24 premiered in 2001 with the conceit that each season was presented in real time, each episode depicting one hour in a 24-hour period in the life of Jack Bauer, an agent with the U.S. Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU). Many shows fell victim to the writers' strike of the 2007-2008 season, but none were hit harder than 24, as the show sat the season out.

When we last saw Jack Bauer at the end of the sixth season, he was contemplating his next move. In 24: Redemption, we find Jack years later in Africa doing missionary work in Sangala. Jack never gets a break, and the film opens with him being subpoenaed to return to the U.S. in order to testify before Congress about illegal methods CTU has used in the past and his own participation in the torturing of CTU suspects.

Things get worse as a warlord starts kidnapping the boys Jack’s been helping into his army.   Back in the U.S. its inauguration day for new president Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones) who must also decide her stance on the upcoming African coup. Not only that but her son’s friend gets caught up in the paperwork for the deal that's providing resources to the Sangalese general and is eliminated by unsavory characters.  By the end of the film Jack’s only way to help the boys is to bring them to the U.S., but only if he comes home which he reluctantly does.

Now Redemption isn’t meant to wrap things up, but rather bridge the gap between season six and the upcoming seventh season premiering in January. The producers used the film as an opportunity to show things (like the transition of presidents) that they normally couldn’t show during the course of the season. It’s a good movie; it gets Jack back into action and I can’t wait for the seventh season to air so I can watch another day in the life of Jack Bauer.

Redemption is loaded with extras. Disc one contains the broadcast version of Redemption which runs 87 minutes. Over on disc two is the extended version of the movie running 102 minutes featuring commentary by the producers and actor Kiefer Sutherland, who talk about the shooting process, what it was like to be in Africa, and provide little tidbits about the film and the upcoming season.

“24: Season Six in Four Minutes” shows the highlights of the past season and is a nice refresher if it’s been awhile since you’ve seen the show. “The Exclusive First Look at Season 7" whets the appetite with the 17 minutes of the upcoming season, making me wish January was here already. “The Making of 24: Redemption” shows what it took to make the movie and details the differences shooting in South Africa versus the Los Angeles.

“Blood Never Dry” is a short documentary narrated by Kiefer Sutherland which depicts the tragedy of young boys stolen by African warlords and generals to be trained for their armies to become child soldiers. The documentary talks about the horrors these boys go through, including their families being killed in front of them, being stolen right out of their homes, and how brainwashing and drugs are a part of turning them into soldiers. It’s an eye-opening documentary and is heart breaking to boot.

All I can say for 24: Redemption is welcome back, Jack. You’ve been missed!