The A-Team

Welcome to another episode of The "D" List.

Today's review is The A-Team. Directed by Joe Carnahan. Written by Joe Carnahan, Brian Bloom & Skip Woods. Based on the TV show The A-Team created by Frank Lupo and Stephen J.Cannell.

MPAA Rating : Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence throughout, language and smoking.

Cast

Liam Neeson - Col. Hannibal Smith

Bradley Cooper - Lt. Templeton 'Faceman' Peck

Jessica Biel - Charisa Sosa

Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson - B.A. Baracus

Sharlto Copley - Murdock

Patrick Wilson - Lynch

Gerald McRaney     - General Morrison

Henry Czerny - Director McCready

Brian Bloom - Pike


"In 1972 a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team."

That was the opening voice over that preceded the credits to one of TV's most action packed, comical, absurd yet beloved shows of recent memory. The A Team was a show that showed me that there is such a thing as mindless entertainment that can also be cool. You had 4 lead characters that were all like-able and more importantly they never overpowered each other. Each episode may have focused on 1 but the team always needed to work together to get the job done. This film captured the heart and soul of the show MASTERFULLY.

The plot centers around the same premise of the show. After being set up for a crime they didn't commit. They guys bust out of their incarceration and seek retribution against the people who wronged them while trying to clear their names in the process. The only difference here is the story is modernized. Instead of Vietnam, they are in Baghdad and the villains have more of a down home feel. If you get my drift.

What makes The A-Team so much fun are the characters. They were perfectly cast. The highlight being Sharlto Copley as Murdock. This guy was Dwight Schultz reincarnated. Just like the show though, despite a particular character being focused more in some spots, the film does a great job of returning the balance among the rest of the team. Hannibal, Face and B.A. all have their moments in the sun but the film really shines when they all work together. The movie gives you a chance to enjoy each team members special skills. Hannibal's gift of planning and strategy. Face's ability to manipulate people and slip out the back door while being chased by the law. And Finally B.A.'s ability to beat the holy hell out of people.

The other aspect of the show that we are all familiar with is the over the top action. The show made no apologies for the blatant inconsistencies of what you saw in your living rooms every week. I can recall countless times watching the guys toss a grenade into a jeep, the jeep explodes and shoots 1,000 feet into the air then crashes down in a heap of flames. Cut to the guys enjoying their successful venture. The next shot are the passengers of said exploded jeep leaving the wreckage without a scratch on them. The film homages the over the top nature very well.

I mean let's be real about this......if you watched the show then you should have expected this when you watch the movie.

The one adjustment story wise is the fact that you get a back story of how the A-Team was created. How each character met and became the fantastic 4 that we all know and love. That was nice to see. Also, there was a hint of advanced intelligence regarding the team's schemes. The plans as always were outlandish but there was a blend of intricate detail and plotting that allowed their missions to go off without a hitch. This was a nice tweak to what the show introduced us to decades ago.

Overall, Carnahan and Co. did a terrific job of returning us back to the glory days of the 80's while updating the genre with in your face action and spot on re-imaginations of TV's greatest action heroes.

On the 5 star scale. The A-Team gets 4.5 stars with a "Worth Every Penny" Recommendation.

I took half a point away for some technical issues I had with the film. Particularly some of the shots and how they were cut together.

This was so far the most fun I had in the cinema this summer. If you were a fan of the show, you should not be disappointed.

That's all for today. Up next is The Karate (should be called Kung Fu) Kid.

Until next episode....."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"