Post by dkennedy on Mar 14, 2005 7:03:06 GMT -5
HDTV Show Review
24
The counter-terrorism drama may not look pretty, but it crackles with energy.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (March 14) --Who would have known that terrorists prefer the indoors?
In 24, Fox's counter-terrorism drama, which airs Monday nights at 9 p.m., the overwhelming majority of scenes are filmed indoors, not always the best venue for a High-Definition TV broadcast. Whether it's federal agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) chasing the bad guys or a clandestine meeting of an Islamic terrorist cell, a 24 scene is usually filmed against a bland background between four walls.
If you have to save the world from nuclear destruction, Fox apparently believes it's better to do it on the cheap.
That said, 24, which is set in Los Angeles, is still arguably the most exciting drama on television today. Despite the claustrophobic settings (or maybe because of them), the show manages to produce an extraordinary amount of tension and energy in each episode.
For those unfamiliar with the program, Agent Bauer is called upon each season to stop a terrorist attack that is scheduled to be launched within 24 hours. Using interrogation tactics that would make the guards at Abu Ghraib blush, Bauer runs from one crisis to another without ever stopping to eat or even taking a potty break. As Bauer, Sutherland puts in a career-making performance, exhibiting a near-psychotic intensity that until now was more likely to be associated with his dad, Donald Sutherland (M*A*S*H, Klute).
While it's not produced with the high-def audience in mind, the show's frequent close-ups give the high-def viewer an unusually revealing look at the cast. So, now, here is the OnHD.TV's list of which actors look better -- and worse -- in Fox's HDTV broadcast of 24:
Better
Kiefer Sutherland (Jack Bauer)
Sutherland looks like he's in the best shape of his life -- and he better be, considering the number of action scenes he has to play each week. In HDTV, his face is taut and relatively unlined. However, the Fox crew needs to lighten up on the cosmetics. In last week's episode, Sutherland's face looked a bit orange, as if he had just been smacked in the face with a basketball. (And, no, it wasn't my television. Sutherland was the only 24 actor who looked orangey.)
Shohreh Aghdashloo (Dina Araz)
The Oscar-nominated actress (House of Sand and Fog) plays the mother of a family working with the terrorists. Although the Iranian-born actress is pushing 50, she still looks beautiful in high-def. Her aging lines actually give her more character and charisma.
Elisha Cuthbert (Kim Bauer)
A star of the first two seasons, playing Bauer's college-age daughter, the petite Cuthbert looks gorgeous in HDTV. If the producers are looking to drop in some inexpensive eye-candy before this season ends, call Elisha. She looks like a young Marilyn Monroe.
Worse
William Devane (Secretary of State James Heller)
As Secretary of State Heller, Devane looks like hell. The veteran actor, who once played John F. Kennedy in a docudrama about the Cuban Missile crisis, needs to duck and cover the next time they ask him to appear in a high-def show.
Alberta Watson (Erin Driscoll)
Watson plays the director of the Counter-Terrorism Unit. She has an unfortunate complexion for a high-def broadcast; her face is ruddy, with small pockmarks in her cheeks.
Los Angeles (As Itself)
On those few occasions when Fox brings the 24 cameras outside, the city of Angels doesn't look very heavenly; it's drab and dry.
Phillip Swann is president & publisher of OnHD.TV. if you would like to contact Mr. Swann, he can be reached at 703-505-3064 or at swann@tvpredictions.com
24
The counter-terrorism drama may not look pretty, but it crackles with energy.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (March 14) --Who would have known that terrorists prefer the indoors?
In 24, Fox's counter-terrorism drama, which airs Monday nights at 9 p.m., the overwhelming majority of scenes are filmed indoors, not always the best venue for a High-Definition TV broadcast. Whether it's federal agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) chasing the bad guys or a clandestine meeting of an Islamic terrorist cell, a 24 scene is usually filmed against a bland background between four walls.
If you have to save the world from nuclear destruction, Fox apparently believes it's better to do it on the cheap.
That said, 24, which is set in Los Angeles, is still arguably the most exciting drama on television today. Despite the claustrophobic settings (or maybe because of them), the show manages to produce an extraordinary amount of tension and energy in each episode.
For those unfamiliar with the program, Agent Bauer is called upon each season to stop a terrorist attack that is scheduled to be launched within 24 hours. Using interrogation tactics that would make the guards at Abu Ghraib blush, Bauer runs from one crisis to another without ever stopping to eat or even taking a potty break. As Bauer, Sutherland puts in a career-making performance, exhibiting a near-psychotic intensity that until now was more likely to be associated with his dad, Donald Sutherland (M*A*S*H, Klute).
While it's not produced with the high-def audience in mind, the show's frequent close-ups give the high-def viewer an unusually revealing look at the cast. So, now, here is the OnHD.TV's list of which actors look better -- and worse -- in Fox's HDTV broadcast of 24:
Better
Kiefer Sutherland (Jack Bauer)
Sutherland looks like he's in the best shape of his life -- and he better be, considering the number of action scenes he has to play each week. In HDTV, his face is taut and relatively unlined. However, the Fox crew needs to lighten up on the cosmetics. In last week's episode, Sutherland's face looked a bit orange, as if he had just been smacked in the face with a basketball. (And, no, it wasn't my television. Sutherland was the only 24 actor who looked orangey.)
Shohreh Aghdashloo (Dina Araz)
The Oscar-nominated actress (House of Sand and Fog) plays the mother of a family working with the terrorists. Although the Iranian-born actress is pushing 50, she still looks beautiful in high-def. Her aging lines actually give her more character and charisma.
Elisha Cuthbert (Kim Bauer)
A star of the first two seasons, playing Bauer's college-age daughter, the petite Cuthbert looks gorgeous in HDTV. If the producers are looking to drop in some inexpensive eye-candy before this season ends, call Elisha. She looks like a young Marilyn Monroe.
Worse
William Devane (Secretary of State James Heller)
As Secretary of State Heller, Devane looks like hell. The veteran actor, who once played John F. Kennedy in a docudrama about the Cuban Missile crisis, needs to duck and cover the next time they ask him to appear in a high-def show.
Alberta Watson (Erin Driscoll)
Watson plays the director of the Counter-Terrorism Unit. She has an unfortunate complexion for a high-def broadcast; her face is ruddy, with small pockmarks in her cheeks.
Los Angeles (As Itself)
On those few occasions when Fox brings the 24 cameras outside, the city of Angels doesn't look very heavenly; it's drab and dry.
Phillip Swann is president & publisher of OnHD.TV. if you would like to contact Mr. Swann, he can be reached at 703-505-3064 or at swann@tvpredictions.com