even hearing of the show. Even after finding the show, my wife and I made it through 2 or 3 episodes before realizing that we were watching Season 2 rather than 1. By then we were hooked, so buying this set was a no-brainer. We figured we could just let a few season 2 episodes pile up on our PVR unwatched, while we waded through Season 1 episodes at our own pace. Wrong! In a series of "OK, but we're only watching *one* more" self-delusions, we ended up blowing through half the season in a single day and polishing off the rest over the next four. So here's my challenge to anyone who hasn't already seen the first season: betcha can't watch just one.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best new shows on t.v.
Review: 24 is my favorite show since the x-files.
Keifer Sutherland is one of my favorite actors
and this show is intense.This show is an edge of
your seat show from the beginning to the end of each
episode with alot of twists.There are alot of great
new actors on here that I think will be very successful
in the future.If you haven't seen 24 yet,you are
missing out.It's got action,drama,suspense,romance
and so much more.I own the DVD and it's incredible.
No commercials on it and you can watch any episode
you want.The first season of 24 is awesome,the 2nd
season is now under way and it's getting intense
already.Buy this DVD now!!
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