reviewed by Rissi C.
      

Coming from someone who has not seen season six or five and just getting ready to begin season four, this two hour television event that bridges the gap between season six and the highly anticipated season seven is superb! Acting has not suffered in the timeframe nor have the screenwriters taken any “breaks" -- everything is still pulse-pounding action providing its viewer with a wonderful new addition to the 24 series.

Two years of running, two years of avoiding anything and anyone, two years of his life has been destroyed. Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) has been dodging a subpoena from the U.S. government for the last twenty four months after being accused of using unapproved torture methods to extract information from an informant. Jack has most recently been in Africa working at a school for boys run by his former friend Carl Benton (Robert Carlyle) whom he served with in Special Forces. Just when Jack has been reminded that he has a debt to pay to America and plans to leave for the good of everyone at the school, an African general begins kidnapping young boys to serve in his armed forces. Jack has no choice but to remain.

Meanwhile, the United States is about to witness a milestone of its own the swearing in of a female president. Senator Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones) has just learned that the outgoing president has ordered all U.S. citizens and military to evacuate from Africa, which angers President-elect Taylor since she was not consulted. Wanting to find out what the current president is keeping from her, she authorizes her people to find out, little knowing that her son has unwillingly entered into something that could jeopardize lives.

I will be one of the first people to admit that 24 is intense, so much so in fact that it can be bothersome. This television film is no different than the series, although there is not a lot of physical fighting as much as pure destruction that often results in death. However, the mental knowledge regarding what is about to happen to the characters can be intense. Children are bullied into thinking the commanders who have them hostage will make them “strong." Into their minds are planted hated for whites, whom they call “cockroaches." This constant influence makes them almost like robots. Two children are shot, one survives (we assume). Jack eliminates several men with dynamite and guns. He is captured, briefly tortured (with a hot knife to his ear), and thrown around. Another character ends up sacrificing his life by stepping on a land mine. We hear the explosion.

When evacuating, we see a huge crowd of people outside the U.S. embassy; all of them are desperate and are calling to be taken out of Africa. A boy kills a man in the first five minutes. All in all for 24 the violence was reasonably tame all things considered (if you don’t believe me, just watch season two which features an extremely graphic torture sequence). Language is sprinkled throughout in various forms. We learn a minor character has been a drug addict and is possibly still using them. A man is tortured (most of it is not seen, only implied) and killed, we see his face as he is buried in cement. Mild sensuality is present when we see a couple dressing; she is in her lingerie and he has only a towel around him; assumptions are they live together.

Even though I haven't seen the last couple of seasons, I caught on quickly without being too confused. If you have just been a sporadic watcher and do not know much, you may want to start at the beginning of the series, as this does require some former knowledge. Redemption is a superb addition and a must for any 24 fan. We learn about sacrifice for the good of others and eventually Jack gives up what he most wants to keep: his freedom. Then there are still characters who can only think of themselves and aren’t about to give up their lives for anyone or anything else. Guest stars are excellent, including veteran Jon Voight, and Eric Lively. The relationships Jack has developed are wonderful. But if you don’t want to be holding your breath for the premiere of season seven DO NOT watch the first seventeen minutes provided on the special features … believe me, you will be counting down to the second.