Recently a friend leant me the first box set of 24, with the warning that I may be glued to my TV set for a few consecutive nights. He was right. Having missed the first series of 24 when it was on TV, I had heard some friends talking about it, and saying how compulsive they found it. I found ... Read review
Season One DVD CollectionThere are terrorists planning to assassinate a presidential ... more
candidate. My teenage daughter has been kidnapped, and the people that I work with may be involved in both. I'm Federal Agent Jack Bauer. This is the longest day of my...
Such a simple idea--yet so fiendishly complex in the execution.24, as surely everyone ... more
knows by now, is a thriller that takes place over 24 hours, midnight to midnight, in 24 one-hour episodes (well, 45-minute episodes if you extract the ad breaks). Eve...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Such a simple idea--yet so fiendishly complex in the execution.24, as surely everyone ... more
knows by now, is a thriller that takes place over 24 hours, midnight to midnight, in 24 one-hour episodes (well, 45-minute episodes if you extract the ad breaks). Eve...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
24 is an innovative television drama where the entire series takes place in one day. Each ... more
of the 24 episodes covers one hour told in real time. The first episode begins at midnight on the day of the California Presidential Primary. Jack Bauer (Kiefe...
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Now you can get all episodes of the terrific cartoon series in a box-set containing ... more
seasons one and two. Thundercats have entertained a generation and are still as entertaining today as they were back in the 80's. The first season begins in a distant galaxy the world of Thundera is in crisis. The planet's structure has become unstable and is near collapse. With their destruction imminent Thundera's denizens--known as the Thundercats--escape in a spaceship and plot a course for a new home. While in transit the Thundercats are attacked by evil mutants and their craft is irreparably damaged. Jaga the eldest Thundercat sacrifices himself in order to pilot the ship safely to its destination: Third Earth. The second series picks up with leader of the Thundercats Lion-O suffering a recurring vision. The Thundercats realise that three more Thunderians must have survived the destruction of Thundera! A daring rescue mission pits the Thundercats against the villainous Mumm-Ra who has strengthened his forces of mutants and broadened the range of his dark territories. Can Lion-O save the new Thunderians? Mumm-Ra is powerful and determined to destroy the Thundercats!
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Includes all episodes from Series 1-5! Dr. David Banner is a research scientist trying to ... more
find a way to tap into the hidden strength that all humans possess. Then one night in his labratory an experiment went wrong causing him to be overexposed to gamma radiation. Now whenever angered or distressed the mild-mannered scientist finds himself transforming into a powerful seven-foot green creature known as The Incredible Hulk...
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Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
Advantages: Addictive Disadvantages: Uses hours of your life
...missed the first series of 24 when it was on TV, I had heard some friends talking about it, and saying how compulsive they found it. I found the series so gripping that the promise I had made to myself to only watch the first episode and see how much I enjoyed it was blown out of the water. The first night of watching 24, I suddenly realised that I had watched 6 hours of TV, a very unusual occurrence for me.
What is 24?
...essentially it is about the 24 hours beginning at midnight, on the day of the California Presidential Primary. It follows the story of a few main characters, and the way that their lives become intertwined over the 24 hour period. The first series of 24 is largely set in CTU (The Counter Terrorist Unit) in Los Angeles. CTU is fictional, and is supposed to be a branch of the CIA. One of the main briefs of CTU is to protect America, and Americans from ... more
Recently a friend leant me the first box set of 24, with the warning that I may be glued to my TV set for a few consecutive nights. He was right. Having missed the first series of 24 when it was on TV, I had heard some friends talking about it, and saying how compulsive they found it. I found the series so gripping that the promise I had made to myself to only watch the first episode and see how much I enjoyed it was blown out of the water. The first night of watching 24, I suddenly realised that I had watched 6 hours of TV, a very unusual occurrence for me.
What is 24?
24 is an American made thriller. It has a complex and involved storyline, but essentially it is about the 24 hours beginning at midnight, on the day of the California Presidential Primary. It follows the story of a few main characters, and the way that their lives become intertwined over the 24 hour period. The first series of 24 is largely set in CTU (The Counter Terrorist Unit) in Los Angeles. CTU is fictional, and is supposed to be a branch of the CIA. One of the main briefs of CTU is to protect America, and Americans from terrorist threats.
Real Time and Split Screen
24 is set in “real time” which means that each minute on screen relates to each minute of action in the storyline. The first three episodes start with an announcement that the “events happen in real time” but this is dropped for subsequent episodes, and you do not need to be reminded of that fact. Each episode corresponds to one hour of the story, but there are “missing minutes” on the DVD where advertisement breaks would have been, so when you watch an episode it is actually about 45 minutes.
To help remind you of the time there is an on screen digital clock, which pops up from time to time. The real time nature of the show means that there are lots of storylines taking place at the same time, and sometimes a split screen is used to show what is happening to different characters. This too, is usually accompanied by the on screen clock, and then the action switches to a different sub plot. This real time nature of the program adds a gripping edge, as you can really see how different characters and storylines come together. There are no flash backs, no recalls of conversations, no jumping between time. This means that the storyline has to be perfectly intertwined to ensure that it pieces together accurately. This gives 24 a real edge, but you do occasionally find yourself wondering about different action that would be taking place at certain times, and sometimes you feel that you have missed some of the key narrative between characters.
The split screen is used to great effect on 24. Sometimes it is merely used to keep you up to date with the other storylines, sometimes it is used to shuffle between two plots.
The Storyline
The story begins at midnight on the day of the California presidential primary. Jack Bauer, played magnificently by Keifer Sutherland, is seen at home with his daughter Kimberley and wife, Teri. These family shots help to set the scene for what will eventually turn into the longest day of Jack Bauer’s life. Kimberley appears to have an easy, open relationship with her father, but the relationship with her mother is strained and altogether more difficult. As the first episode develops Kimberley absconds from her family home, and Jack is called into work. Jack is based in CTU, where he leads a counter terrorism team. The first episode sees Jack working closely with Nina Meyers, his chief of staff. In this episode we are also introduced to Senator David Palmer, an African-American presidential candidate, played by Dennis Haysburt.
Without giving too much of the storyline away, we quickly find out that there is an attempted assassination plot on Senator David Palmers life, and Jack Bauer is charged with protecting his life. Jack must also rescue his wife and daughter from the people who are seeking revenge for Jack’s previous involvement in the Balkans.
My thoughts
Compulsive, addictive, thrilling, gripping and exciting are some of the words that I would use to describe this series. The plot is superbly executed, and the use of real time action and split screen only enhance the drama. There were, of course, some “as if” moments. Some moments when I felt like shouting out “he’s behind you” and some where I felt that the plot was getting altogether a little too beyond belief. However, at the end of the 24 hours I felt that the pieces were neatly tied together and like all good thrillers the “as if” moments were forgotten.
At the beginning of each episode there is a short catch up from the previous episode, which is easy to skip through on DVD. The catch up is useful when you have had a break between watching episodes, as it manages to squeeze all the key features of the previous episode into a couple of minutes. It also helps to clarify any parts of the program that you may have missed. However, when watching one episode after the next, in true addictive style, I found that I just skipped through the catch ups.
There are lots of twists and turns in the plot, but these twists are explained and you are left satisfied that they are justified in their existence. The pace of action is fast, and sometimes clues to the plot are shown merely by a gesture or facial expression. The quality of acting is, on the whole, superb. Keifer Sutherland makes an excellent CTU agent. His character has a history, and that helps to make Jack Bauer all the more believable. He is skilled, and is not afraid of going with his moral convictions. Dennis Haysbert who takes the role of David Palmer, the Senator running for President, also plays a very convincing role. He is thoughtful, intelligent and reminds me of the role that Morgan Freeman played in Deep Impact, calmly taking on difficult decisions.
The only piece of acting I took real exception to was that of Dennis Hopper, who plays the villain Victor Drazen. His accent was not realistic, his acting was a little cardboard, and I felt it let part of the storyline down.
I would recommend 24 to anyone who likes a good thriller and has a spare day.
Additional Info
Number of discs ~ 6 Run Time 999 minutes Classification 15 There is an alternative ending to Series One, but in order to review this more fully, I would have to give the original storyline away! It is worth watching though. There is also a Series 2 preview. I have to admit that this gives little away about Series 2. Price on Amazon £22.97, or new and used from £14
Advantages: The whole thing is pure brilliance Disadvantages: Too long a wait between boxset releases
...welcoming into the world of 24 was slightly by fluke, on my way to work i had heard radio djs rave about this new series, similar to what i heard about Heroes a few years later. They were saying this guy Jack Bauer played by Kiefer Sutherland, was a bit of a legend and they couldnt stop going on about it. Clearly when something impresses you so much to broadcast it on air, it requires checking out at least. But as my main concern at that time was ... ...to detail the plot with 24 as progression is made throughout the day and the finale may have little or no bearing on what occurs at the start but i will endeavour to bring the idea over here to give you a taste of what is happening.
Word arrives into the counter terrorist unit (CTU) based in LA at midnight that there will be an assassination attempt today on black presidential candidate David Palmer. Director Jack Bauer is called at his home, that ...
Capodon 15.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 24 - Series 1 - Complete (Box Set) (DVD)
Advantages: Great acting, exciting, good effects Disadvantages: Not really 24 hours! Slower paced than newer seasons
...watching a single episode of 24 right up to the current season (7). I'd seen the adverts but it was completely not my thing. I hate movies like that, and I hate TV shows along the same lines even more. For some reason I decided to give season 7 a go as so many people were looking forward to it coming back on - and, much to my annoyance, I got completely hooked and ended up buying all the boxsets so I could catch up.
I ended up watching the entire ... ...So, what's different about 24 from other shows in the same genre? Well, the quite obvious fact that it's all in real time! Sortof, anyway. Each episode is about 45 minutes long, so there are a few time jumps where adverts would be. This is a bit odd when you're watching the DVD as three times an episode you will suddenly lose five minutes. This is a bit irritating at first, but you get used to it. I originally couldn't really see why having it in ...
hi_nicola 28.04.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 24 - Series 1 - Complete (Box Set) (DVD)
Advantages: 17 and a half hours of tense action and atmosphere Disadvantages: Nothing! It is perfect! (Except maybe some more extras would be nice...)
I first heard about 24 in a DVD review in a magazine. They said it was the best Drama they had ever witnessed! It was some time later that Season 2 started on TV. Remembering the review I thought to myself that I will give it a go! After 40 minutes of staring at the Tele with wide eyes and adrenaline pumping through my veins I was hooked! I watched the second episode the next week and it was the greatest 40 minutes of my life! Wow this is good!
... ...one go.
Structure
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24 has a unique structure that really defines the series from everything else. The series consists of 24 episodes each representing 1 hour in real time. There is a digital clock with a high-tech ticking that appears constantly so you can see what the time is in the programme. This is very important as important times are often mentioned. Normally when the clock appears the screen divides into ...
liquidus1000 09.12.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 24 - Series 1 - Complete (Box Set) (DVD)
Advantages: Fast moving, thrilling Disadvantages: none, scary though!
...work to watch my new 24 box set in 1 sitting! I got plenty of supplies to keep me going for the day; pizza, cidar, doritos and dip!! I first got into 24 during the first series, however I missed some episodes and it wasn't till the second series that I watched every week. I saw this box set in Tesco for £24!! At just £1 per hour, I thought it was too good to miss...
24 is a creative, revolutionary television program - '24' (representing the number ... ...has lead to a favourite 24 drinking game amongst fans! You down a shot every time he says it - and in extreme situations like chase sequences, Jack sometimes says 'Damn it, damn it' as Keifer Sutherland knows about this game and wants to get the fans steamin!
Here are some of the best quotes from this season...
Quotes:
Jack Bauer: You can look the other way once, and it's no big deal, except it makes it easier for you to compromise the next time, ...
LADYFUCHSIA 24.11.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 24 - Series 1 - Complete (Box Set) (DVD)
Advantages: An original concept, good acting. Disadvantages: It's addictive
...the highly acclaimed TV drama 24 starring Keifer Sutherland as the now infamous Jack Bauer.
Let's see where to start:
The longest day of Jack Bauer's life begins at just turned midnight on the day of the presidential primaries, slowly at first, he is relaxing playing chess with his daughter Kimberly. There is no tension in these first scenes, we get some inclination that there is lots of history to this guy, this Jack Bauer guy, and over the course ... ...the course of the next 24 hours events too.
Kimberly heads off to bed and we feel an undercurrent of conflict between the mother and daughter as Jack gets a call from work. Jack leads the team at CTU - the counter-terrorist unit of the government, he gets to work to find that there has been an assassination threat on one of the candidates for the presidential election, David Palmer.
The plot is massive and very complex, twisting and turning at ...
kitty17 25.02.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of 24 - Series 1 - Complete (Box Set) (DVD)
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Advantages: Original and exciting Disadvantages: series two: Kim
I heard about this programme a few years ago when it was advertised on Sky One but I never got around to watching it as I missed the first few episodes, and after that, you really can't just pick it up. I eventually got round to watching the first season when my sister bought it on DVD along with the second and third season. We had open minds and decided to give this cyber action/thriller a go. Well what can I say, we were amazed. 24 has all the makings of a superb series and the first season is full of twists and revelations that had me surprised until the very end.
Ok, I will get to the point now, 24 is a real time epic which focuses on the life of CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit) agent Jack Bauer in Los Angeles. Each episode focuses on one hour in his very eventful day. We meet characters that we don't know if we can trust them ...
Advantages: Lots of 24 Disadvantages: Not enough time in the day
I didnt watch any of 24 on the TV but my boyfriend recommended it to me and ever since that day i have been hooked. This is the best TV show i have ever seen and am totally addicted. This boxset of all 3 seasons was expensive but well worth the money. I think i watched all 3 seasons in the space of 2 weeks and considering how many episodes there are, that is alot of TV viewing.
Each season takes a look at terrorist threats. Jack Bauer played by the brilliant Keifer Sutherland works at CTU 'counter terrorist unit'. Each series takes place over 24 hours so each episode equates to 1 hour. It is up to CTU on each doomed day to save the US from terrorist activity.
Lets take a breakdown look at each season;
Season 1 - Information is leaked to CTU informing them that there is a terrorist plot to assassinate David Palmer (Dennis ...
Advantages: best tv show ever! really gripping storyline! Disadvantages: its a longggg show - 24 times 45 min episodes per season
portrays events that are realistic and that could happen in today's society, unlike other TV productions such as James Bond in which one man alone saves the day from hundreds of villains pulling out unbelievable gadgets that make it a childish watch.
However, having said all the positives about 24, the main drawback would be the consumption of time. 24, as the title suggests, lasts 24 hours. The running time is a little less as each episode lasts 1 hour on American TV only, as they show 15 minutes of advertisements per hour of TV aired. Therefore each episode actually lasts around 45 minutes. So that means each season lasts around 18 hours!!! And there are 3 seasons in this boxset. That's 3 different suspense and action filled seasons that will have you entirely gripped to the storyline, but will also use up 54 hours of life. Also, if you ...
Jack Bauer is a Federal agent who heads up the Counter Terrorist Unit. He is given the task of preventing an assassination attempt on Presidential candidate, Senator David Palmer. The 'assassin' is believed to be working on the inside of the Government and Jack may trust no-one. When Jack's family are abducted and the authorities suspect Jack of attempted murder, he turns to colleague Nina Myers who is his friend and confidant... Filmed in real time, Jack faces the worst twenty-four hours of his life as he battles for the recovery of his family and a government mole.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment; Deluxe Video Service - Fox
Dennis Hopper, Mia Kirshner, Lou Diamond Phillips, Ron Howard
Languages
Main Language
English
Hearing Impaired Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Alternate Ending, Trailer - 1. Season Two Preview
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 2.0
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 2.0 English
DVD Description
Follow 24 hours in the life of federal agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) in this innovative television series. Consisting of 24 hour-long episodes, the show uses split screens and a 'real-time' clock to tell a tense interweaving story that involves Bauer, his wife (Leslie Hope) and daughter (Elisha Cuthbert), a presidential candidate (Dennis Haysbert) targeted for assassination, and many others. This set includes every episode of the thrilling first season.
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