Just released on DVD is 24: Redemption, the 2 hour Season 7 prequel movie of Fox’s 24. If Redemption is any indication of what’s to come in Day 7, then fans of Jack Bauer are sure in for a treat when the show returns this January.
Not only will the seventh season be a departure from the show’s typical Los Angeles setting (in Washington D.C.), but 24 Redemption is set in South Africa. We find Jack Bauer attempting to find peace, presumably from all that has happened to him over the years. The former CTU agent is doing missions work in the fictional African nation of Sengala. But if you know Jack, you know that peace doesn’t stay around him too long.
Jack finds himself in the middle of a revolution by a rebel militia that wants to overthrow the government. Not only are they attempting this coup, but they’re enlisting the help of children soldiers. And the group is targeting the school where Jack is volunteering. Naturally, Jack has become quite attached to the children here and takes it upon himself to free them from the deadly terrorists. And as if this wasn’t enough, Jack has been subpoenaed to appear before the Senate to answer for the interrogation techniques that he’s employed over the years.
Occurring simultaneously in Washington D.C. is the inauguration of the first female President, Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones), who is taking the mantle from President Daniels. We come to find out that Taylor’s son is friends with someone involved terrorist conspirators, lead by Jonas Hodges (Jon Voight).
Utilizing the real time format, the film spans 2 hours. It features everything that 24 is known for, costly on-location scenes and controversial topics. I have to give Howard Gordon (the film’s writer) props for even concepting such a risky propisition; it take s guts to bet that viewers and advertisers would be receptive to a film about child violence.
But 24 Redemption was a welcome and exciting reintroduction to the show and worked perfectly as a standalone movie.
The bonus features on the 2 Disc set are what you’d typically see on 24 DVD release. You have a cast and crew commentary, a “making-of” featurette and a look at what’s to come.
Commentary and Making-Of: The set includes an extended cut of the film which features commentary of Kiefer Sutherland, writer Howard Gordon and director/producer Jon Cassar. Both the commentary and making-of provide a great look at how the film was brought together as well as the many challenges faced during writing and shooting.
24 Season 6 in Four Minutes: This is your usual Cliff notes version of the show’s previous season. I think most of us fans want to forget Season 6 existed, so I predict you won’t be watching this.
Blood Never Dry: Child Soldiers in Africa : The backstory in Redemption is the sad saga of children soldiers being forced to fight. The featurette is pretty informative and is a concise 15 minute documentary on the sad state of affairs in Africa. The facts and figures are supplemented with the show’s cast reading letters written by kids that actually were forced to fight.
First Look at Season 7:
This is the first featurette that everyone is going to watch. You can watch the first 17 minutes of the season 7 premiere.
I was a little skeptical of 24’s return to TV given the lackluster sixth season as well as the amount of time that it’s been off the air. But 24 Redemption proved that Jack Bauer still delivers the goods and that he deserves a clean slate when the show returns in January.
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