Rating: 
Summary: Revolutionary Television
Review: When 24 premiered on television, critics claimed that the show would tank-- after all, how can you realistically show something in a real-time format? Wouldn't it be boring? 24 exceeded all expectations last season, including an ending that defies every convention of television for the past 50 years. The show itself is excellent, and the DVD version is fantastic, mostly because it doesn't overwhelm you with silly games and unnecessary features. The show is presented in a straightforward manner (four episodes on six discs), with an alternate ending and a brief director's commentary for the final scene.
Rating:
Summary: Never been more satisfied with this one!
Review: Thumbs up for the creator of 24! Best series ever, cannot wait for its second season. Suspense, thriller, romance, family....
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: What can I say? I've liked many shows over the years but this show by far is my favorite. It was one of the few shows I've ever anticipated each week and counted down the days to the next episode. Plot turns and twists. Surprise ending. Whats not to love. If you haven't seen this you should. Not only is it a show amongst shows. Its better than most movies out there too.
Rating: 
Summary: Parenting, promises, protocol, pistols, and palm pilots
Review: "I promise you," has to be the most uttered phrase in this excrutiatingly tense psycodrama. Dripping with implausibility (people leave their cell phones on even as they are sneaking up behind people with guns who want to kill them), it is made compelling by its powerhouse acting, frequent plot twists, and paranoid visions of families challenged by relentless dark forces. I say "families" (plural) because this drama cleverly interweaves the destinies of several different families, not just the family of key character Jack Bauer (Keifer Sutherland), the head of the CIA's Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit. As the series opens Jack and his wife Teri (Leslie Hope) are trying to mend their troubled marriage when their only child, daughter Kimberly, is kidnapped. For this family, the events of the next 24 hours forces them to reestablish their bonds. Another family drama that unfolds is that of Presidential candidate Senator David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert). Jack's assignment is to protect the Senator and his family from a known assassination plot. As the day unfolds the Senator slowly comes to realize how little he knows the other members of his seemingly "picture perfect" family. And playing off against these two families are the Drazens, the terrorists behind the abductions and assassination attempts...showing, I guess, that villains need love too, and have family bonds as strong as "good" people (but I guess if you also watch The Sopranos, you knew that already). And yet another family is apparent in the mix--Jack's family of coworkers down at CTU headquarters. What we have is a complete smorgasbord of dysfunctional families ricocheting through a single day, clashing and combusting occasionally, but mostly proceeding according to their own perverse logic. Everyone's loyalty is questioned at some point, friends become captors and captors friends. But through it all everyone manages to stay in touch through cell phones and satellite technology. "Patch me through," is the second most uttered phrase. As exciting as the series is, it does have its false moments. I found the frequent I love you's and I'm sorry's a little hard to take. And there's one scene when Senator Palmer manages to break away from his secret security protectors in order to conduct some business. He encounters a couple of vandals in a parking garage, spews a little presidential-timber type jargon at them, and manages to get away without a physical encounter. The scene felt like an out-take from "Stand and Deliver." Oh, and there's the de rigueur amnesia scene in which both the onset and recovery are the result of traumatic emotional shocks. Technology is ubiquitous and glamorous in this story. Gunfire virtually unending. It's tempting to say "Don't anyalyze this story. Just roll with the punches and enjoy the ride." But "24" has a lot to say about human values, the fragility of the family, the false faces we present to the world to achieve our equally false goals, the myth of individuality, and the myth that we lose our individuality when we join forces with others, and the arbitrary nature of risk and choice. Try watching the "24" episodes in quick succession. I promise you, when the ride is over, you'll have plenty to think about.
Rating:
Summary: Best Television in Years!
Review: What can I say that hasn't already been said about this show? In a television universe filled to overflowing with tired cop/doctor/lawyer dramas, "24" is an intense breath oof fresh air. Never before have I been kept on the edge of my seat while watching a television program as I did when I first saw "24." It is intelligent, well-written and beautifully shot, but the format gives it time to develop itself unlike so many of the action movies one might see in the theater.
Rating:
Summary: Best Television in Years!
Review: What can I say that hasn't already been said about this show? In a television universe filled to overflowing with tired cop/doctor/lawyer dramas, "24" is an intense breath of fresh air. Never before have I been kept on the edge of my seat while watching a television program as I did when I first saw "24." It is intelligent, well-written and beautifully shot, but the format gives it time to develop itself unlike so many of the action movies one might see in the theater.
Rating:
Summary: All In A Days Work...
Review: As a television viewer, I tend to watch shows that break all the rules, in terms of plot and execution. Any program that promises to break "New Ground", I am willing to give it a fair shot, I mean after all most shows on T.V. today, have a certain "sameness" to them. How many cop, lawyer, medical shows can their be? 24 has become one of my favorite shows, for the simple fact that for most of its first season, it kept me interested and entertained Its real time aspect was the hook, but the storyline and pulse-pounding weekly cliffhangers, kept me coming back week after week. Special Counter Terrorism Agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) and his team, learn of an assination plot to kill Senator David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) on the day of the California Presidential Primary. Fellow Agent Nina Meyers (Sarah Clarke) tells Jack that their is also a mole within the Counter Terrorism Unit that is working against them. Jack's wife Teri, (Leslie Hope) is out looking for their missing daughter, Kim (Elisha Cuthbert), who snuck out of the house, shortly before Jack got the call to report to work.. Throughout the season Sutherland puts in some amazing work as Bauer, as does Haysbert as Palmer, who has some family problems of his own to deal with, as the day wears on. Of the female cast members, Cuthbert and recurring guest star, Penny Johnson Jerald, as Palmer's wife Sherry get high marks from me. Every hour brings with it at least one surprise. As a whole the idea and story sustain itself very well. Even when some episodes aren't quite as good, as others, the show is STILL better than most stuff on the tube. I am not bothered at all by the serialized aspect of 24. As I said, as long as it stays a quality show, I plan to stick with it. There were a few mis-steps, among the quality stuff. Casting Dennis Hopper and Lou Diamond Phillips in the series as Guest Stars was lopsided at best but can be overlooked. The DVD box set allows you to catch up with all of the first season action of this great show...But the set is not as good as it could (or should) be. In an effort to woo potential viewers for season 2, FOX rushed the set into production, so the set is lacking in some areas *The episodes "Previously On 24" recap segments have been edited out of the set for some reason.
*Kiefer Sutherland's introduction appears on disc 6/ The 2nd season preview promised on the box, offers nothing in terms of footage, just generalities that don't say much/the preview and introduction are one and the same and why put it on the last disc? It's a bit misleading, if you ask me.
*The only real extra (again on the last disc) in the set is an alternate ending to the last hour. All I can say is, the ending that was used, makes for a better conclusion to the first season Thank goodness the producers used the one in the final version instead of the alternate one. The other ending has a commentary option from one of the show's creator's
*There's a booklet included that give a summary of each hour of the day (ho-hum) The show gets a 5 star rating for sure, while the set, gets just 4 Recommended just the same. I have high hopes for season 2...The clock continues to tick...
Rating:
Summary: The excitement never stops in 24
Review: 24 is one of the most innovative shows ever made. The show is put together so well and keeps viewers glued to their seets for each of the 24 hour long episodes.
Rating:
Summary: 24 is awesome
Review: 24 is one of the most interesting and original shows that I have ever seen on TV. It certainly ranks up there with the Sopranos as the best 2 shows on T.V. at this time. The acting very good, the writing for the various plotlines is topnotch and the constant cliffhangers will addict most people that like action drama by the end the of the first episode. I can not praise this show enough and the DVD really brings it to life even more. Since the show plays like one long movie having no commercials at all really moves the story along at an even more breakneck pace. Its really exciting. I often imagine this show on HBO with even less restictions on content and an extra 10+ per episode, but even as it is now 24 is something not to miss
Rating:
Summary: So good, I'm afraid I'll gush.
Review: As most people who watch television know, every show out there has a dud episode that simply exists as filler. But with 24, the case is different. Yes, there is a silly subplot introduced late in the season that's obviously there just to take up some time (let's just say it involves amnesia), but even at its weakest, 24 is still capable of providing more of an adrenaline rush than three summer blockbuster actioners combined. Yes, that's how thrilling this series is, and when you factor in the great characters, complex script, and Stephen Hopkins' surprisingly adept eye at mixing high-octane thrills and touching drama, then you've got yourself an innovative, masterful thriller that follows through on its real-time concept with verve and supreme confidence. For those unfamiliar with 24, the plot revolves around CTU agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland). He's having a little trouble at home around midnight, when he finds that his estranged daughter, Kim (Elisha Cuthbert), has run off for the night. Before he and his wife, Teri (Leslie Hope), can serach for her, he's urgently called to work; it's believed that within the next 24 hours there will be an assassination attempt on Senator David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert), a black presidential candidate who stands a good chance of becoming the next leader of the free world. Plot-wise, that's all you need to know. The joy of the series comes from the unexpected plot twists and the crescendo in suspense as you wonder how Bauer is going to get himself out of this mess he's in. Yeah, there are some minor plot contrivances here and there, but they're hard to notice, and it's only after some extreme nitpicking you're going to notice a few flaws. The central storyline holds together amazingly well and never bogs down in confusion. The script also adds a lot of little nuances in the plot that'll put a smile on your face (watch what Sutherland does in episode 4 when he's desperate to interview a prisoner). In concept, 24 probably sounds easy and gimmicky, but in reality, the show must have been ridiculously hard to pull off. Little details such as traffic light can no longer be ignored. Action must immediately pick up from where it last left off and the filmmakers have to juggle several subplots together without forgetting the constraints in time. And somehow, they pull it off. Not for a moment does the series ever lose momentum or drag in pacing. Not for a second did I ever find myself less than completely engrossed by the converging subplots. And I most certainly never contemplated pressing the fast forward button (I watched 24 on DVD). 24 delivers its share of action sequences. There are shootouts, chases, and cat-and-mouse games, which might sound requisite and perfunctory, but all the action here is tightly choreographed and work in service of the story. Thus, the tension is ratcheted up a few notches during some of the gunfights and chases. The final episode is probably the series' most thrilling segment; capping off with a two-fisted gun battle that actually resonates on a dramatic level and then a shootout between two passing cars, a "money shot" scene if I ever saw one.
An aspect of assassination plots that's always bugged me is that the guy whose life is in danger is usually nothing more than a macguffin to drive the plot forward. 24, thankfully, doesn't fall into this trap. As played superbly by Dennis Haysbert, Palmer is a fully developed flesh-and-blood individual who's ultimately compelling and likeable. The turmoil developing in his campaign an inriguing dimension to his character that a lesser film or series would have ignored. Good as Haysbert is, it's Kiefer Sutherland who steals the show. After years of second-rate roles and glorified supporting performances, Sutherland finally gets back on track, showing why he's one of the most underrated actors around. Simply put, he delivers the best performance of his career, creating the perfect balance between tough action hero and everday family man. Leslie Hope is equally as good as his wife, Teri, carrying a Lion's share of the series' emotional baggage and pulling it off without a hitch. It's a pity she didn't get a nomination or two for her terrific work. The rest of the cast is quite good, though Elisha Cuthbert has gotten some criticism here and there. It's not a bad performance, but admittedly, she's least convincing when she shouts. 24 ends on a surprisingly powerful note, a dramatic punch of a final scene that transcends this series from great entertainment to the realm of cinematic masterpiece (okay, no complaining, I realize this is still TV). Just ask yourself if any of the other networks would have had the guts to end it the way they did. Kudos to the series creators and Fox for delivering such a memorable conclusion. The main story arcs are resolved, but everyone has a price to pay. 24 is, without a doubt, the best show on television today and I absolutely cannot wait for season two.
|
