24: Legacy

I remember when the original "24" began, it was the best thing since sliced bread in terms of TV. In 2001 we were just beginning to see the upward tick of quality series that would eventually lead to a golden age of television with networks like HBO, FX, AMC, and now Netflix contributing some of the most engaging series ever made for the small screen and turning television into an experience akin to going to the cinema.

"24" was dark, edgy, it had novelty with the fresh real-time concept, and it had a very engaging plot and a great lead. It was TV crack.

"Legacy" attempts to recapture that magic, but ultimately fails. It's not that Kiefer is no longer around. It's not that the real-time format is old hat now. It's the fact that the human drama is no longer interesting and the plot is a rehash of old ideas like being served warmed-up leftovers that have been in the fridge a day too long.

The suspense isn't as intense, the actors aren't as intriguing, and there's no blonde little girl running around getting into mishaps with cougars and everything else. In essence, the "magic" is missing from this reincarnation and that feeling of being on the edge of your seat for the entire hour is sorely lacking. This is "24", no doubt, but it's a hollow version of its predecessor that lacks bite and feels so very routine. Even the dark, brooding nature of the original series is absent and composer Sean Callery's themes are strangely lackluster and fail to pull you in.

I am holding out hope that this improves, though as of this writing we are currently on episode 5. As of now, this is watered-down "24" with no soul, no grit, and no spunk. What do you have left? A by-the-numbers action series with shootouts, explosions, and people running around "doing things." This reboot needs a soul. Right now it's "watch in the background while playing on your phone" material.

I have watched episode 9 just seconds ago.

I have been following this series from the first Season and it has been my favourite show up until now.

Not the cast.. not the director... They are OK..

But the plot holes made this series non-watchable now.

No need to go in details.

Watch yourself and see...

Being a huge fan of 24, knowing 24:Legacy coming out was good news. Anticipating with excitement, and watching it with lowered expectations after reading some reviews, it turned out... is the same old good, 24.

What's good with the old 24 was the intensity, the spying, story-line, plot holes, all the flaws and amazing acting by Kiefer Sutherland. With 24:Legacy, everything remains except for the good acting (from the lead mainly).

It's inevitable to compare 24 with this new show, especially when 24 only ended not too long ago. Having said that, it's also important to keep an open mind that as all the actors have changed, the chemistry of the show would also differ. All in all, the story is as expected (good old CTU), the intensity is there, the constant search for the mole through the story, basically everything we enjoyed from 24 is replicated. So if you're looking for something new, this may not be for you. But if you're never tired of the same old 24, then you may enjoy this.

With all that said, there is only one problem. The lead actor, Corey Hawkins, playing Eric Carter. One of the main reason 24 was so great was because of Kiefer Sutherland. Until this day, I could still picture Jack Bauer in my head of how he would react and handle different situations and national crisis. Unfortunately, Corey Hawkins does not live up to this legacy. 5 mins in the show and I realise his acting is not up to par. Blank facial expressions, poor action scenes, with little to none chemistry with other actors/actresses. Having only watched the first episode, I truly cannot understand and relate at all what this character Eric Carter is, which is pretty much the main job of an actor. Now fortunately, the supporting roles were done properly by all others. Whether it's Carter's wife or his brother, CTU members, and even the terrorists, all performed on an acceptable standard.

There's no one TV series or movie that's perfect. So, accepting one's flaws and enjoying the show is all we, as audiences can do. But, if the acting of the lead does not shape up, that's too much of a flaw to bare and I might just give up after a few episodes. Let's wait and see.

For now, I'll give it a 6/10.

I really wanted to love this series as I loved 24. What I can't get over is this show is on the same channel as the original so you would think it would follow the regular and be as intense and real as the prior. This is not the case. Some parts look so fake it takes away from the intensity of the show. The acting is just mediocre but I think that's more the writing. None of the characters seem real. I think the writers followed Kiefer over to channel 7 as designated survivor has been great.

While 24 was diversified and even before it's time by having a black president then a women president this show tries to hard to make sure everyone is represented but still has the stereo typical villains. The thing that bothers me the most though is there are no " oh sh*t " moments. In 24 there where those moments that jumped out and just changed what I was thinking. Some even blew me away. You don't get that here as it is fairly predictable and there are no surprises.

It's a show living on the reputation of the prior and doesn't feel like it needs to work that hard when it fact it needs to work twice as hard to prove itself. I will stick it out this year but will not be watching after that.

I am from India and 24 was the first television series I started watching. It was a hell of a ride. But this one.....I couldn't stand the first 15 minutes! It was utterly ridiculous and exasperating. As pointed out by many, this is more of a left-liberalist diversity propaganda rather than an engrossing thriller series. I am not white and even I can make out that they are trying to unnecesarily portray white people in a negative light, especially males. They should understand that Keifer Stherland wasn't successful because he was white. It was because he looked the part of a CTU agent to the T. The temperament he displayed convinced viewers that this is a man who'll break the rules if it gets the job done. This legacy stuff is non-sense. I wasn't able to make out whether they rebooted 24 or parodied it. This is SAD! They absolutely ruined it!