Sävellys:
Sean CalleryNäyttelijät:
Kiefer Sutherland, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Carlos Bernard, Elisha Cuthbert, James Morrison, Sarah Clarke, Leslie Hope, Sarah Wynter, Xander Berkeley (lisää)Suoratoistopalvelut (1)
Kaudet(8) / Jaksot(192)
Juonikuvaukset(1)
Sarja kertoo kuvitteellisesta terrorisminvastaisesta yksiköstä ja sen yrityksistä suojella USA:ta terroristien salaliitoilta. Jokaisessa jaksossa seurataan Baueria, USA:n valtion virkamiehiä ja vuorokauden tapahtumien takana olevia salaliittolaisia. Jokainen jakso kattaa yhden tunnin tapahtumat, jotka kuvataan reaaliajassa. (Viaplay Suomi)
(lisää)Arvostelut (7)
Provisional rating after 14 episodes: It is definitely not "the best series of all time", as the copious advertising campaign tried to make us believe, but only a slightly above-average miniseries, in which three storylines are artfully put together to make it enough for 24 episodes without the viewer feeling bored. So far, this has worked out, but otherwise there is nothing groundbreaking in terms of plot. Using multiple windows looks good, but again nothing new under the sun. And most importantly – the biggest attraction – the action taking place in "real" time, takes a beating. Not only do some situations take on an unlikely dimension, but the frequent five-minute jumps look weird. Sure, in the US, these jumps are used for five-minute commercial breaks, where obese Americans learn what weight-loss product to buy, and at the same time can feel that something is still happening in the fictional world of Jack Bauer. The commercials end and they're still in real-time, except Jack has moved his car three miles or gone to the bathroom during those five minutes. Meanwhile, we Central Europeans have to watch in dismay as entire blocks of time disappear before our eyes, with the TV channel spicing it up with commercials. But enough with the snark. 24 is a well done job, which didn't impress me (yet), but as a one time, to kick back and relax, why not? Let's see what the next episodes bring.
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"Real time" is an interesting incantation that works so far. I like the "handheld" camera and the cut-out shots that increase the dynamics of the plot... It's hard to judge for the first episode how this thriller will develop (it obviously goes according to genre schemes, but that doesn't have to be a bad thing), but I can already say that Sutherland is sympathetic and the dubbing is overall very good (especially Trojan does a good job)... I’d like to watch the next episode, because this looks like a series with its own identity and a slightly progressive spirit... // After watching the other episodes, however, I can't help myself - other than a slightly unusual approach, this is a perfectly typical US thriller that has not attracted me through anything...
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Eight hard day’s nights (i.e. eight seasons over the course of nine years) for Jack Bauer spanning almost fifteen “series" years. 24 has countless flaws (imbalance between separate episodes both in terms of quality and screenplay, sometimes needlessly dragged-out), but in terms of the conspiracy/action series genre it is incomparable. True, it is in essence pure B-grade, but mostly a darn high quality B which, in the better seasons, beats other regular action series hands down. The advantage with 24 is that the creators push back the limits of just how far non-cable TV productions can go. The characters as such aren’t particularly interesting (apart from Jack, of course), but they mostly catch your interest thanks to the actors. Basically the biggest mistake is that each episode is divided into thirds. Bauer in the field, political machinations and what goes on at CTU headquarters. And the CTU bit soon starts to get boring (and later actively annoying; the dialogs in this part of the episodes are a real “experience"), the political intrigues are sometimes interesting (in season one) and sometimes not (in later seasons) and so the Jack storyline is the only one to maintain the quality level in all days; whether it’s over-the-top or not. This certainly isn’t the best series of all time, but it is an above-average affair that maintains some potential even in later seasons. Day 1 4/5: Compared to the rest of Bauer’s days, this is very “raw" and unpolished. It isn’t about anything big, and remains on a personal level. Unlike the later seasons, it relies heavily on the last few episodes, without them it is merely a solid affair, sometimes too full of cliché. Personally, I came to appreciate this season only after some time. Day 2 5/5: The best balanced season in terms of quality, pace and story; it works wonderfully as a whole and none of the episodes stick out or fade into the background. It’s the first day where Jack’s dark side starts to emerge and, mainly thanks to the creators, this time the story doesn’t lead up to one final climax, but has a series of “sub-plots" that take up 3-4 episodes. Just a shame about the dumb storyline involving Kim and the boring two first episodes. Day 3 4/5: Too bad that this season wasn’t shorter by a couple of episodes. There are no downright weak episodes in this season, but around half way through, they could have done a lot of cutting. Certainly still above-average quality and several memorable moments (how one of the main protagonists dies). Day 4 4/5: Basically a restart without most of the original cast and overall the approach in this season is a little different; this time we know who the main villain is from the beginning; the entire day is treated as one long chain of action episodes without any significant twists. Definitely excellent and, luckily, before it starts repeating itself like a scratched record, in the last third the creators kick off with another storyline that results in a wonderful finale that ties up loose ends to close 24 in style. Day 5 3/5: A splendid and bold beginning to the season, lots of excellently developed themes, ideas and twists. More than one episode ingrain themselves in your memory. Despite all the pluses, this season works in terms of individual instances rather than as a whole. Day 6 2/5: This season suffers from the same ailments as the last one. Separate fragments of it are often great, but it doesn’t hold together much as a whole. But still, it takes off intriguingly. Especially the last ten minutes or so of episode four are probably the best that 24 has come up with so far. Unfortunately, it also all too obviously borrows from itself. In fact, it’s occasionally started to get my goat. If it weren’t for the excellent beginning and decent ending, I would have gone even lower with the score. This is due to the creators trying out whether it would work even without Jack and so he is missing for the whole middle section. Which is a suicidal mistake because the only reason that this series hasn’t fallen apart yet is Bauer... Before his “week at work" was over, Jack managed to find time for a quick trip to Africa to make a feature movie24: Redemption 3/5. Day 7 1/5: The first episode is a parody of itself and is seriously boo standard, but Jack’s storyline soon pulls itself together and now it looks like one of the best in this season. The problem is that the president storyline seems to have remained in the land of boo. However, half way through the season the wtf attack on the White House and what follows is Boo City, D.C. To preserve my positive attitude toward the good old 24 that I love, I have decided to stop watching. Damn it! Day 8 4/5: In the end I didn’t manage to stop watching and so I put on the last season. The rumors about a return of quality do not lie; Day 8 really goes back to grass roots. Perhaps a little big, because all the storylines and suspenseful moments simply recycle the best moment of past and better seasons (mostly season two and four). But it works, flows by nicely, doesn’t come up with any particular surprises, but is a solid average. But then the moment arrives: about two-thirds through the season everything turns out well, all threats have been eliminated and a new story begins. A story that has obviously been collecting dust in a drawer, waiting for the order from above to get it out and use it. No threats, no terrorists, the CTU shenanigans are sidelined; it’s a return to the personal level of Day 1. Gripping, wonderfully thought through and even emotionally fully functional. In other words, ingredients that have been lacking in 24 for years now. Yep, an ending just as it should be. An ending that makes you forget all the crap you saw in the worse seasons and also that the ending should have come a good while ago; the only thing that matters is that they leave some (exceedingly) loose ends for a potential follow-up. It needs a definitive period... You know what kind.
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Season 1 – 85% – It is truly surprising how raw the atmosphere is, right from the beginning. Unlike the years that followed, which are more action-thriller oriented, the start focuses more on basic psychology and political twists, with action taking a backseat. The main problem is how the viewer can accept the occasional clichés. Fortunately, they are all presented in such an attractive package that I have no problem swallowing them. The last two episodes are filled with tension until the very last second. Season 2 – 90% – The action has intensified, Jack's personal tragedy adds to his toughness and determination, Kim continues to function in the realms of "sexy" and "hysterical" at the same time, and the best character, with a change of sides, is Nina. The action-packed ending adds a touch of timelessness. Season 3 – 85% – The first half of the third day brings a charismatic new partner, a highly unpredictable plot, and an amazing villainous duo, which takes it to its peak. However, the second half is filled with schematic situations that have no place at CTU and, in their predictability, can sometimes even be boring. Fortunately, the finale brings an almost breathless catharsis, adding significant points to the overall impression. The feeling of the story coming full circle is perfect, yet the golden age is yet to come. Season 4 – 90% – The notion that everything should have ended at the end of the third day was fortunately just an illusion. This time, CTU gets a formidable opponent, which gives the term "main antagonist" a completely new dimension. The only criticism this time are the characters – both the unnecessarily prolonged storyline of the Araz family or Jack's new partner. Her repeated transformations of the overall perception of things due to her ex-husband somewhat spoil the feeling of a realistic-looking relationship plot. However, the story gains its greatest strength in moments when old acquaintances return and with the growing night atmosphere. Who would have guessed after an incredible finish that it could be even better next time? Season 5 – 100% – An unstoppable ride from its shocking start to the emotionally charged final episode. The best antagonist (a duel between student and teacher), the best atmosphere (you never know which of your favorite characters will be affected next), and unequivocally the best season. Not to mention a very dark ending. Season 6 – 65% – To some extent a return to its roots in terms of emphasizing family relationships. Noticeably better special effects and this time even slightly surprising brutality, which fans of the first seasons might be astonished by. But the most important thing is that it is the worst season. After an effective start, in the middle third of the day, I got the impression that not everything was going the way it should, and the series was needlessly stretching out a juicy but repetitive taste of what has already been seen in previous seasons. However, the last episodes take off into unprecedented twists and the final ten minutes are unrepeatable with their unique atmosphere. Therefore, two sharp contradictions are conflicting inside me. On one hand, the creators showed me that they can still come up with sufficiently nerve-racking plots, but on the other hand, I don't like feeling that I barely want to watch the next episodes. Redemption – 70% – We all know that the strike hurt Jack the most out of all A-list TV series. That's why with his first shot comes the expected excitement that he finally got out of this one. He can still go hard for the right cause, pick up anything to incapacitate the enemy with, and when he gets close to someone fate hasn't spared, he goes south dangerously quickly. But since I'm a proponent of the classic Los Angeles look, I have to add in the same breath that relocating to this location probably wasn't the most fortunate idea. After all, we've seen it all before in Blood Diamond, Hotel Rwanda, and City of God, and even the highly political storyline offers nothing surprising this time around. It's hard to get used to the fact that even Jack Bauer can come up with (only) pleasant mediocrity. Still, there's no need to damn Redemption, because it's essentially just a fan-favorite, feature-length prequel. Season 7 – 80% – The first time without a permanent setting, the first time with a suspicious return from beyond the grave, but the seventh time in a similar river. If it weren't for a familiar character involved in the whole terrorist endeavor, I might have a bit of a problem with another "America is in danger and we have no idea what to do about it" situation. So more than ever, the more the viewer likes Jack, the more they'll enjoy this season. Plus, with the perfectly written Renee Walker by his side, it hasn't been this good for a long time. So even though the new characters are at times very irritating and the surprising twists seem a bit contrived, there's no rush. The ending explains everything very satisfactorily and says that nothing in the world is black and white. This seemingly banal phrase is a very emotional thing when delivered by the creators of 24. Season 8 – 90% – A triumph. I was wishing Jack another quality season. After an indecisive start, I wanted an adventure on the level of season seven, then after a surprisingly awkward first third and the announcement that day eight would be the last, the exit was at least decent. Except now it all feels like a commentary on some other series. 24 did, in fact, take a 180° turn after a major twist, adding pace, acting, twists and, most importantly, tension, and delivering one of the highlights of the whole show for me. A hated character becomes a top-notch antagonist, the ridiculously fast-paced boss changes get surprising endings, and just when it seems like CTU is going all out after a while, Jack's fatal one-man-show comes along to show us that we haven't even begun. All in all, then, one of Bauer's best seasons ever, and a bit of a surprise event this season. If it had ended after season six or seven, Jack would still be a hero. But this way, with a brilliant finish, he retained his place as one of the greatest kings in TV series history. Who could have guessed that Fox would start itching their hands so much about a sequel that the most wonderful gift would arrive. Live Another Day – 90% – The talk of a reboot or a standalone miniseries was more false than I ever would have guessed. Characters who have been absent for years return to the storyline, the side plots bring back the darkest ghosts from the past, and in general the whole scheme of the opening episodes recalls the classic days of the original 24 as much as possible. Thus, a terrorist group can threaten the world with all sorts of weapons or explosions, and even when he's a mere rumor to most people rather than a real person, Jack Bauer has to step in. And although I was slightly reluctant, curbed my enthusiasm for the action scenes or nostalgic homages, and shook my head at times at the technical shortcuts or devices, in the end, I too was absorbed. The final three episodes, in fact, offer the essence of everything that attached me to that ticking clock all those years ago. Perfect audio-visuals, suspense literally down to the last second, and an emotional experience whose intensity almost made me miserable at times. Those moments when the need and zeal to save other people exceeds one's own need for happiness, or even a life, work perfectly for the ninth time. The fifth star, somewhat surprisingly, goes to William Devane, who, at just under seventy-five, has no trouble charming the entire White House staff into silence.
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I've only seen the first two seasons, then this format got a bit tiresome for me. The series was preceded by a generous advertising campaign that set expectations very high. 24 is a typical commercial product, with its advantage lying in dynamic editing and a script that revels in dramatic twists, not to mention the lead performance by Kiefer Sutherland. On the other hand, the series is accompanied by a number of script shortcomings, such as the nonsensical and overcomplicated motif of the destroyed plane in the first season. There are also plenty of genre clichés from action movies and the invincibility of the main character. If Jack Bauer can do it, then why do Americans have trouble in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere? In the second season, the superfluous subplot with Bauer's daughter is evident, and similar criticisms could be found upon closer examination. Nevertheless, the dynamic plot and script twists place the series slightly above average. Overall impression: 60%.
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Day One: Certainly one of the milestone series without which superb series like Lost and Heroes would never have been made. The creators had the great idea of following one day in the life of the head of an elite anti-terrorist unit. It’s true that it’s almost unbelievable that so much happens in this one day, but there we are. Not a dull moment. Kiefer Sutherland is great as Jack Bauer and in fact all of the acting performances are A-grade. I’m intrigued to see what the next day brings... Day Two: Is great. The great idea of bringing a good old atomic bomb onto the scene was the best thing 24 could have come up with. Some episodes are still unsurpassed today. The only disruptive storyline is the one with Kim, but that’s about the only thing I didn’t like. Jack is on a roll and I want to be there when he starts another game on day three. By the way, George Mason (and Xander Berkeley) is cool and I’ve been rooting for him since season one. At one point I thought he was even cooler than Jack, and that’s saying something... Day Three: Certainly the most chock-full day yet. Maybe too chock-full. The first half didn’t work out too well and apart from Jack’s storyline, it was pretty boring. On the other hand the second 12 hours is the best the series has offered so far, so I’m still happy. I hope it will stay at least one the same quality level. I wonder what day four has to offer... Day Four: I thought that this would be lamer than the preceding days (I don’t know where I got that from, I probably read it somewhere or something) but they are serving up just as good a ride as before on a golden platter. I would like to praise the main villain, played by Arnold Vosloo, to the heavens. 24 was lacking such a slippery and, most importantly, Mr. Nice-Guy bastard. Chloe was a pleasant surprise too. She seriously rocks (especially in the terrain ;) and her straightforward approach can conjure up a smile on your face even in the most unsuitable situations. And the ending of the last episode was balm for my soul. That’s just the sort of ending I like best. I’m incredibly curious about what day five has in store for Jack... Day Five: Wow. An amazing ride. It was so bombastic that I spent the last day of 2007 and the first day of 2008 with Jack because I was just glued to the screen. An incredibly intense experience, a great villain (Mr. P. himself;) and a great ending again. Froggy president Logan gave an amazing performance. The last episode is the best we’ve had from 24. I can’t wait for day six... Day Six: The amazing beginning revolving around atomic bombs in briefcases completely blew me away. But that meant that for me the slow and predominantly political part that suffered from a serious lack of Jack was interminable. Luckily toward the end, everything began to return to normal and I was happy again. And I got to admit one thing, Jack is jinxed. But that doesn’t stop me from looking forward to day seven... P.S.: Even though the screenwriters’ strike is doing its utmost to prevent it. Come on guys, make a deal already ;). Day Seven: We have reached the inevitable and the series is beginning to select the best parts of the previous seasons and adding something new. Sometimes I thought I was watching things from day two or day three again. Luckily, they also raised the tempo dramatically and so there is no chance of getting bored. The fact that a plot that used to take until half way through the season unravels itself during just one episode is no reason to get upset. Also, from the start Day seven features a Jack Bauer (about the first 13 hours) who is heartless and almost robotically precise. This pattern is disrupted a little by spoileroid elements that I would rather skim over for the time being. The cast has undergone a marked improvement, apart from that awful Cherry Jones in the role of President Taylor. Apart from a few familiar faces, it’s Annie Wesching as Renee Walker who the role of Bauer’s partner fits like a glove and you are reminded of the good old Jack from the days when he still had a reason to live. She’s also pretty foxy and at last somebody to look at again in this series. Together with Elisha Cutherbert who proves to grampa Jack that she’s like him, thus nicely overturning one of the good old clichés of the series. Others who shone quite brightly include Colm Feore, the occasionally slightly annoying, but in the end solid Jeffrey Nordling and also Carlos Bernart who returns again as Tony Almeida. Tony’s storyline is probably the most interesting of all because, as a former stiff, he has a lot to explain. Not forgetting, of course, Jon Voight who outdoes almost every villain so far from previous seasons with his perfect embodiment of the pleasantly unhinged Jonas Hodges. Setting this season in Washington helped a lot and laid the ground for a few great scenes (the episodes in the middle in the White House), as well as a couple of really nice shots of the Capitol with changes in how the light falls on it (the orange is replaced by a cold blue) etc. I hope that moving the action to New York will have a similar and maybe even better effect, because NY offers lots of space (a shooting Jack running through the Rockerfeller Center) for very interesting experiments. It just remains for me to wish Kiefer best of luck in court and hope that the creators have that president dame killed on day eight. Date Eight: Now I’m almost on the brink of tears and so if this review turns into sentimental gibberish, you are more than welcome to stop reading. Jack Bauer begins his last day on TV on a clean page. Happy and with his family. We aren’t used to this. But, as usual, a terrorist attack comes knocking on the door and, despite all his efforts to prevent it, Jack is pulled back in again. President Hassan, the target, reminds me of good old Palmer and he’s quite a nice guy. Renee Walker is back, transformed into a killing machine and her role is to be the catalyst for the last few hours of the day. Of the new faces, I would like to highlight Freddie Prinze Jr. for being such a convincing action hero. He just needed the chance. And now to the story. The first three-quarters is the classic as we know it. Nothing really special, but still better than most of the regular competition. The then we reach a turning point that sits you right down in your seat and that’s when the ending that all of us fans wished for begins. Jack starts a kind of inferno that we haven’t seen for a long time and the dead bodies begin piling up. The political storyline is better than ever and that dumb president starts developing into a darn interesting character, under the influence of good old Logan (the again perfect Gregory Itzin), whose presence make me look forward to every sycophantic smile, trick, half-truth and subterfuge. As the diametric opposite of Jack, he is the perfect villain for the last few hours. The last episode maybe isn’t as action-packed as I had hoped (because “Events occur in real time" we miss out on lots of things, which is a darn shame), but it’s still a great episode. I was close to tears during the final scene and... darn, I need a tissue. I’m gonna miss ya, Jack. DAMN IT! Day Nine: So the clock started ticking again after all, and the authors take you briskly into the story. 8 days was too long, but everything is relatively well explained even for those who have only just jumped on the band wagon. This loaded twelve part series offers all that’s good (and bad) in the last series just with less stuffing. The terrorist mother is pretty familiar, but tries to offer something new from a drone’s point of view. Heller’s gang is back, after all they got a bit left out in the sixth series, but mainly Jack is back. Pissed and nasty. Just the way we like him. Tension is at breaking point in the last episodes stretching to the limits of endurance. The series is pretty creative in working with the viewer’s assumptions and deals him several surprises. The last episode is uncompromising and ends with a samurai sword and the ten minute epilog is a fine way to say farewell, with the ending that touches your heart. But only after the fadeout.
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A dynamic series, but 8 seasons may be a bit too much. There are interesting plot twists, but there is also a lack of subtlety and unnecessary stretching. It's acceptable, but three or four seasons would be ideal. Surprisingly, for an action series, with a few exceptions, it doesn’t have very high-quality action scenes.
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