“The A-Team,” a revival of the 80s TV show that focused on tongue-in-cheek humor and lots of action, offers the true action junkie his fix of non-intellectual entertainment. But, heck, I like movies like that. The gruff, smart leader, who always has a plan, is Hannibal Smith (Liam Neeson). He is joined by cocky Templeton ‘Faceman’ Peck (Bradley Cooper), mowhawked muscleman B.A. Baracus (Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson) and an unbalanced but brilliant pilot, Howling Maddog Murdock (Sharlto Copley). In Iraq, this elite unit is framed for stealing counterfeit engraving plates and sent to prison. In order to clear their names, they must escape and track down an elusive operative named Pike (Brian Bloom) while evading pursuit by a military team led by Lt. Sosa (Jessica Biel).
The A-Team occupies a world where the laws of physics don’t apply because Maddog can certainly make an airplane (and helicopter) do some really unique things and, of course, the bad guys can’t shoot straight. There are red herrings, close calls and a surprise that really isn’t surprising. Unfortunately, director Joe Carnahan gets carried away with over using the jittery camera on several of his action sequences. The new cast does an admirable job imitating the original. Liam Neeson is suitably wise and witty, the straight man for much of his team’s shenanigans. Bradley Cooper and Sharlto Copley come closest to resembling Dirk Benedict and Dwight Shultz while wrestler Quinton Jackson doesn’t quite channel Mr. T. So if you want lots of mindless action with a plot that’s not too challenging, “The A-Team” is for you. 6/11/10
1 comment:
This is not my kind of film but I went to see it anyway. I was pleasantly surprised, it was pretty good. Liam Neeson was just passable as Hannibal Smith and Bradley Cooper was very good as "Face". I'm afraid Rampage Jackson will not make us forget MR "T" in the role, Rampage was subpar.
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