Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1361 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-08-08
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Box set, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 7
• Running time: 999 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Hard to believe, but after all these years, 24 is as vital and compulsive as it always was. For this fourth series, the rules are still the same: all the action takes place in real time, and the series again follows a single day in the life of Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland).

Fortunately, Jack’s knack of attracting trouble hasn’t deserted him either, and quickly, it’s business as usual. Starting the series with a fresh romance, a different job and one heck of an explosion, it doesn’t take long before Jack is back in action, and he’s soon joined by a mixture of new and familiar faces.

To talk about the plot would be unfair, as 24 is consistently a dish best served cold. Suffice to say that there’s a heady mix of plotlines, twists and downright brilliant cliffhangers. Perhaps the cocktail isn’t as fresh as it once was, and there are moments where you can’t help but feel that plausibility is being stretched a little too far. But accepting that is part and parcel of the 24 experience, and arguably part of the fun.

That’s because even as it approaches its final stages, 24: Series 4 maintains a tremendous momentum and level of intrigue, and by the time the clock ticks for the last time at the end of the 24th episode, odds are you’ll be thirsting for more. Bluntly, in spite of its flaws, 24 remains one of the most essential shows currently on television--and this series offers ample evidence why.--Simon Brew

Synopsis
A revolutionary innovative show in terms of both form and content since its debut in 2001, 24 has been hooking more and more viewers ever since with its thrilling, multifaceted plotlines that never fail to surprise. Follow 24 hours in the life of federal agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), the head of the Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU). Consisting of 24 hour-long episodes, the show uses split screens and a 'real-time' clock to tell a tense interweaving story. Season four opens with Bauer, now fired by the CTU, working for the Secretary of Defence, James Heller. This particular morning Jack finds himself at a meeting with Erin Driscoll, the new CTU Director of Operations when an explosion on a city train has them working on tracking down the terrorist cell operating in the city. Rumour has it that it is the work of Turkish terrorists. When the Secretary of Defence is kidnapped with his daughter, Jack becomes a CTU agent once more. His investigations lead him to Navi Araz who runs the terrorist cell which plans to launch a nuclear attack on the city. Bower is back...

Customer Reviews

More amazing action with Jack Bauer...
24 must be one of the best TV shows around. Incredibly exciting, with complex plots, great special effects, and top-notch acting, this is literally edge-of-your-seat television.

Season 4 was not my favourite season, but it was still fantastic. Unlike seasons 2 & 3, it gets going straight away, with a massive train explosion in the first minutes, and you immediately become gripped by the action. The pace is maintained for the first 12 or so episodes, but halfway through it does slow down and begins to drag slightly in comparison. However, even 24 at its slowest is still faster-paced than most shows, and the action soon picks up again with some cracking final episodes that had me actually biting my nails.

As usual the regular actors all do a great job - Jack is intense and sexy, Tony does a brilliant job of portraying a hurt and confused man on the edge of giving up, and Chloe is consistently hilarious in her own off-beat way. The new characters are a bit more hit and miss - Erin Driscoll and Edgar Stiles are both brilliantly portrayed, but Marianne is very cliched, Curtis is boring without any personality, and Audrey is a little annoying - she appears shocked every time Jack has to hit someone.

Overall though it's amazing television, and the sort of programme that once you've bought the boxset, you'll end up watching about 6 episodes in a row because it's so exciting.

The boxset itself is attractively presented - a plastic book-style design with a glossy cover and a cardboard slipcase. I also have to say a word about the special features - WOW! An entire extra disc of features includes:

-Breaking Ground: Building the New CTU (approx 18 minute documentary on building the CTU set and shooting there)
-Blood on the Tracks (approx 15 min documentary on shooting the train explosion, including interviews with the directors and special effects guys)
-Lock and Load (short documentary on the weapons used)
-Nissan Short Film (a beautiful 20 minute promotional film - not much relevance to 24 though!)
-24 The Game (Kiefer Sutherland introduces a behind the scenes look at the PS2 game)
-The Longest Day music video (video for the trance version of the 24 theme)
AND A MASSIVE 40 deleted scenes, which can be watched with or without commentary from director Jon Cassall. Many of them are several minutes long and include entirely new characters or subplots. They also clear up lots of loose ends, such as what happened to Behrooz.

A word of warning though - try not to look at the pictures on the DVD menus, as they often show scenes from the ends of episodes, and can give some of the plot away. Other than that, buy it and enjoy!

EXCELLENT
If you haven't watched 24 before shame on you! Do not watch season 4 if you haven't watched the previous seasons, Season 4 is as brilliant as the earlier 3 seasons, very fast paced and intense drama, Kiefer is truly an outstanding actor and brings the character of Jack Bauer alive. This show has a great cast, with each character giving 110% to the show.
Every episode just leaves you wanting more, it is a great and exciting concept. I can't wait for season 5!

Jack's Back
I've watched 24 from the start and I have to say in terms of action and drama this season may well be the best. The previous season was a little dissapointing due to a lack of decent storylines for both Palmer and Kim but this more than makes up for it. The writers have went all out to add layer upon layer of explosive incidents and indeed they must be applauded for still producing such brilliant twists after four seasons. True, it may seem a little far fetched to have all these terrorists activities occuring in 24 hours but put your cynical nature aside and enjoy 24 gripping hours of TV drama. Roll on season 5.