Film:
After two enormously successful and high-quality seasons, many fans of Jack Bauer naturally wondered, and rightly so, whether the creators of "24" would be able to maintain the high level of the series in its third year. The doubts were quite justified, there were also in season 1 and 2 again and again superfluous plot lines and annoying side characters, which have never really harmed the positive overall picture of the series. The first episode of the third season initially promises only good things, because the makers have dared a bold step to give the series some freshness. The plot takes place three years after the end of the second season and Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) not only has to deal with the threat of a deadly virus that terrorists are trying to unleash in America, but also has to battle inner demons, a consequence of experiences over the past three years that the viewer of course has no idea about at first. So there is enough fuel for the fire.
But soon comes disillusionment. Although "24" is still far better than most other series, the third season runs out of steam after a short time. Too often the story gets lost in almost soap-like subplots that are just annoying. Fortunately, the makers noticed this themselves and managed to turn things around towards the middle of the season. From about episode 13 on, "24" is delivered in top form again and towards the end of the season, the series even presents some of its strongest moments ever. It's just a shame that this time it takes an extremely long time for viewers to really get hooked.
Thankfully, the character of Jack's daughter Kim (Elisha Cuthbert) isn't embroiled in such silly subplots this season as she was in season two. Back then, her totally unnecessary antics - despite skimpy outfits - resulted in quite a few "Kill Kim" initiatives on the internet. Kim is much more adult in season 3, but the producers gave her a particularly nasty hairstyle. But you can see past that after episode 5 at the latest.
The third season of "24" is still pure high voltage despite considerable weaknesses in the first half. However, the creators will have to come up with something for the fourth season, because the basic idea of the series seems to be so slowly exhausted. And indeed, there seem to be some drastic changes in the upcoming season (US start: January 2005) - some of which, of course, result from the events of the third season. Of the previous regular cast, for example, only Kiefer Sutherland is likely to return. Whether the rest of the cast will only appear for a few episodes or not at all is still up in the air. In any case, it is certain that for fans of the series in any case: also Season 3 is absolutely recommendable!
Picture:
As already with season 2 applies here again: for a TV production, the picture is very good, but does not yet reach cinema quality. Some blurring and unclean contrasts can be observed. In return, the colors are very nice and virtually no dirt can be detected. Very nice!
Sound:
The sound is really very good for a TV series. There is a pleasant spaciousness detectable during the numerous car chases, gunfights, and other sound effects. The speakers really start to boom during the approach of two F-14 interceptors in the penultimate episode of the season! Super!
Extras:
No question, the box of the second season was hard to beat in terms of extras in terms of quality anyway. Still, at least an attempt was made to produce similarly ambitious bonus material for the third season. It starts with audio commentaries on selected episodes by some of the actors and the creators behind the camera. Particularly worth listening to are the audio commentaries by Kiefer Sutherland and writer/director Howard Gordon (episode 3) and those by Reiko Aylesworth (Michelle Dessler), Carlos Bernard (Tony Almeda) and Robert "Bob" Cochran (co-creator, writer) (episode 17). Carlos Bernard in particular proves to be a good-time prankster, as he was during his commentary on the second season. Overall, though, all the commentaries are informative and amusing in places.
Next up, there are over 45 cut scenes. There are a total of four different ways to watch these. In the first option, the scenes are inserted into the respective episodes (through "Seamless branching"). Then on Disc 7, you can still watch the cut scenes individually or as a whole, with or without commentary from producer/director Jon Cassar. In total, the cut scenes have a total running time of 54:02 minutes.
Continue on Disc 7 with three featurettes. Qualitatively, none come close to the excellent 90-minute making-of "24 Exposed" on the season two box set. But still, all of the extras are far more informative than is the case with most other TV series box sets. The most in-depth documentary is the 31:02 minute featurette "24: on the Loose", which takes an in-depth look at the filming of episodes 5 and 6, which were shot in a prison. What's particularly pleasant here, as with "24 Exposed", is that a largely commercial-free look behind the scenes is provided, showing the work of the people behind the camera and not fading away even when something goes wrong and the director runs around swearing. Documentaries like this could be made more often!
"Boys and their Toys" (11:30 minutes) is similar in style and takes a close look at the filming of a spectacular scene in the penultimate episode of season three (what it's about, of course, is not revealed here). What's interesting here is how the creators had to have the airspace over L.A. coordinated to make this scene happen. Very interesting, but could have been a bit longer.
"Biothreat: Beyond the Series" spends 24:38 minutes looking at the research that went into the series. Scientists who served as consultants get a chance to speak, providing a link to reality and explaining why a fictional virus was "developed"for the series. Quite interesting and definitely worth watching if only for Kiefer Sutherland's wry intro!
Rounding out the bonus material is a multi-angle study where you can watch a scene from two different camera angles.
Note:
The extras have no subtitles!
Conclusion:
No question: if you're a fan of the series and have a good command of English, you should definitely pick up the third season of "24" immediately. Without annoying commercial breaks and in very good quality, the third season, which has both the weakest and some of the strongest moments of the series so far, can be enjoyed. The extras are not quite as good as those of the second season box, but still above average and absolutely worth watching! Therefore, the rule is: get the DVD box and then lock yourself in your apartment for the next few days! It's worth it!!!
Original Title: 24 - Season 3
Number of Discs: 7
Languages: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Subtitles: English
Image Format: 16:9 (1.78:1)
Extras: Audio Commentaries, Cut Scenes, 3 Featurettes, Multi-Angle Study
FSK: 16
Length: approx. 1006 Min.
Ein Artikel von Frankfurt-Tipp
