The A-Team
Directed by Joe Carnahan
Starring Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Sharlto Copley, Patrick Wilson, Gerald McRaney, Henry Czerny, and Brian Bloom.
Backstory
Ah, another favourite TV show from my youth brought to the big screen. I remember being a wee lad and being able to stay up late on Saturday nights to watch The A-Team. I think a movie version was first announced way back in 1996, and I’ve been following it online ever since waiting to see if it would come to fruition. Well, it did, in the summer of 2010. The trailers made it look very ridiculous…much like the original TV show. Would it match up with my childhood remembrances?
Plot
In the US Army, one of the best elite commando units is the Alpha Squad, or “A-Team” under the command of Col. John “Hannibal” Smith. His team consists of Templeton “Faceman” Peck, B.A. Baracus, and “Howling Mad” Murdock. During the war in Iraq, the team is sent on a secret mission to recover a set of US currency engraving plates and $1 billion in counterfeit American money before the insurgents can use it. The team is successful, but they are double-crossed, and man who ordered them on their mission is promptly killed. With no evidence that they were officially ordered on their mission, the A-Team is promptly arrested and sent to prison. But it’s not long before they escape and get back together to answer the key questions: who set them up? Who really stole the engraving plates? And can they clear their names?
What I Liked
As you can tell by my plot description, the movie is kind of like a prequel to the TV show, showing that “crime they didn’t commit” always talked about in the TV show’s opening narration, and their first mission, which was understandably to clear their names. It also has this spectacular opening sequence that explains how the team came together. Murdock, my favourite character from the original show, is just as crazy as ever. And, just like the original show, there’s a great sense of humour, making the whole film quite funny.
What I Didn’t Like
Aww, man, we never got to see Hannibal show his trademark mastery of disguise! Also, the plot does get a little confusing as you try to keep track of all the nameless suits, renegade agents, and who’s double-crossing who.
Final Assessment
Completely ridiculous and over the top…and therefore, just like the original TV show! My inner child was very pleased.