DVD Review: 24 Redemption
Written by: Ashtyn at 4:40 pm
Movie Info:
Writer: Joel Surnow, Robert Cochran
Director: Jon Cassar
Cast: Kiefer Sutherland, Cherry Jones, Bob Gunton, Colm Feore, Powers Boothe, Robert Carlyle, Peter MacNicol, Gil Bellows, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Isaach De Bankolé, Eric Lively, James Joseph O’Neil, Carly Pope
Rating:
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Release Info:
DVD Release Date: November 25, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $18.99
Jack Bauer is hands down one of my favorite characters on television. In fact, when it comes to action/adventure Bauer is the best. 24 has held my attention since the beginning. However, as a show continues with multiple seasons, like 24 has, the show runs the risk of becoming repetitive and losing focus. While 24 has always been incredibly interesting, the sixth season had many viewers, including myself, worried. The show wasn’t up to snuff compared to previous seasons and it left me wondering if the show was on a downward spiral or if it would come back to be better than ever.
Unfortunately, none of these answers could be offered until after the writer’s strike was over and the show could finally begin again. In January, season seven will begin. 24: Redemption is a taste of what is to come in that season. Actually, it’s at a time (a two hour span) between the sixth and seventh season. If this movie is any indication of what is to come, I can only say one thing. Jack is back!
24: Redemption includes all of the things that people love about the hit television show. It’s well written, exciting, suspense-filled, and full of danger. Sure, you need to suspend belief a little (or a lot, depending on the scene you’re watching), but it’s all for a good cause. 24 is certainly worth it.
Originally there were no plans for a 24: Redemption movie, or at least not like this. Prior to the writer’s strike, part of the season 7 episodes had been shot and they were ready to begin a new season. However, when the strike happened a decision to hold off on the season to show it altogether was made. For some, the most exciting part of that new season will be the return of Tony. Either way, the time off allowed them a chance to come up with a movie that is sure to reinforce the faith that many people had in this series. If this movie is anything like the new season, they can expect some blockbuster ratings and plenty of attention because it’s just what 24 fans had hoped for.
The 24 Redemption Plot
24 Redemption takes place between 3 and 5 PM. The setting begins in the African nation of Sangala. The opening scene shows a child killing another child in order to gain entrance into an Army. Jack is shown, soon after, in the same area. It’s been about a year since Day Six and Jack is in desperate need of finding some meaning to his life. While in Africa, Jack is spending time with an old friend, Carl Benton (Robert Carlyle). Unfortunately, their good time is soon interrupted by a Washington suit, who is looking to give Jack a subpoena. Apparently, Jack has been dodging this bullet for quite awhile so no one is sure if he will be sticking around or taking off on the run again.
Jack decides to stick around though when things get dangerous. General Juma’s (Tony Todd) Army rolls into town and starts killing kids and taking new soldiers by force. Jack sticks around to help his friend defend the school against this tyrannical warlord. They gather the kids and try to get them to the American embassy. They have the soldiers in their way though, and one of them, Colonel Dubaku (Hakeem Kae-Kazim) wants to see Jack dead as revenge for the murder of his brother in battle.
The US soon becomes involved and current President Daniels (Powers Boothe) tells the US personnel to evacuate. Consequently, this all occurs just hours prior to the new President, Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones) being sworn in. Taylor is less than thrilled to hear about the decision that was made by the current president, but there is little that she can do about it, at that point. It does not take long to find some American involvement behind the war. It will be up to Taylor’s son Roger (Eric Lively) to investigate the matter with his friend, to learn what is going on.
As you would expect, the most exciting portions of the show are when Jack Bauer is center stage. Fighting isn’t possible at all times, but Bauer is once again engrossing and amazing to watch so any time at all that isn’t spent with him feels like you’re just in limbo. Still, the other actors hold their weight and things end up looking and feeling fabulous again. This sets the stage well for the seventh season, which should be amazing for old and new fans alike.
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Audio/Visual:
24: Redemption is shown in a widescreen format with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The video is clear and crisp. Everything looks great. The color palette is strong. There is little to no blur, grain, or other visual errors. It is about the nicest transfer for anything television oriented in a long time. Some of the best scenes are the action sequences. The strength of the video really comes out here because this is the are where it’s usually so easy to find problems. However 24 looks like a brand new show that is ready to make a killer impression!
The audio for 24 Redemption is handled by Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround. The audio is absolutely fabulous. The dialogue always sounds clear and is easy to hear. The sound effects are explosive, but well leveled so you don’t spend a lot of time (if any) playing with the volume. The sound is dynamic and engrossing, much like the video and the story itself. This is an excellent transfer. Closed Captioning is available, as are subtitles in French, English, and Spanish.
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Bonus Features:
24 Redemption comes with two discs and plenty of special features. There are two movie versions available, one on each disc. The first disc includes the television version and the second version is an extended cut with a more violent appeal to it. Many of the fight scenes have been extended and there are plenty of longer scenes. One of the most interesting, non-fight scenes is one that offers Jack some nice character depth and explains why he got out of working as a spy. This, second version of the film is the one that comes with the audio commentary. The commentary is handled by Kiefer Sutherland, Jon Cassar, and Howard Gordon. The commentary is quite interesting to listen to. The three men offer plenty of information on the show and the movie. They talk about what it was like filming in Africa and how much of this was actually meant to be part of the seventh season.
In “The Making of Redemption” you have your standard making of kind of feature. Cassar talks about how filming in South Africa was necessary despite original plans to film in the US. It took some work on his part to convince the network, but eventually they realized it was for the best. There is plenty of information on the character of Benton, how the weather made shooting unpredictable, and general behind the scenes stuff. It’s pretty decent as far as making of’s go.
“Blood Never Dry: Child Soldiers in Africa” is a documentary that was touched on in the film. The documentary includes a harsh look at reality and brings in experts in human rights to show how these kids are brainwashed to become killers. True testimonials are read by Carlos Bernard, Mary Lynn Rajskub, and Cherry Jones. Even worse, footage of ten years olds smoking and holding automatic weapons. It’s hard to watch but certainly a special feature worth watching.
This is followed up by something much easier to watch. “Day 6 in 4 minutes” is what it sounds like. It’s a quickie recap of the sixth season of 24. Next up is a look at Season 7 with a special sneak peek. Actually, it’s a nearly 20 minute sneak peek! You get to see the first 16 minutes of the first episode. Jack is testifying, but soon is brought in to handle some thieves and troublemakers led by Tony, who is still alive! A new addition to the show will include a new FBI agent played by Jeanne Garofalo. Other than that all you have is a standard set of teasers and trailers. Of course, will all that you are offered, it should be plenty to keep you satisfied.
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Bottom Line:
24 Redemption is an amazing movie and you should definitely check it out. My hopes weren’t that high. I wasn’t sure that Jack would be able to wow me like he had in the past. However, I was wrong. This is as good as it was in the earlier seasons. The movie was great and the seventh season looks like it’s going to be even better. If you’re a 24 fan you truly couldn’t ask for more than this! If you haven’t seen it check it out. If you’re looking for a Christmas gift for a 24 fan consider picking this up for them because they will definitely love it!
Overall Rating:
Technorati Tags: DVD, TV Movie, TV on DVD, 24, Jack Bauer, Kiefer Sutherland, CTU, Tony, Carlos Bernard, Action, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
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Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.
