24: Redemption

"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 exited 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 exiting, 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.

It's been a long time since Jack Bauer was seen on television and the same could be said for 24: Redemption's setting. For years now Jack Bauer has been staying in Africa assisting teacher Carl Benton as they tend to a group of abandoned children in a large house. Somewhere near by a group of rogues are taking children and turning them into little killing machines for their new nation, that is being funded by U.S. Department officer Frank Trammel and Jonas Hodges, if they meet Hodges demands. Trammel gives a disc filled with information about this to Nichols, who disobeys orders and takes the files to his house. Nervous, he seeks the aid of his best friend Roger Taylor, son of the new President Elect of the United States of America Allison Taylor. Back in Africa, the children play a game of soccer but are disrupted by the rogue soldiers, who kill two of them. They arrive at the house but Jack has made sure that the children are hidden safely. Jack makes his moves and gets their attention, they track him down quickly and take him o be tortured nearby so he can tell them about the location of the children. Carl soon finds Jack and assists, before he does assist Jack lies about the location of the children, and kills a few men before they kill him. Before Taylor is inaugurated into presidency she makes her first act to send the military to Africa to keep a hawk eye on it, find any of it's rogue soldiers, and rescue civilians. One Jack and Carl find out about this they try to get the children to the city but encounter a handful of the rogue soldiers on their way, can they make it to the military and get them and the children away? It's great to see 24 return to television. I've waited so long. It was also a nice treat to see Jon Voight( One of my favorite actors) make an appearance on Redemption, as well as the return of Colm Feore and Tony Todd. It was also great to see such an underrated actor like Robert Carlyle as Carl Benton, he did a great job. 24: Redemption is full of emotions but not filled with the most plot twists like the previous seasons have had. But it doesn't hold back the believability aspects and retains it's dark side pretty well. Season 7 of 24 is looking to be a good one, I just cant wait till January of next year. Peace.

"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

First of all, i'm quite surprised to see a camera crew in 1 scene while Jack & Carl escaping into the jungle with the children. It is in 01:06:30. Please check it out. I never thought a good show like 24 could simply made a very silly mistake and risk their show's credibility. In that scene you can clearly 2 person, in black outfit & 1 of them is holding a camera & of course, we can see the camera. The other 1 is wearing a cap. What i can say about 24 this time is, totally frustrated with the show. A show that full of credibility to stand for. The storyline for me is quite good, lack of action but still full of surprises. I thought the show is 2 hour television movie but instead only 1 hour 27 minutes? At least 1 hour 40 minutes, that would nice i think :)

compared to the TV series,this thing is crap.i couldn't get through it,i was so bored.it's just not exciting.there's no real suspense or excitement,at least up to the point i watched.that's really surprising,given the quality of the series.it takes place after season six,and before season seven,so i guess it's a season seven prequel.if you can get through it,i would recommend it,as it does fill in some gaps between the sixth and seventh season.i only know this,because in some scenes they allude to events that must have happened in the movie.for me,though it was just too difficult to get through.my vote for 24:Redemption is a 4/10

Within 5 -10 mins you can predict the whole movie. So shallow and corny. Save your time, watch something else

Here are my comments while trying hard not to reveal too much of the show. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and felt that it was well worth the wait. The change in location was great and it was well filmed, emotions were clearly conveyed -- you feel the despondency and desperation in Sangala, I especially felt this when the last chopper left and the people rushed through the gates. Pacing was good without any moments of over indulgence and with nicely choreographed action scenes. One goof that viewers can look out for is during the chopper attack on Bauer, Ben and the children. They ran for the tree line with the chopper in hot pursuit and firing at them, as they hit the ground for cover you can see a camera man filming and a photographer taking shots on the far left of the screen. This must either have been overlooked during the editing or perhaps they did not have a better take of the scene. The new President looks like a promising personality too (although I did not agree with the choice of the actor/image, especially the hair). I really liked David Palmer and I hope we will see another engaging President in Season 7. This is a great start and I definitely can't wait till Season 7 airs.

24 Redemption is truly awful. Once more I am stunned that the users here, got so lousy taste. You actually think this is a great movie?? Oh my god!! Bad script, no budget = no action, bad acting all around. And the real time really limits the ability to tell a credible story. General Juma is not stopped, the political bad-guys in Washington are not stopped. Jacks surrender to the us-government is ridiculous and unbelievable. That he would give up so easily after being a fugitive for more than a year. Nothing is really explained. And nothing in the story seems related to season 7, witch makes this low-budget crap pointless and unnecessary. If you are a fan of the series, pretend like this TV-movie was never made.

A full length episode of 24, but does it work? Well, I can't help it, but this seems to be kind of rushed. The script and story aren't as good as it should be. I felt kind of bored watching this. Jack seems to be a bit "overpowered" and he seems to have a gift to dodge bullets. Okay I know this happens in a lot, but they kind of over do it here. I like the way that it is real time. Unlike in the series, it seems like it is possible to do all the things they do in the given time period. It doesn't feel the 24ish though, one of the most vital part of 24 CTU is not involved in the movie at all. With that said, it is not that bad. It seems like quite a nice start of the 7th season, and it is nice to get into more details about what has happened between the two seasons. They didn't max out the potential of the movie, the script and story was in my opinion a bit dull. But if you like the series and plan to follow the 7th season, be sure to check this one out.

source: 24: Redemption