24: Redemption (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

“For 24 fans, the return of Jack Bauer not only has revived interest in the series after a long hiatus but the two-hour special ‘24: Redemption’ kicks off Season 7 with more than just a bang. This special shows us why ‘24′ continues to be one of the most innovative and explosive action-packed dramas on network television!”

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DVD TITLE: 24: Redemption

DURATION: 102 minutes (extended version), 87 minutes (broadcast version)

DVD INFORMATION: NTSC, Region 1, Widescreen, 1:78:1, 5.1 Dolby Surround

COMPANY: 20th Century Home Entertainment

Directed by Jon Cassar

Written by Howard Gordon

Created by Joel Surnow & Robert Cochran

Produced by Michael Klick

Music by Sean Callery

Edited by Scot Powell, A.C.E.

Production Designs by Joseph Hodges, Henri Du Rand

Director of Photography - Rodney Charters, ASC CSC,

Starring:

Kiefer Sutherland (Jack Bauer)

Robert Carlyle (Carl Benton)

Gil Bellows (Frank Tramell)

Jon Voight (Jonas Hodges)

Mary Lynn Rajskub (Chloe O’Brian)

Janeane Garofalo (Janis Gold)

Cherry Jones (President Allison Taylor)

Carlos Bernard (Tony Almeida)

James Morrison (Bill Buchanan)

Annie Wersching (Renee Walker)

Colm Feore (Henry Taylor)

Bob Gunton (Ethan Kanin)

Rhys Coiro (Sean Hillinger)

Jeffrey Nordling (Larry Moss)

24:Redemption is the unprecedented feature-length event from television’s most provocative and suspenseful series.  After sacrificing everything for his country, Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) stands to lose the only thing he has left-his freedom.  Wanted by the U.S. government and working as a missionary in Africa, Bauer must stop a ruthless warlord from drafting innocent children into his murderous militia.  But first Bauer must confront hid own torturous past and face an impossible decision that will change his life forever.  Filmed in location in Afirca, 24:Redemption features performances by Oscar Winner Jon Voight and Robert Carlysle.

It has been two years since we have seen the likes of Jack Bauer and with the highly anticipated season 7 of the popular FOX drama “24″ coming back on FOX in Jan. 2009, what better than to kick the new season off with a two-hour special.

The question of what has happened to Jack Bauer after the events of Season 6 is answered in this special.

The former CTU agent doesn’t want to be found and has been traveling the world and keeping a low profile.  Now he’s in Africa helping a friend from a former special force unit, Carl Benton who now runs an orphanage.

Both Jack and Carl have a similar past with their training in the special forces and having a background of saving many lives but killing many people.  But Benton has moved on and not runaway from his demons and to help orphans in Africa and to protect them.

But as Jack was starting to feel comfortable in Africa, unfortunately, the US government has tracked him down in Africa with a subpoena to face charges of unethical use of torture on a terrorist prisoner.  Of course, Jack has no intention of going back to the US and decides to move on again.

Elsewhere in Africa, a militia is kidnapping children and forcing them to become soldiers. With more soldiers needed, the militia sets their sights on the orphanage.  Next thing you know, the militia leader receives a phone call from America and thus you learn that a major figure in the US government is collaborating with the bad guys.

Meanwhile in the US, it is a special day as incoming President Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones) is to be inaugurated.  Unfortunately for her, outgoing President (Powers Boothe) makes one more presidential decision and knowing what is happening in Africa, he evacuates all Americans from Africa and closes down the US embassy because of the militia usurping their powers.  Taylor is against that decision but what’s done is done.

Without US support, the militia knows that the orphanage has no protection and ends up killing two children from the orphanage but determined to kidnap the rest.  Of course, Jack Bauer is there to make sure these children will be protected from harm and thus sets up a confrontation between Bauer (with some help from Benton) and some members of the militia.

“24: Redemption” is just an awesome two-hour special that features great storytelling, beautiful scenery but also tons of action.

This has to be unprecedented for a TV drama to film in another country but also including the Africans in the actual special as actors (and you can learn much more through the director’s commentary on the DVD).

As always, Kiefer Sutherland is always impressive as Jack Bauer and great performances throughout the board.  The African children did a great job in their roles and I give credit to the “24 staff for bringing in actor John Voight to play the role as the corrupted person in the government.

As mentioned, the cinematography capturing the scenery was just great.  The staff managed to capture the beauty and danger of Africa despite the many challenges faced during the shooting schedule.  I was truly impressed.

The storyline was just engaging, action-packed and thrilling from start to finish.  Needless to say, I can’t wait for Season 7.

As for the DVD, the DVD features two versions of “Redemption”.  The broadcast version and the extended version which has over 10 minutes of extra footage).  The extra footage are mainly dialogue between the incoming President and outgoing President and scenes that primary taking place in Washington.  You can learn more about the additional scenes from the actual commentary.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“24: Redemption” is featured in widescreen 1:78:1.  The picture quality is vibrant..  Especially when you see the differences of the Africa and the US scenes.  Africa is featured in amber/Earthy hues and looks beautiful.  While the US has a colorful but a different sense color which leans more towards dark bluish hues.  Video quality looked vibrant and colorful.

As for audio, the show is featured in Digital 5.1 Dolby Surround.  Really good audio quality during the fighting sequences in Africa.  Otherwise, the special features mostly dialogue and the dialogue can be heard quite clearly.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

I admit that I was happy to see quite a few specials included on the DVD.  Special features are:

• The Making of 24: Redemption Featurette - This featurette is about 20 minutes long and is actually very good.  Especially if you are a filmmaker.  Director Jon Cassar, writer Howard Gordon and staff are interviewed on how it was to film in Africa but the challenges that they faced.  I was surprised to see how the weather would change in an hour-time. They could be filming and then all of a sudden, they get high winds (up to 60mph), then rain and hail and then sunlight.   So, it was definitely a challenge for them to film but they managed to do it.  But also, an advantage to work with people in South Africa in developing certain mechanical systems for the terrain and also interviews with the African talent.

• “Blood Never Dry”: Child Soldiers in Africa Featurette - In this featurette, cast from the upcoming Season 7 would read a letter from a child soldier and also a featurette that tries to explain why children are being kidnapped and becoming soldiers.  And the trauma they go through and not wanting to go home because they have committed atrocity to so many innocent people that they are deeply burdened by it.  Also, how the militias get these children so addicted to drugs.  This was a very good featurette and truly an eye opener of what is currently going on in Africa.

• Commentary by Executive Producer/Director Jon Cassar and Executive Producers Howard Gordon and Kiefer Sutherland - The commentary was also enjoyable to listen to.  From filming of the scenes to the three talking about various actors and actresses and their experience filming the special.  Also, this is probably how one would learn about scenes that are in the expanded version and are not shown on the broadcast.

• 24 Season 6 in Four Minutes Featurette - For those who missed or forgot what Season 6 is about.  This featurette features what happened during that season in four minutes.

• An Exclusive First Look at 24 Season 7 - I was very impressed by the first 15 minutes of the upcoming “Day 7″ episode of “Season 7″ which will start the “24″ series in Jan. 2009.  A lot of action and what I can I say… Tony Almeida.  It’s starts off awesome and I craved for more!

I have been watching the “24″ series since the first episode and have always been hooked on the series. But this special was one of the finest “24″ storylines and I’m glad to see that the staff went all out in filming this special.  Especially bringing the staff and filming it in Africa was just impressive. “24″ has always been a drama series that has long been admired because it has set the marker so high for a television drama series.

As for this DVD, not only was it fun to watch but if you are a film student or a person that enjoys watching “24: Redemption”, you’ll have a blast on watching how the special was created but most of all certain elements of nature that the staff had to contend with.  Especially during the rain and making it look like sunlight and also the high winds that the staff had to block out during the recording.

Also, a thumbs up for the staff including the featurette on child soldiers. This featurette was definitely an eye-opener and I was really surprised to hear the chilling words from those who soldiers who are in agony of the deaths they have caused and the permanent guilt they have to live with.

And of course, that sneak peak to excite the “24″ fan for a month until the Season 7 begins.

Overall, if you are a “24″ fan, this DVD has so much to offer.  You won’t be disappointed!

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