24: Redemption (2008)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

One of my all time favorites.

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

"24: Redemption" was the result of the 2007 writers strike, designed to be a prequel to season 7. As such, it has half its attention on setup (new president, conspiracy, etc) and that's actually its weaker half.It's much better when it's focused on Jack Bauer, laying low in Africa and suddenly tasked with saving a school full of children from conscription into a dictator's army. This, as he's sought to testify before a Senate subcommittee.Without the confines of the clock (it's told from 3-5pm, but that's rather loose) there's actually more room for him to breathe as a character, as a person. Kiefer's scenes with compatriot Robert Carlyle are among the best and the price he pays to accomplish the mission (get those kids to the US Embassy) is profoundly sad. The argument still stands that he can't escape the life, but his sacrifice is real.7/10

24 IS BACK. IT'S BACK AND IT'S REDEEMED! Good movie and it's a definite change up from "evil terrorist plot starting" stuff, though I still found the boring political B-Plot tiresome; it was truly a horrendous subplot. I thought they were going to get away from this stuff? Anyways, it was a nice touch to hear Jack say "events take place in real time" at the beginning again; they haven't done that since the first season and props to Sean Callery, who adapted the 24-style music nicely to the setting. It was also refreshing watching an episode of 24 and not having to hear that damn CTU phone ring every 5 minutes.They also seemed to heavily borrow concepts from Blood Diamond and Last King of Scotland. Maybe a more appropriate title would have been 'The Last King of Scotland's Blood Diamond: The Series'. Also, what was the time difference between Africa and the States? Why was there day light in both places? And I guess Hillary won in the 24 universe, which must mean Powers Boothe = John McCain. Also loved the gratuitous tit shots when they were discussing important plot points over the phone.I was also pretty shocked when they killed the kids; a first in 24 and I loved how Jack took out their whole army, especially with that stealth knife kill and that jump from the tree was awesome too. Also loved the "Why don't you go hide in the shelter with the other children" line.They seem to be overdoing the whole Jack torture scene as it's reaching Mel Gibson self parody level now. Hmmm, The Passion of the Bauer? Though saying that, Jack's been in a Chinese prison for a year, you really think the Africans are going to mess with him? And I loved that KILL BY KNEE scene.I was sad when Carl died (damn kids always screwing things up) though it was an awesome way to go out and it was odd how they didn't give him the silent clock. And even more oddly, they did the silent clock at the end of the movie; so either Benton had just died or Jack's soul did. And the "He's not coming. He's DEAD!" line was cooold.The gun fight an the end reminded me of Black Hawk Down and I wish Jack would of shot that kid. I was also disappointed that the subpoena guy didn't die, although that was a sweet thing he did to get Jack back.Oh, and they must have paid a lot to get less commercials in the first half, though we sure did pay for it in the second half.

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is hiding out in Africa, trying to re-find his spiritual self after becoming disillusioned. However, he becomes involved in the plight of some children who are about to be forced to join guerrilla armies.After watching the first series of 24, it failed to impress me that much and I never really became a fan. But this feature length episode caught my eye when it was advertised on TV, and when I saw it was possible to rent a copy, I gave it a try. In honesty, it was just what I was expecting and nothing more, a distracting, passable piece driven a bit more by human drama than the 'real time' factor. Sutherland is as bland as the material, and Robert Carlyle tries to add something in his supporting role as an impassioned aid worker. 'Candyman' Tony Todd also adds air as the villain, but this remains a standard, unremarkable piece that is best for when you just want to veg out and relax. ***

I watched this yesterday on Dutch Television. I had not been following 24 for quite some time and to see a movie was a great surprise. As an avid fan I really looked forward to this. I made my tea and cookies and was ready to enjoy.Obviously Jack Bauer kicked ass again, no surprise here, what the problem was was the poor ending. Not to mention the film only lasted an hour. It was too damn short, the ending wasn't a real ending. It didn't feel good. I think that you can't really make a good movie out of a series if that series requires 24 hours to make an entire story. They had the same eye for detail but not the time to make it fit. The action scenes weren't really fitting, I felt more as if the director said to himself: "gee, we're lacking some action scenes.. hmmm let's do another one and I don't care why I just want action!"It really didn't feel 24ish. I understand that it may sound strange, requiring a perfect film for a man who is the year 2000's Chuck Norris and usually isn't too complicated other than struggling with the dilemma of deciding to kick them with his left or right leg, but it just wasn't right.I'll look forward to a next season of 24, but I'll pass for another film.