The A-Team (Review 1 of 2)

The A-Team (Review 1 of 2)

Totally foolish and fun, The A-Team is a fun remake that pays tribute to the old 80s TV show. The A-Team is surprisingly better than I could have imagined. The movie does have a few flaws, but it is still a fun goofy movie that pays tribute to the 80s show. Just go in the damn movie with the mindset of your childhood self.

The Story (and Update)

The smartest thing they did with the movie was to update the background story behind the A-Team. Instead of being charged for a crime they didn’t commit in Vietnam, the writers updated it to the current Iraq War. This suits the story much more given the current stuff going on in Iraq. The story also goes after all the private security forces in Iraq. Heck, the movie makes them the bad guys. (They’re just like the Blackwater people.)

For a summer popcorn movie, there are some interesting twists in the story, which I saw coming, but still enjoyed them. There are also multiple villains going after the A-Team as well. So, the story is a little more complex than a normal episode from the show.

It should also be noted that the A-Team actually kills people in the updated version. Right from the get-go, Hannibal kills a few people in Mexico. I like that they do kill people this time around, but it isn’t overboard.

Speaking of Mexico, in this story, Mexico is where the A-Team first comes together. In the TV show, Mexico was where the A-Team first episode began. Having the movie start in Mexico was a direct nod to the TV show. But the origin story also gives people that have never seen the TV insight into the concept. To be fair, the Mexico feels like a separate episode from the rest of the movie, with the exception of giving us a reason why BA hates to fly. And, I like that about the movie.

If I had a negative about the plot, I can say that it is sometimes a bit too complex for its own good.

The Acting and Casting

-Liam Neeson does a good job with his version of Hannibal. It is very different from the TV series, but that’s a good thing. George Peppard’s version was more of a jokester, while Neeson gives the character a father figure vibe.

- Bradley Cooper is faceman! Cooper is a direct match to Dirk Benedict. It’s hard to tell the two apart. Both play good-looking con men that the ladies really like. Cooper is simply outstanding.

-Sharlto Copley as Murdock: He actually gives Murdock a slightly darker edge than Dwight Schultz, but it was always Dwight Schultz’s role (besides Lt. Commander Barkley).

- Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson as B.A. Baracus: Yes, he’s not Mr. T, but he really surprised he with his performance. I didn’t think Mr. Rampage could act, but his role is very much in the spirit of Mr. T. Mr. T will always be BA, but I enjoyed this version of BA as well.

Special Effects

The CGI for the most part is very convincing. I was a little weary about the famous “Flying Tank” scene. However, they actually made it so absurd and silly that I actually bought into the fact they were flying a damn tank in the air. I had the biggest grin on my face during this scene. I kept thinking, “They’re actually going through with this.”

The last scene involving trailer containers looked a bit fake, and they went a little bit too overboard with the CGI. For the most part, it isn’t overblown like say the GI Joe movie.

End of Part 1