HomeTV24: Live Another Day Blu-ray review

24: Live Another Day Blu-ray review

When it was first announced that talks were taking place to bring Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) back to the small screen we werenā€™t sure whether to believe it would ever actually happen. Within weeks the rumours turned into fact and before we knew it 24 was on its way back but in a slightly different format. 24: Live Another Day was announced as a limited series consisting of 12 episodes rather than the usual 24. Set in London, the show would pick up in the present day with Jack in hiding following the events of Day 8 in 2010.

24: Live Another Day blazed onto our screens earlier in the year and after the two hour season premiere it was clear that Jack Bauer meant business. Any doubts or concerns over bringing the much-loved hero back were soon put at ease as 24: Live Another Day proved to be another exhilarating thrill-ride of twists, turns and some serious shocks.

The storyline for 24: Live Another Day sees Jack emerge from exile in London and heā€™s quickly captured by the CIA who have a base in the city led by Steve Navarro (Benjamin Bratt). As Jack is brought into the CIA headquarters, Agent Kate Morgan (Yvonne Strahoski) suspects that something is amiss and realises that Jack is on a mission to save President Heller (William Devane) who is in London with his daughter Audrey (Kim Raver) and is the target of a terrorist attack. With Chloe (Mary Lynn Rajskub) also hiding out in London after her own personal tragedy, can Jack reunite with his former side-kick and save the day once again?

As is always the case with 24 we really canā€™t talk too much about the plot of the season. To do so would be to spoil it for you and 24 thrives on shocking you and going against your expectations. 24: Live Another Day plays to the showā€™s strengths and is easily 24ā€™s strongest season in years. The new 12 episode format works well allowing the writers to focus on moving the story along at a speedy pace without having to add too many sub-plots to fill the 24 episodes like they did in the showā€™s first 8 seasons. The end result is a truly thrilling watch that is 24 at its finest.

24: Live Another Day features many of the key elements youā€™d expect from 24 such as the ticking clock, the split-screen action and some truly remarkable special effects. It proves once again that it isnā€™t afraid to shock the audience and no character on the show is safe. Expect for your jaw to hit the floor throughout the season and get the hankies at the ready.

At the heart of 24 of course is the incredible Kiefer Sutherland who slips back into the role of Jack Bauer with seemingly relative ease. His chemistry with Mary Lynn Rajskub who plays Chloe is as strong as ever and itā€™s a real delight to see the two together again. Outside of those two actors William Devane reprises his role as James Heller, the new President of the US, and he puts in a superb performance. Also worthy of note are new cast additions Yvonne Strahovski as Agent Kate Morgan who gives us a glimpse at what a female Jack Bauer may be like and Michelle Fairley as the seasonā€™s antagonist Margot Al-Harazi who holds your attention with her icy cool performance.

For itā€™s Blu-ray release, 24: Live Another Day is packed with extra features including deleted/extended scenes and several featurettes. Destination: London takes you behind-the-scenes of the season showing the location filming in London.

24: Live Another Day is simply fantastic. Having Jack Bauer back on our screens is a real pleasure and the new season reminds you why you fell in love with the show during its original run. Thereā€™s plenty of scope for the show to continue and rumour has it that talks are taking place to commission another 12 episode season in the near future. We hope itā€™s true because 24 is one of the best TV shows that has ever graced our screens and 24: Live Another Day was a showcase for the show at its absolute finest.

Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip is the owner and Editor of Entertainment Focus, and the Managing Director of PiƱata Media. With over 19 years of journalism experience, Pip has interviewed some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world. He is also a qualified digital marketing expert with over 20 years of experience.

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