Customer Reviews

24: Redemption

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

"24:Redemption", two-hours long TV movie that premiered last night, is a "bridge" connecting the last season that ended 18 months ago and the new one which we, the fans of the show have been waiting impatiently and which is scheduled to open in January 2009. The film takes place in real time format, just like all episodes do. After watching it, I am excited about upcoming season and I hope that 24 - Season 7 will be more like season 1 than season 6. Judging by the movie, "24: Redemption", there are many reasons for hope. The film is thrilling, gripping, it uses every one of its minutes effectively, and it is much more plausible with its plot and Jack's relations and intentions. It was a good idea to take Jack out of LA and place him in one of hot places on the planet, Sangala, the fictional country in Africa, with very real problems that look too familiar. Jack is back, and he is in great shape, still invincible, resourceful, the man of action who would not lose ability to think clearly and to make the right decision even when being brutally tortured. I am truly sorry that we may not see Robert Carlyle again - the chemistry between him and Sutherland was very real, and their last scene together moved me like not many scenes during all seasons did. But who knows, nothing is what it seems when it comes to 24. Jon Voight's presence promises a creepy dangerous villain, and if the writers of the series keep up with what they did for the movie, we are in for thrilling, entertaining, unforgettable 24 hours from the life of one very special Federal Agent, Jack Bauer.

Redemption's whole purpose is to set you up for season 7 and it does that soooooooo perfectly. When first watching it, I had to assume that this could possibly be completely lame and just be a stupid excuse for there to be a 24 movie. But NOT TRUE SIR! Redemption gives so much reason for Jack coming back into play. Even the most obsessed fan of 24 (such as myself) has to ask at some point, "how long can this go on and how many times can one man be pulled back into these messes and come out on top every time???" Well, seriously... Redemption continues to make sense of everything and absolutely won't let you down. Plus, if you skip this movie and go straight to season 7, you'll be a little in the dark on a few things. I don't have to tell you that it's a "must have" for any fan of 24 because any fan already knows that as long as its part of the series, it is a "must have."

This is definitely what the 24 series needed! So what would 24 be like if Jack Bauer wasn't at CTU? What would it be like if it wasn't set in Los Angeles, California? Awesome is the answer to these questions. Season 6 had me wavering as a 24 fan. Granted I still think the character is great, but Season 6 was just plagued with bad writing! Jack's dad was the cause behind the problems way too many times for it to be shocking by the end and it lost that edge of your seat action feel without the shocking conclusions.

Anyway "Redemption" has Jack on the run, which is no secret to those who saw the end of last season. Apparently he's already fled to a bunch of different places and we finally catch up with Jack in Africa. It does sort of feel like a cliché rip off of the "Blood Diamond" story in some respects, but honestly they managed to keep me entertained well enough. This really isn't a movie by any stretch of the imagination; this is more of a prequel to Season 7. Which, judging by the way this ended, should be a very interesting season. I won't really give much more than that away as the story is very intriguing and was as action packed as you'd expect from 24.

With missing a whole year of 24, I think this prequel was a great idea in order to bring people up to speed with the next season and to give more depth to Jack's character. The new setting with the war torn Africa was a pretty good choice in my opinion and definitely kept viewers on the edge of their seat, as 24 is supposed to do. At this point I don't think anyone who isn't a fan already will pick this up, so if you're a fan of the show I can't imagine you wouldn't find this enjoyable.

Let me start by saying that I love "24." I love each season for its own particular strengths. I even loved Season 6, with all of its flaws. But as for "24: Redemption," I can only say that it's...OK. Granted, the producers had a pretty big hurdle to overcome from the outset, with 18 months of anticipation having built up. But the movie was operating under so many constraints that it never developed any of the depth that makes the series more than just an action show. It was as if the producers were expecting us to be so wowed by the exotic African and DC locations that we wouldn't notice that the story was weak. Having Jack trying to rescue a group of poor, oppressed African children was not only stereotypical, but it tried to play on the sympathies of the audience in the most blatant manner imaginable. Having the child soldier pointing a rifle at Jack while repeating "Kill the cockaroach" over and over, before running away in terror at the supposed power of Jack's words, gets my vote as probably the worst moment ever in any episode of "24." And, of course, they managed to cram in the obligatory torture scene from which Jack immediately recovers without missing a beat. I think the main problem was that they tried to give us two storylines in only two hours. They usually have 24 hours in which to develop a story. As a result, neither plot-line really ever went any place interesting. If the makers of "24" ever return to their idea of making a "24" feature film, they really need to learn some lessons from this experiment, because for me it proved that "24" can't work in a two-hour format without some serious overhaul. After all, everyone knows that Jack and company (except for those who get offed) are eventually going to stop the terrorists, before the season even starts. It's the little moments that make "24" great for me. I love it when Mandy the assassin is reduced to tears by the death of her girlfriend, while she stands in the crosshairs, in the first season. I love the conversation that Senator Palmer has with the two vandals who break his windows in Season 1. I love Palmer's impeachment in season 2, and the pained look on Mike Novick's face throughout. I love the final moments between Jack and Chappelle in season three. I love Michelle's farewell to Gael, also in season three (probably my favorite season). I love it when Jack robs the convenience store in season four. I love the look on Lynn McGill's face as he helplessly watches a fellow CTU agent die, in season five. And I love it when Assad says "You've taken the wrong path, Shaheed" as he kills the friend who betrayed him in season six. These are the kinds of moments you lose when you have to strip everything down to two hours, and for me, "Redemption" showed that the action and intrigue alone aren't enough to make it stand out from the plethora of similar shows and movies. I'll leave my critique at that. I'm sure that other diehard "24" fans will end up buying the DVD, anyway, but for those who are new to "24," I'll just say that this is not the best starting point. Stick to the series. And I hope that Season 7 ends up being much better than this.

In previous seasons, _24_ has had two-hour premieres (and even four hours, split between Sunday and Monday). Well, IMHO this is the two-hour premiere episode for the new season. Granted, it is not absolutely essential that you watch "24: Redemption" in order to appreciate the 24-episode Season 7 -- but if you're reading this you're almost certainly a fan of the series, and if you're a fan you almost certainly can't get enough of _24_.

What has Jack Bauer been doing since the end of Season 6? You'll find out when you watch "Redemption". And if you happen to be reading this after already beginning to watch Season 7, you can still watch this TV-movie and gain an insight or two into what world events led up to the season's start.

The writing, directing, acting and all other important factors are typical _24_ quality, as you might expect. The two-hour format (less commercial time in the televised version, but there is also an extended version) gives the creative types a little extra freedom to flesh out the story. Personally I was a bit disappointed that this was not the big-screen "24 movie" I was hoping we'd get, but I suppose that still could happen someday.

If you are a fan of _24_, either you have already seen "24: Redemption" or you want to see it. And if buy the box-sets of each season (you do, don't you?), then you absolutely have to add this to your collection. Get it. You won't regret it.

After an interminable 18 months of not hearing from the now-iconic former CTU agent, JACK IS BACK, ladies & gentlemen! FOX cleverly ties together the end of the somewhat trite and disappointing Season 6 and the new Season 7. Bauer's been on the move and is in the not-too-fictional African country of Sengala. Well...from humanitarian to freedom-fighter for Jack; meanwhile, back in the States...we have our new Madame President (Cherry Jones) sworn in after a 'kind' word or two from the outgoing President (the always slightly sinister Powers Boothe)...tick tick, tick tick...to corruption in high places in the government, masterminded by Jon Voight. Lookin' good for the regular Season 7 start in January...oh yes, it's started already...and Season 7 so far, after 6 hours, is living up to the hype and punches up the visceral excitement that 24 at its best delivers better than any show has this century!

24 REDEMPTION is an engrossing roller-coaster ride of suspense, thrills, excitement, and drama.

The episode, which sets the stage for season 8, finds Jack working in a peaceful African village serving a boys' school for an old friend. The situation quickly grows tense when guerrila troops of a rebel army begin to threaten the region. Jack is called into action to protect and deliver the youngsters from danger.

But there is much more than this at play. Jack is looking for peace, for resolution for his life; for redemption. The country he loves has taken everything from him but his life - and now he is wanted in America to stand trial before the U.S. Senate.

Restless, lonely, haunted, driven...can Jack ever find peace? Can he find salvation?

If you like Jack Bauer you will most likely like 24:Redemption. This 2 hour special served it's purpose of setting up for season 7, which will allow season 7 to jump right into the action. Yes it was light on story and heavy on action, but that's what 24 is all about. Jack Bauer may have missed a season due to the writer's strike, but he looks prepared to come back in full form!

I finally caught up with REDEMPTION yesterday. I had grown tired of 24 after six seasons, and decided to lay off for awhile. Started re-watching my DVD sets, and decided to go for REDEMPTION and then into Season 7.

REDEMPTION is astoundingly good, even for 24. Shifting the story to Sengala to give the upcoming Season 7 some backstory and heft, it succeeds admirably in adding depth to Jack Bauer's character as well as deep emotional resonance to the General Juma/Colonel Dubaku holocaust affecting Season 7. The very real horror of conscripted child soldiers made me weep, something 24 does not do often. It is an ongoing tragedy (and if you want to help, contact Amnesty International). The wonderful Robert Carlyle's portrayal of Jack's old compatriot Carl Benton is absolutely perfect, and his articulation of how he and Jack manage to live with themselves given their histories is quiet and heartbreaking.

The boys, recruited from South African schools and soccer teams, are natural and unaffected as the orphans of War, especially Siyabulela Ramba as Jack's shadow Willie. He has a wonderful face. Tony Todd makes a short appearance as General Juma, and he and Hakeem Kae-Kazim as Colonel Dubaku (who has a more substantial, and pivotal role) are truly frightening. When we are told right in the beginning of Season 7 proper that the General has slaughtered more than 200,000 of his own people, your mind flashes to recent atrocities in Angola and the Congo. This does happen, and all too often.

The African cinematography by Rodney Charters is golden, capturing the lush beauty of the land, making the destruction a terrible crime against nature and man. The direction by series producer and head honcho Jon Cassar is more relaxed than the usual 24 episode, giving the story time to build until the rout begins.

And, of course, Kiefer Sutherland is stellar. Give Jack Bauer a true test of his mettle and he comes through every time. Jack is not a superman, but is tough, resilient, focused and willing to do whatever it takes to save his charges. When you touch the man's soul, he is your friend for life.

REDEMPTION should have been a feature film: it's that good. I understand that there will be at least one true 24 feature, arriving in 2012. Let's hope that, using the quality of REDEMPTION as a template, it will be one of the best films of the year. And, perhaps, the story of Jack Bauer will continue every year or two in theatres worldwide.

Check out REDEMPTION. You won't be disappointed. My only regret is that I waited so long to see it.

I'm very surprised I don't have any complaints as I couldn't watch the series when it was on tv without falling asleep. It has the action of the previous 24 seasons but this is coming from a 24 fan that has bought every season when they came out. When I get a new season I start from the being again. Worth the buy from Amazon