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.

I must confess that I've never really watched the 24 television series too date, but that didn't in the least inhibit my enjoyment of '24 Redemption'. In recent years, a great many espionage-thriller films have been touted as being 'realistic' and gritty...the Bourne trilogy, Mission Impossible 3 and Casino Royale the most prominent among these. But '24 Redemption' goes beyond mere pseudo-realistic presentation by bringing us virtually as close to the real world as a documentary. The military coup that engulfs the fictitious African nation of Zangala is no campy world domination scheme...its the kind of situation you could very well find yourself staring at in the evening news. But the realistic element reaches its zenith in the depiction of the protagonist Jack Bauer. Again, I'm not as familiar with Sutherland's character as I'd like to be, so I don't know how he's been portrayed in the past. But Jack Bauer as seen in this film, comes across not so much as a badass super-agent/action hero (ala Jason Bourne or Ethan Hunt) but rather as a very human character...a soldier weary of war, running away from the ghosts of his past and yet finding himself confronted by even more violence. He is both emotionally and physically a vulnerable individual. Quiet unlike the steely countenance of Bourne of the outward flamboyance of James Bond, Bauer's reactions to the situations he faces in this film are deeply rooted in his emotions. True, he is every bit the professional soldier too...but ultimately, a human being.'24 Redemption' may not be the most entertaining thriller out there...but if you want to watch a movie about the kind of action hero who CAN exist in real life, defusing the kind of situation which CAN arise in the real world; if only for the novelty if nothing else...then this is the ideal film!

This film carries the story on from the end of Season 6 of the hit TV show 24. Having not seen any of the TV series I had no idea what to expect, but to my joy I really enjoyed it and will be starting the long slog of watching 24 from the first episode.My favourite actor of all time Kiefer Sutherland does an amazing job as always portraying Jack Bauer. Appearances from Robert Carlyle and Jon Voight just add to the viewing pleasure. Plenty of action, a lot of gun shots and a few explosions just to add some adrenaline.A must watch for any action fan and any fan of Kiefer Sutherland.My rating 10/10

I watched this yesterday on Dutch Television. I had not been following 24 for quite some time and to see a movie was a great surprise. As an avid fan I really looked forward to this. I made my tea and cookies and was ready to enjoy.Obviously Jack Bauer kicked ass again, no surprise here, what the problem was was the poor ending. Not to mention the film only lasted an hour. It was too damn short, the ending wasn't a real ending. It didn't feel good. I think that you can't really make a good movie out of a series if that series requires 24 hours to make an entire story. They had the same eye for detail but not the time to make it fit. The action scenes weren't really fitting, I felt more as if the director said to himself: "gee, we're lacking some action scenes.. hmmm let's do another one and I don't care why I just want action!"It really didn't feel 24ish. I understand that it may sound strange, requiring a perfect film for a man who is the year 2000's Chuck Norris and usually isn't too complicated other than struggling with the dilemma of deciding to kick them with his left or right leg, but it just wasn't right.I'll look forward to a next season of 24, but I'll pass for another film.