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24: Season One TV
Series
Directed by: Jon Cassar, et al.
Starring: Kiefer Sutherland
Genre:
Action/Adventure
Run Times: Vary
Release Date:
November 2001
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
Jack Bauer is the head of
L.A.'s CTU (Counter-Terrorist Unit), and he's just received notification
from the higher-ups that a threat to a Presidential candidate (the first
black candidate) is real and imminent. His job is to thwart the attempt
by all means necessary. This will be "the longest 24 hours of his life."
But the terrorists are aware of Jack and know he's assigned to root them
out. We quickly learn that Jack's wife and daughter are in danger.
They're swooped up by splinter cells of the terrorists and locked away.
Now they have some leverage against Jack, and they're going to use it.
But they underestimate him. Having been trained in Special Forces before
moving into law enforcement, Jack doesn't like being pushed against the
wall. Fighting back is his only chance, for him, his family and the
Presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, other story lines are coalescing with this one. The office of
L.A.'s CTU may be rife with undercover agents for foreign terror groups.
Jack and his wife were once on the outs and Jack became involved with
Agent Nina Myers (Sarah Clarke) — the second in command at CTU — for a
very brief time. Senator David Palmer (the candidate) and his family are
having a rough time; they're in the middle of the California primary and
Mr. Palmer's wife is enamored with becoming the first lady ...so much so
that she's willing to risk just about everything to get there. Palmer's
son may also have been involved in the murder of a boy who raped his
sister, and the news is just now beginning to break. Palmer's enemies
are closing in, trying to kill him and to kill his run for President.
And as this unfolds, we learn that Jack Bauer and David Palmer were once
involved in a military operation (as subordinate and leader
respectively) that killed a Kosovo terrorist ...and, by accident, his
family. Or so they thought.
The family of the "murdered" man (Dennis Hopper, SPEED, 1994) may have
infiltrated CTU and are prepared to do anything to get Senator Palmer
and Jack Bauer.
This first season of 24 developed almost a cult following. And there's
good reason for it. This is acting well done and nonstop action at its
finest. Just when a storyline starts winding down, they pump it back up
with adrenaline. Kiefer Sutherland (Jack Bauer) was a good choice for
the lead character and all of the supporting cast are just as perfect
for their roles (from Leslie Hope who plays Jack's wife to Dennis Haysbert who stars as Senator David Palmer, the Presidential candidate.)
The complaints surrounding the series are justified if a bit
unrealistic. Most have centered on the lack of realism when it comes to
travel times in L.A.; the 24 hour screenwriters put everything at 15
minutes away from everything else in the big city. This is true, they
do. But when you have to cover one hour per episode, you can see why
they did this; they only have so much time to get new plots across and
keep the story moving at a decent pace.
It's great to see a quality TV series making its way into mainstream
America. It's so rare for something like this; I was stunned to find so
many people (mainly my friends, coworkers, and family) were equally
enamored with the program.
(back to top) |
Image from 24
DVD cost: $39.99
Purchase:
Amazon.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
In the Day 5 episode 4:00
p.m.-5:00 p.m. Audrey identifies herself to the secretary as Jane
Espenson. Jane Espenson is a writer who had previously worked with one of
24's producers, David Fury, on several Joss Whedon shows.
Movie Quote: "We
are running out of time!"
Other Actors/Actresses
from 24
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