24: Redemption (2008)

24: Redemption is a television film based on the series 24. It was written by executive producer Howard Gordon and was directed by Jon Cassar. It takes place sometime between the sixth and seventh seasons, in real time between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm in Africa during the Inauguration Day of Allison Taylor,the new President of the United States.The main setting is Sangala, a fictional African country, where Jack Bauer,portrayed by Kiefer Sutherland, tries to find peace with himself, and works as a missionary. Bauer is served a subpoena to appear before the United States Senate regarding human rights violations, but refuses to go, and a shadow organization among the United States government aids General Juma and his militia in a coup d'etat.Robert Carlyle plays Carl Benton, an old friend of Jack Bauer, who runs a school for rescued war orphans.Carlyle suggested that there is a very close friendship between Benton and Bauer, since he seems to let Benton come closer to him than others. Towards the end of the film, he sacrifices himself in order to buy time for Bauer and the children to escape. Gil Bellows plays Frank Tramell, a U.S. State Department official who is ordered to subpoena Bauer.Native South African actor Sean Michael plays Charles Solenz, a UN aid worker helping at Benton's school, and later abandons Benton and the children, claiming that the United Nations is "neutral" in the Sangala conflict.Siyabulela Ramba plays Willie, one of the war orphans under the care of Benton, who befriends Bauer. Ramba felt an emotional connection with Sutherland during filming, and believes their friendship shows through on screen. Isaach De Bankolé plays Ule Matobo, the Prime Minister of the nation, who is forced to evacuate the country during the coup. Among the antagonists in Sangala are General Benjamin Juma (Tony Todd), a former dictator and leader of the People's Freedom Army responsible for genocide in Sangala,and Iké Dubaku (Hakeem Kae-Kazim), one of Juma's lieutenants in the coup. In Washington, Cherry Jones plays Allison Taylor, the first woman to be inaugurated President of the United States. Among the antagonists in Washington are Jon Voight, who plays Jonas Hodges, a villain involved in a Blackwater-type organization.The TV movie is a more sober, stripped-down version of 24, and that's refreshing, and that it was the first time a terrorist threat did not take place in Southern California.Also, the depiction of the conflict in fictional African country Sangala is highly realistic and compelling.What would bother die-hard 24 fans is the lack of action,excitement and many elements that are present in typical 24 episode.But nevertheless,it still is one great film to watch.

The opening sequence caught my attention and it was a completely different production style for "24", which makes this different from all the other seasons.Jack Bauer has had many hectic days in his lifetime. Still Kiefer Sutherland manages to make you walk each scene with him.!**(SPOILERS)**! I loved the reveal in the beginning, when the boy stole his knife. In this short time I managed to care about Jack's friend and the children, which was why I loved this installment. Though I believed at first that his friend acted carelessly when he stepped on that land mine and it became obvious that they only placed him there to get rid of the army of men after Jack, but still, I felt Jack's loss. His expression when he realized that the blast he heard meant the end of his friend's life was beautifully played.I actually love these kinds of story lines. I loved the color differentiation from Africa to the US. When in Africa there was the orange color and in the US-blue, which separated each location.I loved this installment. The only thing I had a problem with was the short time used to warm up to some characters that died in the end and the boy that Jack refused to kill who kept repeating that one-liner from the opening scene; it was just too corny for me. Other than that I actually picture an interesting day. At some points I actually forget that all of these action sequences occur in one day. I am definitely looking forward for the next episode. This was actually a big risk for "24", taking on a different production style, set in South Africa, because at the end of the day it all comes down to whether or not the viewers would be able to adapt to this kind of plot line and I would say the writers pulled it off, I certainly enjoyed it.___________________________ Four out of Five stars ___________________________

"24:Redemption" is a movie version of the much loved TV series. It picks up the story with Jack in Africa, hiding from the Government who wants to bring him in and charge him with his use of torture on suspects. While in Africa Jacks hooks up (not in that way) with an old colleague (played by Robert Carlyle from that movie about the guys who become strippers) who is running a shelter to help young men and protect them from rebels who want to recruit them for their armies.As normally happens, trouble finds Jack and soon the lives of his friend and the boys are under threat. Once again, Jack can't turn his back on baddies and helping victims, so he gets involved. Will he be redeemed? Will he risk all to save the innocent? See it to find out.Not bad, but any "24" missing Chloe, Tony and Edgar is going to be up against it. Don't think the format really worked for the show, as it obviously all happened a bit quick. Keifer really seemed to mail it in too. It's a bridge to the next series, which will see Jack on trial. I caught the preview on the special features and it looks OK, will probably give it a go.

It is going to be difficult to maintain the exceptional standards "24" has set over the years, however this feature length episode doesn't quite deliver as hoped. Re-worked formulas shows lack of creative imagination, something previous Seasons have (mostly) avoided. The script isn't as sharp as normal, possibly targeted at a less astute audience, and the characters lack subtlety. Too many bullets miraculously missing Jack and a sense of deja-vu. Whilst Robert Carlyle puts in a very credible performance, less believable is the UN Aid worker who is so crassly portrayed. Hopefully Season 7 will see improvement.