The A-Team

When discussing how Hollywood has run out of ideas, you can't just focus on the films that are being re-made and/or re-booted, you also have to look at things from the small screen that get adapted for the big screen, like old cartoons being made into live action, or prime-time television dramas going with new stars for familiar characters. A small portion of the time, these new takes on established characters and themes actually works out, because the people involved understand the source material and faithfully adapt that to their project. Unfortunately, the greater portion fall into the category of "Cash in on the Name", where you get the recognizable character from the established canon, and that's about it, (Dukes of Hazzard, I'm looking at you), which basically pisses all over what everyone knew and loved about those characters in the first place. Thankfully, The A-Team stays out of this category.

If you were alive in the 1980's, there's a good chance you already know of The A-Team. Each week, Hannibal and the boys would wind up in some sticky situation or have to help some poor unfortunates being bullied by the wealthy land-owner or something like that, usually requiring them to build some fantastic war machine out of scraps to save the day, all while being wanted federal fugitives for a crime they didn't commit. It was good viewing, it fit nicely with the shows of the time: Knight Rider, Dukes of Hazzard, Magnum P.I., you know, the stuff you didn't have to think too hard to watch. While some of these shows have already gotten their big screen turn, and others are probably right around the corner, most likely with impending disastrous results, The A-Team gets it right. The hardest part would have to be in getting the right actors to play their respective parts, but these were all spot on. The biggest shoes to fill would have to be that of Sgt. Bosco "B.A." Barracus, played initially by larger than life Mr.T., and played here by UFC fighter Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, who's career parallels T's in a way: T was a bodyguard/boxer turned actor, and Jackson is former UFC champ who's had some interesting acting roles. Not to be outdone, however, is consistent leading man Liam Neeson as Col. John "Hannibal" Smith, reprising the iconic role played by the late George Peppard. As leaders go, this is the guy you want making your plan, and he loves it when a plan comes together. Filling in the role of Lt. Templeton "Faceman" Peck is pretty boy Bradley Cooper, who brings the necessary swagger to the character that original Dirk Benedict brought with ease, and rounding out the party is Capt. H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdock, played by relative unknown Sharlto Copley (District 9), and originally played by Dwight Schultz.


The film opens with the guys kind of randomly coming together, (this is an origin story we didn't get from the T.V. series), and from that they go on to form an elite unit that the military employs for special missions in the Middle East. Flash forward eight years, and they are tasked with retrieving some money printing plates from the insurgents, which they are successful in doing, but upon their return to the base, are set up in the theft of said plates and the assassination of their commanding officer. Convicted and sentenced to prison, they eventually escape their respective lock-ups and attempt to clear their names. What follows is an action packed thrill ride with more twists and turns than an extreme roller coaster, culminating in a somewhat predictable, but fun ending. Much like the series, you just have to turn your brain off and enjoy the ride. There really isn't much here to think about, the story is pretty straight forward, and you don't have to be the world's greatest detective to figure things out.

Your skills will not be needed here, Sir.

I had a lot of fun watching this movie, I really hope that future film-makers use this as a rough template when attempting future big screen updates. This could have very easily been a two part episode of the original series, and I like the fact that certain things were inserted for the fans without being too heavy handed. Sadly, though, there may never be an opportunity to see these guys reprise these roles, although they have all expressed interest in returning, the film itself didn't make enough box office returns to warrant a sequel. I recommend this as a purchase, it's a good ride for nostalgia's sake, and it's also a good way to introduce the characters to a new generation, and hope they go back and enjoy the source material.

7 out of 10 Fists.