24

A rousing thriller loaded with nifty gimmicks and head-spinning twists. [6 Nov 2001]

Expertly cut and polished until it practically gleams, 24 is like a flawless diamond: stylish, multifaceted and so sharp that it could cut glass. Everything clicks, from the hip sets to the whip-smart direction to the ever-shifting split screen that imbues even mundane activities such as talking on the phone with an unexpected urgency. [6 Nov 2001]

Riveting, gripping, and altogether compelling ... An innovative and expertly executed hour of suspense, '24' is without question the best premiere of the fall season. [6 Nov 2001]

A jolt of taut, high-velocity TV drama, a new-style thriller that really is thrilling. [6 Nov 2001]

One of the most fully realized, innovative and flat-out exciting television debuts ever. [4 Nov 2001]

Captivating from its first minute forward, "24" is the rare example of a television pilot that hits every mark with an aura of excitement and precision, a stellar cast that exudes personality and personal history, and direction that is as taut as it gets. [2 Nov 2001]

The most distinctive, addictive new TV series this season. As an old-fashioned thriller, it's relentless, tense and deliciously paranoiac, with more twists than a Twizzler. But it's also boldly different.

This is a smart, exciting thrill ride with a tick-tock momentum that will keep you glued to the edge of your seat. [6 Nov 2001]

The writing is crisp, the performances nuanced and believable, the gradually quickening pace addictive. It's hard to imagine anyone who watches tonight's first episode not wanting to to see the second installment next week. [6 Nov 2001]

Cleverly constructed and invigoratingly ambitious in design ... '24' has tension and density that set it well apart from the pack. [6 Nov 2001]

The show wins points for innovation, intelligence and solid production values. [6 Nov 2001]

Plenty of action, jaw-dropping twists, rapid-fire pacing -- 24 employs everything a good drama needs. [6 Nov 2001]

It's Sutherland's performance that so elevates the hour. This is a feature film star at work, and his performance demonstrates why the folks who fill the big screen make much more money than most television stars. [6 Nov 2001]

Long before Sept. 11, the standout of the fall TV season was an ambitious thriller about a counter-terrorist. ... It's even more captivating now that terrorist threats are a daily fact of life. [4 Nov 2001]

What makes '24' so nail-biting good is its use of layered storytelling, plot twists and visual trickery to create the illusion of action. The premiere starts slowly, then picks up steam as it darts deftly in and out of six different stories. ... The genius of '24' is that it makes each minute feel more precious than the last. [4 Nov 2001]

The lingering concussion of Sept. 11 does nothing to undermine Fox's new thriller focusing on terrorism. Instead, it adds to its credibility and makes it all the more gripping. [6 Nov 2001]

Innovative and compelling. ... The show gets off to a great start in its first highly eventful hour, with Mr. Sutherland excelling in his first TV series role. [4 Nov 2001]

The makers of 24 needn't overuse the split-screen technique to emphasize the onrush of events. Viewers can feel the suspense start to build without seeing the seconds tick off on a digital clock. Give the gimmicks a rest. We're hooked without them.

If the next 23 hours are half as spellbinding as tonight's - and, of course, providing that the TV audience is ready to find a terrorist attack entertaining - 24 could still be the hit of the season. [6 Nov 2001]

Although its style is novel, 24 hews to traditional crime-story conventions; you could plop this plot into a two-hour TV movie and be done with it. The advantage of the real-time hour becomes apparent, however, in the depth of characterization achieved by stretching things out.

It's mysterious and exciting, a suspenseful and tense action-drama. [6 Nov 2001]

A stylish and innovative thriller that feels like the filmed version of the smartest airport novel you'll ever read. [6 Nov 2001]

'24'... isn't a TV show. It's a thrill ride - so intense and fast-paced, it ought to come with guardrails attached. [5 Nov 2001]

'24' is exciting and intriguing. The cast is appealing. Using a split-screen technique to further propel the interlocking story lines, the drama has an edgy, hip style, enveloping you in suspense and danger. [6 Nov 2001]