24 – Season Five
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: B- Episodes: B-
All this
reviewer has to say is Kiefer Sutherland is tremendous…or at least his
character Jack Bauer knows how to get the job done. Under review is the exciting, explosive, and edge
of your seat Fifth Season of 24. This particular season of 24 is not quite the best but holds true
to the ideals and suspense, which has carried the season each year coupled with
the talented cast. The show has always
had that somewhat ‘messed up, dirty look’ that contributes a great deal to the
atmosphere and why viewers love the series.
The writing staff, actors, and setting all are what make the show
wonderful and in this reviewer’s opinion, without Kiefer Sutherland the series
would be nothing, bringing heart and passion to the series in every scene. In this season the body count seems to go up
and up with twists and turns in every episode.
Also in this season the conspiracy theories grow centralizing on Asia’s
Oil Supply at first and moving on to areas of martial law and deep
politics. Overall, this season leaves
audiences begging for more.
24 is a great series that shows no
signs of slowing down any time soon. No
one should be surprised if there is a 24
feature film or if sometime in 15-20 years we see a film take-off of the
series. Kiefer Sutherland has breathed
such life and depth into the character of Jack Bauer that casts him into
television classic greatness.
For new
comers to the series, NOW IS NO THE TIME TO START! This reviewer, however, does recommend that
everyone go out and purchase Season One
of 24 and work their way up. Some Seasons of 24 do have disappointing moments, but on a whole the series is
simply amazing.
The technicals
of this DVD set are seemingly improved from the Season Four release, but still
not the best. The picture is presented
in an anamorphic widescreen 1.78 X 1 format and is quite clear and crisp, but
has similar light/dark issues as observed in the previous Season releases but
not as often. The Sound is presented in
a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround format and Booms! when needed, and conversely
whispers when needed, though there some issues of clearness that evolve at some
points, at times the characters sounding muffled. The extras on this set are interesting as
always.
An array
of extras exists on this set but most revolve around Season Six which is enticing and disappointing at the same
time. Some extras include the ‘Season Six prequel,’ which wets the
audiences appetite on what is to come; which in this reviewer’s opinion was
simply awesome. Other features include a
Season 6 trailer, a featurette
called ‘Supporting Players’ which
goes through the somewhat peripheral characters and their opinion on the series
as well as their contributions. The list
of extras goes on to featurettes such as ‘Unsung
Heroes: Camera Staff,’ ‘Music by Sean
Callery’ which has always given the series a great aura, a good deal of
extended and deleted scenes, a 100th Episode Reel, and a featurette
entitles ‘Logan’s Retreat’ about the
set of 24. Above all else in
the area of extras the most enjoyable features are the commentaries,
highlighting the actors and directories ideas and emotions surrounding the
series. Overall, as with most of the 24 box sets the extras have much to offer.
In the
end, 24 – Season Five contained the
same action, great acting, and suspense as all other seasons, but falls
slightly short of the greatness of Season
Four, which was the shows high point.
Judging from Season Five,
however, Season Six, which premieres
in January 2007, shows great promise.
Jack Bauer is a hero and man of action and this reviewer will never get
tired of his roll on the ground, jump through windows, break faces attitude. Jack Bauer is a not only a simple action
hero, but as the Seasons progress his intelligence and heart shine
through. Only time will tell what the
future holds for the series, but one thing is certain the series will just keep
getting better.
- Michael P Dougherty II
