The A-Team (2010) Review

As a kid, I always enjoyed watching the A-Team tv show. I wasn't around when it was being produced regularly, but was introduced to it by my father. Now that I have aged a few years, and Netflix streaming has come along, the A-Team has remained one of the shows I'll enjoy on occasion. Its a prime example of 1980s television cheese, which adds another layer of humor on top of the corny characters and stories that often frequented the show.

In mid 2009, I heard the movie adaption of the show was finally green lit. I wasn't really excited about about the news until the cast was announced (more on that later). Needless to say, I saw the film on opening night in the theaters. It sure wasn't the best film out in 2010, but one I enjoyed nonetheless.

The film preserves the basic story line from the tv show, but gives it a very distinct 21st century twist. Four special operations soldiers are framed for a crime they didn't commit, and spend their time trying to avoid being caught by the Army while helping damsels in distress. The film explores the origins of the A-Team, changing out the Vietnam venue for the more recent Iraq war. There is a very well done drawn out opening-credit sequence that shows how the four characters met before their tours in Iraq. The plot moves on from there, showing how the team is framed, and how they go about trying to clear their names. The story manages to be very simplistic and at the same time, very convoluted. Its simplistic in a very pop corn action movie type way: Here are the good guys, and there are the bad guys. The details in the plot are what get confusing. I found myself getting confused about which shady CIA agent/mercenary was which on my first watch through. The plot moves along very quickly, and its pretty easy to get lost if you miss just a couple of minutes.

The characters, and the actors that play them, are really what shine. Hannibal (Liam Neeson, Taken, Schindler's List) is the teams leader, still chomping on his cigar and loving when plans come together. Bosco B.A. Baracus (Quentin "Rampage" Jackson, in his first film role) is the team's fool pitying badass, with an expertise in anything mechanized. Lt. Templeton "Faceman" Peck (Bradley Cooper, The Hangover) is the womanizing con-man. And last, but not least, is Capt. "Howlin' Mad" Murdock (Sharlto Copley, District 9) the team's mentally unstable pilot. Copley steals every scene he is in as Murdock, also providing a great majority of the films laughs. I might be a bit biased, District 9 is one of my absolute favorite films, and Copley's performance in it was simply brilliant. The characters are probably the best thing about this film, without a good cast the film would have fallen flat on its face. For veterans of the TV series, the main characters are easily recognized by their distinct quirks and personalities. The supporting cast is good, but not as stellar as the four main characters. Patrick Wilson (Watchmen) plays the role of the slimy CIA agent Lynch. Brian Bloom, while also the film's co-writer, fills the shoes of the mischievous mercenary Pike, the man who framed the A-Team.  Jessica Beil..

.... Stars as the film's eye candy- erm- I mean Capt. Sosa, the army officer in charge of capturing the A-Team after they escape. While being pleasing to the eye for the entire film, some of her lines come off as a bit awkward. Her scenes with Face (her ex love interest) are excellently done, Beil and Cooper have great chemistry together. 

The film has a very gritty, 21st century action movie feel, complete with the jerky camera shots during action scenes. While this is a minor gripe for me, I know it will annoy the hell out of some. It has a very campy feel, in tune with the series, but there are some intense scenes (more so in the director's cut) The film contains some very impressive, yet over the top set pieces. Its exactly what you'd expect a big budget makeover of the TV series to be. 

Pictured: A flying tank

The CGI in most of the action scenes holds up pretty well, but falters a little in some of the bigger action scenes. None of it looks particularly realistic, it all holds that almost plastic like quality CGI tends to have. This isn't saying it doesn't look good; it looks very good, especially on a big HD screen. 

The Blu-Ray and DVD come witha good amount of extras if you liked the film. Included are some "Making of" documentaries, as well as a featurette on each of the characters and the actors that play them. There is even a couple of easter eggs in the director's cut that those familiar with the TV show will enjoy.

Bottom Line: 8/10: Its a great action flick, not much else. The plot can be a bit hard to follow, but the film is saved by great casting. If you're a fan of the TV show, its a must watch. If you've never seen the show, but like action, its worth a rent.