Not the best Season of 24 but it's still solid.
A lot of people say this season of 24 was horrible. But I, as a 24 fan who owns all the DVDs, must say that this season has its moments. There are highlights in the season that are unexpected. Especially the first four episodes. I don't think I've seen in past seasons where Jack bites a terrorist in the throat, or Spoiler Alert: seen someone getting drilled on the shoulder and being forced to help terrorists. Or even seen one case where terrorists cut off someone's arm over a tracking device. 24 Season 6 has its ups and downs but if you're a faithful fan of the series and have a 5.1 surround sound system then this is worth the purchase. If your a faithful fan and just want a few days of entertainment then i recommend just renting it.

The trouble was the Chinese/Russian plot...
Man, things were going great for the most violent prime time TV show ever (less the killing of Curtis - one of those moments where clearly the writers simply wants to shock the audience or need to get rid of the actor for some reason). Things went downhill (in my humble opinion)after the Fayed plot was solved. By "downhill" I don't mean disater, because a show of this magnitude, where each episode has so many differnt scenarios, shot on locatiosns cenes, special effects, etc, rarely is mediocre. You get the feel that the everyone involved is giving their best.

What I mean by downhil is the above mentioned people (cast, producers, technical guys, writers) giving their best for a flawed premise. The Chinese / Russian plot was so farfetched, so forced, so unplausible. After all, the advantage of obtaining some secret technologie about your enemy is useful since he does not know that you possess his defense technology! Also, to see Audrey Raines appears only briefly and as a "zombie" was a bad call.

Well, that's it. Anyway, I think the show still did not jump the shark, but this will happen soon.

suspenseful escapism
Based on many of the reviews and a gradual disaffection for the previous 3 seasons (particularly 5), I waited a long time before finally giving in to curiosity and buying this season. Imagine my surprise then when I found season 6 to be as entertaining, gripping and nearly as emotional as the first two seasons. But even more than that I was delighted to find Season 6 so very fortunately free of bad acting and kitchen sink drama that has so plagued the last three seasons.

This is mindless, but suspenseful escapism, and, given that the threat mechanism of the plot is exactly the same as every other season, I have to say that the writers are to be lauded for their inventiveness on taking Jack Bauer on another journey as entertaining as this. There are genuine surprises in this season - plot twists that keep you guessing, even when admittedly, there is no longer any sense of whether Jack will make it through or not.

For the customers who are trying to make up their minds, imagine that you've never seen 24 before - imagine you have no investment in previous characters. Put aside judgment and enjoy this excellently made TV Series.

24, still a great show, despite whiners
I ditto A. Foges recent review, not sure of his rankings, but yes, i think season 6 is in the top half for sure... I also don't get how people are saying season 6 is 24 going down hill, ridiculous - maybe they are just expecting some better TV at this point? They want a new and better thrill?, good luck Mr. and Mrs. Excessively High Standards of American Entertainment! 24 still works just fine! This formula will require more seasons for me before i tire of it!, if ever! It is by far the only show on TV where i have actually felt like i have a life watching it! Its that engaging!, the couch potato effect has no chance when watching this show!

What is everyone talking about? Season 6 rocks!
I have read the reviews made by other people, and frankly, I don't know what they are talking about. I have watched all the seasons of 24, starting from season 1, and I am able to judge all of them fairly. My order is as follows:
Season 1
Season 6
Season 2
Season 5
Season 4
Season 3
Don't get me wrong. I put season 3 last, but it was still a damn good season. By definition, anything to do with 24 is amazing, and season 3 was no different. But I digress.
Season 6 is more action-packed, more suspenseful, and generally more well-done then the previous 4 seasons. Each episode kept me on the edge of my seat. More than once throughout the season, I audibly gasped. There are times throughout the season where you forget to blink for minutes on end, as thrilling as the gunfights are, and there are times when you blink repeatedly to get the tears out of your eyes.
The characters are spectacular. Specifically, Tom Lennox and Philip Bauer (and of course, Jack Bauer) are truly wonderful. 24 is very obviously not a -laugh-out-loud show, but Tom Lennox made me chuckle quite a few times with his reactions. Philip Bauer is positively creepy, and it is impossible to take your eyes of of him.
In conclusion, the other reviewers all seem to be a bit crazy, because season 6 is the best season of 24 in a long, long time. I highly recommend it.