Rating: 
Summary: I'm Hooked
Review: Two weeks ago I went into a large electronics store and they were giving away a free DVD with the first 2 episodes of 24 season 2 as a promotion for the boxed set being released. I had never watched the show, but it seemed really interesting to me. One night I threw in the free DVD and watched the 2 episodes. From that point on I was hooked.A couple days later I was home from work sick and I asked my wife to pick up the entire season 2 box set. By the time I felt better and went back to work I had watched the whole thing. I now wonder if I could of watched it on TV having to wait a whole week between episodes. All in all the entire season was excellent. My only complaint would be the story line with Jack Bauer's daughter, Kim Bauer. About half-way through the season I found her storyline to be so unbeleivable that I didn't really care what happened with her. However the other story lines were so good it didn't really matter. If you are a fan of the show, you don't need this review. If you have never seen the show and are thinking about purchasing it - do it! I highly doubt you will be disappointed. -Mike from Dayton
Rating:
Summary: INCREDIBLE! 10 STARS!
Review: The producers did an awesome job on this box set!! I didn't think the 1st season of this show could be topped. Then I saw season 2! It involves Jack Bauer tracking a nuclear bomb set to detonate in L.A., & the people responsible. I won't give anything away, but it has more shocks, twists & surprises than are possible to count! In fact, at the end of one hour, something happens that is taboo, & wouldn't be thought possible.
Now for the details on the D.V.D.: This is much better done than season one. For one thing, unlike the first set, the "previously on 24" retrospectives that start the episode are included. With so much going on, they give you updates on each individual main charecter. They also count against the clock that's running. Better than that, though, there are one or several deleted &/or extended scenes per episode. You see a small "24" inside a box pop up where these scenes would have taken place. Press the select/play button on your remote, & the scenes run. So, to sum things up, wether you're a die hard fan, you missed season 2, or you just want to refresh your memory before season 3 starts on 10/28, BUY THIS!!!! YOU'LL GET EVERY PENNY'S WORTH, PLUS ENOUGH LEFT OVER TO MAKE THIS THE BARGAIN OF THE MILLENIUM!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Wow! Suspense at a good price. Topic is right on today!
Review: I got my freebie intro disc at Best Buy for the first 2 episodes. I did not load them for about 2 months. Big mistake: This second season rocks and hooked me so bad that I had to watch 4 episodes at a time. Naturally, I thought this would be another soapy action series. The writing is so good that lots of fluff is eliminated and you are treated to a cerebral adventure. This show hits the right topic at the right time. Terrorists could place a nuclear device in a major US city. I won't rehash the plots as you can get them off the 24 hour site. But I would say that each turn that you think is leading one way...turns into another unexpected direction. The DVD is superb in sound as bullets on my state of the art 6.1 Dolby seem to be coming fromn the left and from behind me. Great sound! I wonder if I can get the same sound from my TV. If not, another vote for buying the DVD. Also, I work long hours and thus this raises a question: why bother to record or watch each week, when the convenience of the DVD makes viewing more enjoyable and practical. Thus, should I watch the third season or just buy the DVD? I will buy the DVD as I would hate to miss even one episode. There are few time wasters such as stupid car chase scenes, long dying dialogs, or love story complications. Yes, there is some romance, but thank God the writers don't waste time with 'getting to know you", useless bedroom scenes, shower scenes, crying "I love you scenes". Yes, this is at a minimal. This is not the show for such stuff, versus cable TV. This is for serious adventure/action enthusiasts. Final comment: the president is so good in this show that one wonders where they found him. Anyway, you won't be dissappointed. My only worry is that if I buy the DVD does that hurt the show versus viewing it on the Nielson ratings. I love you guys, hope you make money off my $50 purchase.
Rating:
Summary: The Jack Bauer Power Hour Returns...
Review: 24. The groundbreaking television series that made Kiefer Sutherland one of television's most memorable heroes in recent memory. The writers clearly struggled to make it through Day 1, so could they make it through a full 24 harrowing hours and keep things as tense and thrilling as in Day 1?
The answer, thankfully, is yes. This season improves many areas of the show, while, unfortunately, losing some ground on others. For starters, the DVD is insanely better than season 1's. This one has CHAPTERS (thank heavens) to make watching the episodes easier. The picture and audio are clearer, there are commentaries (one per disc - 6 discs), and there is a special extra features disc featuring some interesting documentaries. Jack, one of TV's coolest characters, is back and better than ever. He has a classic moment at the end of the first episode to remind us why we love him so. Kim too is back, still reeling from the loss of her mother. But whereas she was a pivotal figure in season 1's story, she really has no place here, and it shows. Kim's sordid tale alone is enough to rate this season lower than the first. She does have a few saving graces - all conversations with daddy Jack (which are few and far between, but very good). CTU members Tony Almeida and George Mason are back. Tony's given a little more to do here and is sans his oh-so-memorable soul patch. And Mason, one of the best characters in 24 history, is given a more principal role as acting director of CTU. Mason is one of the few characters in 24 to EVER crack a joke and have a sense of humor. Palmer too returns, now as President of the US. Palmer's story is a lot of just recapping what's going on, but he does have quite a tangled web of traitorousness to unravel before him, and he makes quite a few surprising moves. Palmer doesn't have the intensity he had in Day 1, but he's lost none of his wisdom and intelligence. He does make a somewhat...erm, not too wise decision that he follows throughout the final 11 or so hours, but if that's what it takes to keep the story going, so be it. The story is a bit larger and more topical than season 1's more personal and small story. Each side have their pro's and cons and I suppose they balance each other out well. The story's evolution leads to some truly amazing moments and fantastic cliffhangers. The double-crosses are innumerable and a few of season 1's more devious characters make very memorable returns (one in the last THREE minutes of the day). Overall, this season is not quite as solid as the first. The villains aren't as villainous, their motives aren't as powerful, and their schemes are less realistic. There are some plotlines that just won't die (Kim, Carrie, etc.). But despite all these flaws, there's always Jack Bauer to keep us glued to the screen. It's still better than anything else on TV.
Rating:
Summary: Day Two: Countdown to Destruction
Review: ...And the countdown is on! One of the compelling themes that runs through 24 is the idea that someone, somewhere, is always running out of time. That's a notion that we can all identify with on many levels. Throw in a nuclear bomb scheduled to be detonated somewhere in Los Angeles, a group of renegade terrorists who control the bomb and a retired agent with a tragic past, and you've got a recipe for suspense, action and the unexpected. The major strength of 24 has always been its ability to be twisted and unpredictable. Although some of the surprises aren't as shocking as those in the first season of the show, there are more than enough to ratchet up the tension in this drama until the viewer's nerves become taught with anticipation. Kiefer Sutherland proved himself a top-notch actor in the first season of this unique series and he returns as Federal Agent Jack Bauer. Bauer is a man haunted by his own demons; the tragic death of his wife and the estrangement of his daughter Kim. The last thing he wants to do is help his old friends at CTU with another mission. But he can't bring himself to say no to President David Palmer when he is asked to help hunt down a nuclear bomb somewhere in L.A. Jack is dragged into the middle of it all and finds himself working undercover with a McVeigh-like group of domestic terrorists, a path that will ultimately lead him to a forced alliance with his arch nemesis, Nina Myers (Sarah Clark), the traitor who killed Jack's wife in the explosive finale of season one. The scenes between jack and Nina are probably the most electrifying and intense during the course of the day. Once they worked as partners and lovers, and now they must track down the bomb with an ever-present sense of murderous ferocity between them. Meanwhile, Palmer (Dennis Haysbert), must deal with a conspiracy within his own administration, lead by those who seek to remove him from power any way they can. Things become more complicated when Palmer's duplicitous ex wife, Sherry (Penny Johnson Jerald), arrives on the scene claiming to have information that will help the President during this crisis. Other familiar faces return from the first season, including the rye Tony Almeda (Carlos Bernard), the loyal Mike Novick (Jude Ciccolella) and the apathetic George Mason (Xander Berkeley). Mason was a minor character during the previous season, but his role in this day's events becomes important as he is forced to face his own destiny. We also meet a young lady who is about to marry a Middle Eastern businessman who may or not be a terrorist. The weakest plot thread throughout Day Two involves Kim Bauer (Elisha Cuthbert). Many fans found her exploits annoying during the first season when she was more central to the story, but during this day of building terror, she seems to serve as little more than filler as she tries to help a little girl flea Los Angeles and her abusive father. The purpose of the writers seems to be to put Kim in every conceivable terrifying scenario, from a hostage situation in a convenience store to an unexpected encounter in the woods with a cougar. Still, while they are irritating, the Kim story line doesn't detract from the excellent suspense of the other major plots as Jack hunts down the nuclear bomb and tries to prevent a war from being waged by the U.S. in the Middle East. The real-time format in which each episode represents one hour in this day-long period may create implausibility at times, but its easy to forgive the writers when the tension is razor sharp. The extras in this DVD package are superb and are far superior to the meager offerings of the Season One set. We are given 44 deleted scenes that can be branched into the shows, episode commentary from all major stars and producers and three behind-the-scenes documentaries that take up an entire bonus disk. The picture quality is excellent and the sound is in clear Dolby 5.1 dynamics. Many fans have compared the two seasons and there seems to be a split decision as to which one is better. While I personally lean a bit more toward season one as the better story offering, both seasons are excellent and I encourage every viewer to check out both packages and decide for yourself. Whether you prefer season one or two, you won't be disappointed with either. It is well worth the money you would invest to own the box set. Once you start watching, you won't be able to stop. Like the previous season, 24 is one hell of a wild ride from start to finish.
Rating:
Summary: Day Runner
Review: The second season of the real time action series, 24, continued to surprise and delight, with it's epic storyline. As the "next" day begins, 18 months have passed...Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is still mourning the death of his wife. He no longer works for The Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and is estranged from his daughter Kim (Elisha Cuthbert). David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) has been elected President and is divorced from his wife Sherry (Penny Johnson Jerald). U.S. Intellegence learns that terrorists are planning to detonate a nuclear bomb within the next 24 hours in Los Angeles. The President contacts CTU chief, George Mason (Xander Berkeley), and asks him to put Bauer on the case. At first, Jack is reluctant, but agrees, once the full scope of the situation is determined. As the investigation begins, Jack discovers that someone out of the past, may hold the key to finding the bomb The strength of 24 doesn't lie with its "real time" hook. Instead, it has to do with its strong cast, multi-layered storylines and cinema style action. As intense as actor Kiefer Sutherland made Jack last season, he manages to out do himself in season 2. He plays Bauer like a hero--but a human hero. Haysbert is great as Palmer, who also is a strong presence, and makes a fine Commander in Chief. The writer's found believable ways to bring Nina Myers (Sarah Clarke) and Sherry back. Throwing these two ladies into the mix was genius. Another fine, yet risky move, was using Middle Eastern terrorists as a plot point. This allows for a story that is timely. The folks behind 24 rarely make a mistake. And when they do, it's never that major a blunder. The only problems I had in year two--Some of the character arc for Kim seemed a bit out there and very cliched. Here's hoping that the days of her being stalked by wild animals and psychos are over. I also could have done without the casting of actor Kevin Dillon, as someone who befriends Kim, thanks though, to the rest of cast, I can forgive that faux paux. Michelle Forbes, Sarah Wynter, Harris Yullin, Jude Ciccolella, Carlos Bernard, and Reiko Aylesworth, among others, create quite a tapetsry of memorable characters for the year 2 storyline. The seven disc DVD box set includes the complete season, and after being let down by the extras for the first season DVD's, I can gladly say the extras here are much better this time out. Six episodes have solid audio commentary tracks. Most of the main cast can be heard, as can series creators Joel Surnow, Robert Cochran; drector of 10 hours, Jon Cassar; and co Executive Producer Howard Gordon. Each of the first six dics also has a handfull of deleted/alternate scenes. The 7th disc includes 3 cool featurettes: "On the Button: The Destruction of CTU," "Making of an Episode: Production," "Making of an Episode: Post-Production", a couple of multi-angle scene studies, all 44 deleted scenes are presented again, this time they can be viewed with optional commentary from Cassar, fellow episode director Rodney Charters and Gordon. The show is presented in widescreen and rounding it all out is a synopsis booklet of year two. With another thrilling "day" now history, and more to come, 24 continues to be "must see" TV If you are not watching the show...what are you waiting for? Now's the time...If you are a loyal viewer, the set is a must have. The clock contnues to tick...
Rating:
Summary: It Just Keeps Getting Better & Better!!!!
Review: Executive-produced by its star, Kiefer Sutherland (who has made one of the most remarkable comebacks for an actor in recent history), "24" took a unique and innovative idea---film an entire day, hour by hour, over an entire season---and, instead of using it as a gimmick, let it be the starting pad for one of the most suspenseful, interesting, exciting, disturbing, engrossing and best dramatic series in TV history. This show has never let up from the beginning, and has only become more riveting ever since. In Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) Agent Jack Bauer, Kiefer Sutherland has created a truly complex hero, and has deservingly revived his once-promising career that had been sagging for over a decade. The first season, which I got on DVD last year, concerned a double-whammy threat: An assassination plot against Presidential candidate Senator David Palmer (played nobly by veteran African-American actor Dennis Haysbert) and the kidnapping of Jack Bauer's daughter Kim (Elisha Cuthbert) and, eventually his wife Teri (Leslie Hope). Along the way, subplots are interwoven cleanly into the proceedings, such as Sen. Palmer's ambitious, scheming Lady MacBeth of a wife Sherry (Penny Johnson Jerald) and Jack Bauer's enigmatic colleague, and former lover, Agent Nina Myers (Sarah Clarke). The entire first season was a high-caliber rollercoaster ride all the way to its shocking and completely unpredictable conclusion. Season Two promised a no-less-intense rollercoaster ride as it concerned the threat of a nuclear bomb about to be set off in Los Angeles. Beginning 18 months after the events of the previous season's day, a much-embittered Jack Bauer is called upon by President David Palmer to help save the day. At the same time, Jack is highly concerned about keeping Kim out of the potential blast area. Unfortunately, it won't be easy for her as she is a live-in nanny to the young daughter of an abusive father. Also at the same time, a rich business owner named Bob Warner is about to marry off his younger daughter Marie to his trusted employee, a young British-raised Arab-American man named Reza, whom is suspected of being involved with terrorists by Bob's elder daughter, Kate Warner (Sarah Wynter). All of these plot threads come together, in ways that are completely surprising, exciting, suspenseful and spellbinding. Bottom line: If you loved Season One of "24" then you're gonna LOVE Season Two. It rocks!! MOST RECOMMENDED
Rating: 
Summary: Stars Great But Loses Momentum
Review: I watched the two episode promo that came with another DVD and was instantly hooked. The problem is, the momentum in those first few episodes quickly petered out. Another problem is the story becomes increasingly shoddy and political (evil corporations are the real enemy). I was waiting for Jack Bauer to squeal "no blood for oil." I guess I usually like a rollercoaster ride and lots of twists, but the problem is these twists just don't suprise--all the usual suspects are lined up, leaving one cold, bored, and disappointed. So, while not utterly predictable in the usual sense, the last half of the series just doesn't take us anywhere surprising. The action and acting of the most of the cast sustain this series to its end, however. The strengths carry a weak story in the last half of the season. While the story may take a turn for the worse, the series still entertains. Acting, with the exception of President Palmer, is above average. Action is very good for a TV drama. Overall Recommendation: Recommended for fans of action-thriller-spy-adventure TV. Well done, despite its flaws.
Rating:
Summary: Great Season, Great DVD SET
Review: Season 2 of "24" takes place right where season one left off. Dealing with the tragic death of his wife, Jack Bauer is
know confronted with more terrible news that sets up another plot for a 24 hour race against the clock. Unlike in its
debut season, the story line for the second year doesn't take a long progress. Its action is seen immediately and its
impact is dominate. Alarmed that Los Angeles is under a terrorist's threat, Bauer is now assigned the mission to
stop a nuclear bomb planted in the city of angels. Season 2 follows the same formula that made its debut season worthy of viewing. The characters are intact and even showcase symptoms of true heroism. Sarah Wynter's addition to the cast was magnificent. Her portrayal of Kate Warner displayed the depth with tolerance of being both a proud daughter and a sister to a deranged lunatic. Elisha Cuthbert's, "Kim Bauer" once again proved failure got the best of her in real time. It's funny though, I can't think of anyone who could characterize her any better then Cuthbert. She really strikes a chord with her dispositions. Season 2 of "24" does lack emotional profundity that made the first season so unique. However, honoring the whole concept of the show makes its immense strength greater. "24" is at its premium best when the intense action overthrows the indulgent family disputes that the first season strongly exhibited. It's also extraordinary to note that the writers never fail to deliver its charge of rapid resistance and vital suspense. The season 2 box set is filled heavily. What's so great about this set, is its use to trace certain deleted scenes from
each episode and place them into the scene it was originally taken out of. The box set also includes several commentaries and plenty of behind the scenes footage. Season 2 isn't the definitive season to date but sure implies hours or nonstop viewing. Lets just hope that this show can still deliver for seasons to come.
Rating:
Summary: Good, yes: but better than season one? You're on drugs...
Review: Season two was indeed enjoyable. It was well-paced, with lots of twists and turns, some surprises and some good acting. Jack Bauer is even cooler, an emotionally wrecked, quasi-suicidal bad-ass terrorist-thumpin' secret agent man. Sutherland's performance is beyond reproach (although in the featurettes he seems like a soft-spoken girlie-man, the sort of guy who, when you reach out for a handshake, would hand you a wet fish). The character is much deeper this season, shattered by the events of season one. BUT... (spoilers ahead) The plot points and suppositions at times verge on the ludicrous, straining credulity even for an avid admirer like myself. Having just been privy to two CNN wars (as we all have here in the U.S.) the notion that Palmer's waiting for a few more hours before launching a military response would cause a mutiny within his administration struck me as completely ridiculous. Yet it was a pivotal plot point. That the whole cabinet would go along with deposing the president in a time of unparalleled national crisis came off as pure fantasy. Even Bush waited, what, a month before pummelling Afghanistan with Tomahawks? And Palmer was, if memory serves, a Democrat... The first season was immeasurably better. I pride myself on being able to call out plot points before they happen (much to the delight of my fellow movie-goers) and I was completely taken aback by the death of Jack's wife the first time around. Granted, it's difficult to pull the same trick twice- the audience is expecting a curveball at the end- but I think they could have come up with something better than that femme fatale's lethal handshake. C'mon... And what did this gain the bad guys anyway, killing Palmer? Unless they had the VP in their pocket, which they apparently didn't. Why bother? The war was already prevented. Revenge? It leaves a loose end, perhaps one that was tied up later, in season three, which hasn't been released. By contrast, in season one I was left with a great appreciation at the end, plus a revelation: you really CAN'T predict what's going to happen on this show. All you know is that Jack's in for a helluva day. Not so with season two, which seemed like the sort of storyline soap opera writers come up with twenty years after they've jumped the shark. I was waiting for Jack's evil twin brother to pop by for tea... And Mrs. Palmer was involved with bringing a nuclear device onto U.S. soil just to get back at her husband? Bwaaa haa haaa! Stop it, Kiefer, yer killin' me. Yes, it's well-made and well-acted enough to make it worth your while, even worth your money. I would disagree with another reviewer's take that the Palmer character was played badly. The actor was absolutely presidential, not so easy for a black guy who has few historical characters to emulate. He did well. And concept-wise there's really no other series like this (although it's almost a direct rip-off of "Nick of Time" starring Johnny Depp), and it's amazing how closely. although not flawlessly. they keep to the 24-hour clock. The dirty, handheld camerawork is fantastic, giving a sense of intimacy and of distance, each in turn. You're the insider, then the voyeur. So even with season two I was riveted. It's very good. But it's a far, far cry from season one, which was hands-down great.
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