Search - 24 - Season 2 (Slim - Pack) on DVD

Should have ended at hour 16

Joseph Boone | Irvine, CA United States | 12/02/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Season 2 follows Jack Bauer as he tries to stop a nuclear bomb from exploding in the city of Los Angeles in addition to preventing a war of retaliation springing from that same event. Most of the cast from the first season is back including the now-President David Palmer and his ex-wife Sherry. Jack's daughter Kim and the crew from CTU including villain Nina Meyers all are present and accounted for. I won't reveal much of the story specifics because too much of the enjoyment of 24 revolves around the unexpected twists and turns of the plot. Suffice it to say, that the viewer is kept guessing about much of what is going on and Jack is put through a very bad day indeed.

As with 24 - Season One, there are some real highs and lows here. Jack himself is great and the show is at its best when we watch him do what he does best. President Palmer, played by Dennis Haysbert, has great presence and is always compelling to watch. The struggle to find the nuke and stop it from killing millions of people is riveting and provided for some very exciting moments. Unfortunately, that story is resolved in episode 16 along with virtually every other plot thread and then the show tries to start a whole new series of stories revolving around a war to retaliate against three countries that may have been involved in the plot to nuke LA. The season really loses steam at this point and almost every aspect feels extremely contrived and unrealistic. Instead of building to a great climax, it wheezes across the finish line like an out of shape marathon runner. I know it wouldn't have the same marketing pizzazz but they honestly should have named this season "16" and finished after 16 hours. It would have made for a far stronger product.

The worst aspect of Season 2 is undoubtedly Kim Bauer and her increasingly unlikely story where she meets and is threatened by what appears to be every psychotic in the greater LA area and even a mountain lion thrown is for good measure. There is no connection whatsoever to the main story, she's just there for Jack to worry about and, apparently, to annoy viewers. One plot that was somewhat interesting was civil unrest and rioting related to the bomb but after several scenes building tension on this point it simply fades away unresolved and forgotten. Other flaws include CTU headquarters apparently having no restrictions to family and friends walking around at will, a phony urgency to retaliate with hours of the nuke or never, and more.

The funny thing about 24 is that you can point out endless flaws that are silly and easily avoidable yet the show's twists and turns largely carry you through them on sheer momentum. Kiefer Sutherland is fantastic in the lead role and also helps viewers ignore most of the worst flaws. Still, there's no question the show would be far less frustrating and more enjoyable if the writers would dig a little deeper and make a more honest effort to provide less contrived situations and an understanding of national security that surpasses that of the average 12 year old. I do recommend this season of 24, but only to those who are willing to accept some frustration with their entertainment."

Kim: walking World War 3

David McNally | glasgow, scotland | 01/28/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I usually like to calm down a little before writing a review, which accounts for why this is getting 4 stars, not 5, and also why I'm turning this review in a good 4 years after I originally watched the thing. For ages afterward something was bothering me about this series and when I figured out what it was it made me a happy man, so I'd like to share it with the community. It's this: Kim. Yes she's perky, yes she's wholesome, but she also happens to be every Friday the 13th rolled into one. I mean, accused of murder and kidnapping, involved in a near-fatal car crash and a gas-station siege and then held hostage by a millenial wack-job, all on a day when her father specifically told her to stay out of trouble? The cougar was just the icing. What I did when I figured this out was, I went back and watched the whole thing again, skipping right past all the Kim-related tomfoolery - it was way shorter and roughly about a million times better, trust me, try it out. Still doesnt get 5 stars though.
(This review refers to the non-Kim version)"