Studio: 20th Century Fox Genre: Thriller •
Action •
Adventure •
Drama Street Date: November 25, 2008 Director: Jon Cassar Number of Discs: 1 MPAA Rating: Unrated Cast: Robert Carlyle, Cherry Jones, Kiefer Sutherland, Jon Voight, Gil Bellows Running Time: 88 minutes Format: DVD Specs: Video: Widescreen 1.78:1 Color
Audio: ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French Special Features: The 24: Redemption DVD is highlighted with an exclusive “Creator’s Cut” of the film featuring over ten minutes of never-before-seen footage not shown in the television broadcast, plus additional bonus features including cast/crew commentary, a behind-the-scenes on-location documentary, an exclusive sneak peek at Season 7 including the first 16 minutes of the premiere episode and more! Version: Standard Store Exclusives: I Wish Review: Hello My Name Is Mikey And I'm A Bauer-Addict
From the start I have been along for the ride with Jack Bauer, it's hard not to get hooked into this high drama clock running explosive show dammit! From the first outing Jack has become that go to guy who can examine any situation for a split second and then make some insane choice that lets face it you couldn’t see and one that also probably doesn’t always make any sense right off the bat. Which is the real hook of the show…some shit goes off the hook and Jack pops in and does something so far off the wall you have to stick around to make sense of it.
Now over the years 24 has had it’s moments where you just roll your eyes and realize that some writer is fucking with you while you wait for the real tension to kick in again, but it goes with the territory and I’ve always started up each season wondering with giddy anticipation what silly thing will partially derail things. Maybe I’m a glutton but these little hiccups don’t bother me at all they make me laugh and enjoy it all the more.
The show has been going full tilt boogie since it started, churning out seasons faster and faster but when the writers strike hit they made the better choice to shut down and wait it out rather than not be able to give us the full season or make us wait for what could have been a REALLY long time to continue the story. Instead they are giving us a sample of what’s to come in a 2 hour TV movie. Yes it’s still in real time and yes it still kicks ass.
When I popped this one in I wasn’t sure what to expect; at last seasons end Jack had once again made a get away from all sides who were looking to put him back in the box even though he’d just saved the day (again). Seems Jack hasn’t been so off the radar, he’s been nomadic to be sure but not enough to avoid being served a subpoena…which makes me wonder if we shouldn’t send process servers after Bin Laden. Anywho Bauer has been working as a missionary in Africa (well at least we know Sarah Palin wont be finding him) with that dude from The Full Monty (Robert Carlyle) and of course where there’s Bauer there’s strife so 15 minutes into this movie an invasion has begun and it’ll be up to Jack to step up.
At the same time all this is going on of course there’s another story arc moving forward and back in the states a new president is being sworn in while people around her are trying to cover up the US of A’s role in the aforementioned invasion.
Now I wont spoil anymore of the mayhem for you, you’ll see it soon enough lets just say it ends with Jack rolling the hard six and coming up snake eyes and ready for a new season.
Now while I did enjoy this little taste of Bauer it feels a bit like Jack-Lite, the tension while good just can’t match the level the show hits (not in this short running time) and I think part of that is simply because Jack is lone wolfing it and there’s no interaction with CTU or someone who can help make the discoveres along the way that make you feel like you are on the slippery slope the show lives on. Not a terrible thing they do fill the gap with the proceedings back in DC but at times it does feel like re-inventing the wheel.
For fan of the Bauer it’ll be refreshing and fun, for those not into the show this is a good chance to get started. Buy It Now: Rating: