The adventures of Counter Terrorism Unit agent Jack Bauer have rarely been dull. Yet after four series of battling the bad guys in real time, some could rightfully wonder whether 24 had lots its edge, and its ability to surprise. The fifth season should put any such doubts to shame.

Set eighteen months after the dramatic finale to Season Four, things get off to a shocking and pulsating beginning. You won???t find plot spoilers in this review, yet it???s as if the writers realised they had some serious carpet-pulling to do to keep the show???s audience intrigued once again. Set, as usual, over the course of one single day, there???s then a slight lull in the first third, before things spring ferociously into life. Make no mistake: if you can overcome the usual need to suspend elements of your disbelief, this is the best series of 24 since the first, and as it winds near to its equally dramatic conclusions, it???s simply hard to take your eyes off it.

Joining the usual cast too is a procession of familiar names. Peter Weller (Roboocop), Sean Astin (The Lord Of The Rings) and C Thomas Howell (The Hitcher) are among those doing their curriculum vitae no harm, but the acting honours are taken by the wonderful combination of President Logan and his first lady, played by Gregory Itzin and Jean Smart.

With a denouement that sets up a sparkling sixth season, this fifth series of 24 is a genuinely significant achievement. It???s packed full of surprises, isn???t afraid to take a few risks, and as all good thrillers should, it keeps you on the edge of your seat for far longer than is comfortable. A superb show, very much on top form.--Simon Brew

This is the most explosive first episode of any series, totally shocking start and you are gripped after the first 5 minutes.

Jack is really at odds with the government in this one and once again he goes through absolute hell. The end is also just as shocking as the start.

To be honest i expected the series to slide a bit after the monumental quality of the first 4 but it didn't, this season is spectacular.

I've watched all the 24 series on DVD. I was never bothered about it when it started on TV but i watched the 1st season on DVD about a year ago and since then i've been catching up and have just got to season 5. First thoughts are.... same old same old :-( I love the 24 series so i wanted to really enjoy this one but after 4 seasons of nuclear bombs, terrorists and dodgy CTU agents i was hoping for a bit of something different but there isn't. It's still based on terrorists with some sort of bomb!

There is a twist towards the last 1/4 that keeps you interested but my girlfriend summed this up in one sentence.... (i just got her interested, this is the 1st season she has seen) "its doing my head in now, i just want it to finish" and i think she hit the nail on the head. Half way through that is what i was thinking too! Its abit tedious.... Jack gets what he needs and then someone comes and takes it, he chases them and gets it back but then someone else takes it, he chases them and gets it back and...... you get the picture!

Don't get me wrong, its still good but having seen the other 4 seasons i don't think it is as good as the rest. I'm left thinking that season 6 is going to be terrible, i hope im wrong!

Verdict: 4/5 Worth watching but may put you off watching season 6 and 7

If you've got this far you're a 24 fan.
This set is the best so far, with far tighter story lines and less of the credibility issues in the earlier series.
All the other series had that '24 factor' that keeps you on the edge of your seat and wanting 'just one more episode'.
This season is even more so.
Don't wait. Buy or rent it, but watch it. You won't be disappointed.

For me the best season so far by a mile the story was gripping from the opening frame to the final word totally brillant. I didn't really take to President Logan in season 4 but in this season he stole the show he played the part with ease. I hope season 6 is as good the odd review I have read say the same that this is the worse season of all. There is only one thing to do to see if those reviews were right and that's to watch it I will let you know!

After 4 years of watching Keiffer Sutherland avert disasters it was hard to imagine where 24 and particularly Jack Bauer could go. The series remained consistently entertaining, action packed and addictive but I couldn't help feeling that it was never going to match the achievement of the first season. Season 5 blew me away. It has everything. The high lights for me were a truly explosive opening episode (the best the show has ever achieved) to the incredible performance by Gregory Itzin as the president. The DVD extras do not disappoint either, but leave them alone until you're watched the episodes for `here be spoilers'.
If you're new to 24 then do yourself a favour and watch the previous 4 seasons first. If you're interest in the show has waned in recent years then season 5 is the perfect place to jump back on.