Disc Reviews
24: Live Another Day Blu-ray Review
Jack Bauer is back after several years away from screens. And the last time we saw Jack he was on the run again at the end of season 8 (like he had to do at the end of season 4). But instead of having to hide from the Chinese government he this time had to hide from the Russians.
Several years later and focus for the first time shifts out of the states for the entirety of the series and lands us down in London.
24 returnees includes James Heller (William Devane), now promoted to President of the United States, on a visit to London to discuss drone warfare with the UK’s Prime minister (Stephen Fry). Also along for the trip is Heller’s daughter and Jack’s former beau, Audrey (Kim Raver).
Of course it isn’t long before a terrorist group throw a spanner in the works and all hell breaks loose. Enter Jack.
Yes jack is back in the mix and before we know it we are trapped in another day of mayhem, political intrigue, back stabbing, betrayal, torture, murder, greed and.. oh you know the score by now!
24: LAD changes tactics slightly by reducing the episodes to 12. Each show is still set in an hour (save for the last episode which then skips ahead 12 hours at the end) so the format is largely the same.
The returning cast slip back into their roles effortlessly. Chloe O’Brien is perhaps the most changed of the lot. You need only look back at her annoying desk hockey of series 3 to see just how drastically her character has changed.
As Bauer, Kiefer Sutherland is in great shape and once again lets his eyes do as much telling as his body does shooting, running and punching.
There is an interesting supporting cast of characters that help the season stand out. Although the UK based operations is largely filled with an American cast. Jack is given a new sidekick to drag around and inspire – but it’s a bit of a reminder of the one he got a couple of seasons back. There are other aspects of the show that will remind people of the common traits and tactics of the show as well. Some will bring joy to the viewer; others will make you wince at the idea that the show hasn’t grown out of using the same cheap tricks to propel the story onward.
Sutherland aside though, the biggest pleasure the show has is William Devane as James Heller. Devane was always worth watching whenever he appeared on the show (since his introduction in Season 4) but his return after a few season’s absence is most welcome, especially in the capacity as President. It’s new ground for the character, but also allows Devane to really show you just how much he commands the screen when on it.
The extras are fairly thin on the ground –which is a shame as this is a big return for the series. There are a few short behind the scenes featurettes that talk about the London location, the themes and ideas explored in comparison to threats in the real world (Drone warfare), but nothing truly substantial. The one extra that does stand out though is a short “Solitary” which features 24 Alumni Tony Almeida (a returning Carlos Bernard) where we get to catch up with his character after last seeing him in season 7. It’s a welcome return for that character and opens up the possibility for his return in the future.
All in all it is a welcome return for the show. It hits some strong heights not reached since season 5.But there is still some parts of the formula that threaten to stale the franchise for good if they don’t get the mechanics into turnaround soon. Reducing the show to 12 episodes certainly helps stave off repetition in the narrative. Fingers crossed they continue to be brave and make brave choices again with another mini-series somewhere else in the world and broaden Jack’s world beyond his LA and CTU roots.
Steven Hurst