I had not watched 24 on TV at all, but bought the set on the recommendation of a friend.
I love it-the set allows you to see the development of the characters especially Jack Bauer.
Obviously there are some aspects that are a little far-fetched, but generally it is a well scripted, well acted and gripping series. I planned to watch one episode a night - but be warned, this is addictive, and will dominate your free time!!
A couple of comments:
CTU must be the most infiltrated security organisation ever, and
........why would ANYONE from CTU get into a car to go back to CTU headquarters- almost every episode has people being kidnapped by fake CTU agents when they should simply be driving back to CTU. This device is the equivalent of the b-movie horror where having heard a strange noise from the cellar, the character insists on going down into the darkened cellar even though the lights are not working............I got exhausted from shouting at the TV "don't get into the car, it's a trap, they are not real agents!!!!!!!"
I can't wait for series 6 to be released!!!!!
I am 48 yeas old, but i have bought my Jack Bauer Nighthawk Special Ops Watch, my jack Bauer Sunglasses........unfortunately the only company selling the "CTU shoulder bag" would not sell to a UK resident, so I missed out there.
Generally I was not impressed with Kieffer Sutherland as an actor - until I started watching 24.........he is awesome.

Every series is brilliant, almost every hour has a twist, or a turn, or a great piece of action, or human drama.

It's probably difficult to do justice to this show, or to say anything that another reviewer hasn't. It's simply superb, great drama and great television, especially when viewed on DVD, as opposed to tv. No ad-breaks, and no waiting a week for the next episode. The only worry with these five series, is the distinct possibility that it will overtake your life for a week or more.

With all five series, you can watch Jack Bauer develop as a character, moving through situations, and working with different people. Plenty of sad deaths along the way, plenty of terrorists, plenty of deaths, and certainly not for the faint hearted.

At this stage, if you're thinking of shelling out ??100+ for the whole series, it'd probably be worth waiting until November for the release of a Seasons 1-6 boxset to make sure you have a complete collection.

I don't own this box set, but I do own most of the series and have seen them all. What can be said about 24 other than it is awesome! Whilst the plots are sometimes a bit ludicrous, it is fast paced, action packed, and full of twists to keep you guessing. (But it's safe to assume that CTU is usually compromised!)

I am not currently enjoying season 6 so this box set currently represents the best that 24 has to offer. Whilst some seasons are clearly better than others, they are all fantastic to watch, and I guarantee you cannot watch just 1 episode in 1 night!

See what makes Jack Bauer one of the best characters on tv today and buy this now!

Do NOT, repeat DO NOT buy this boxed set.
Your life will never be the same again. You will become a hopeless 24 junkie, reorganising your life just so you can sneak another episode when there are any number of more important things waiting for your attention.
You can forget sleep. As long as Jack Bauer is on the trail of the latest threat to US security you will rationalise any amount of sleeplessness in order to see where the last hour's cliff-hanging ending is going to take Jack and the rest of CTU in their pursuit of the terrorists.
Frankly, it is impossible to praise 24 highly enough. Simply, it is the very best action series you are ever likely to see.
The tension is intense and constant. The acting and direction are as good as you'll get. The script is intelligent and the plotting is tortuous and intensely satisfying.
Underpinning the whole thing is the character of Jack Bauer, arguably the ultimate patriot, his unfailing sense of duty to his country inevitably putting him at odds with the system. He constantly has to take decisions that place him outside the law, but his decisions are always weighed in favour of duty to his country in his role as pre-eminent counter-terrorist agent.
Forget the fact that the underlying premise of each series is an absurdity of immense proportion: that a terrorist threat should become apparent, play out and be thwarted in a precise 24-hour time window.
Forget that and revel in the ingenuity of the plot development, let yourself be seduced by the very rounded characterisation of the supporting roles, wallow in the (few) romantic moments which are played to the hilt and be blown away by the sophistication of the forensic science deployed in the desperate race against time.
This is jaw-droppingly good TV, but if there is to be another series, they simply will have to show at least two hours each week.
If I could, I would have given this ten stars. Nothing before has ever kept me so riveted for so long.
To quote a basic legal concept in its purely linguistic form: Caveat emptor. You have been warned!

This has got to be the most gripping series I have ever had the pleasure of watching.

Sadly, this has meant my life has turned into a Jack Bauer fest with me quite literally organising my time around watching the next episode-I never thought I would enjoy being such a total loser quite so much!

Do not, I repeat, do not attempt to watch this series on broadcasting TV as it will send you absolutely nuts with frustration!

Buy the boxset and enjoy many days tucked up in your home with the legendary Mr. Sutherland keeping you glued to the sofa.