Before I continue on with my review, I must throw in the following disclaimer: I was never a fan of
THE A-TEAM. Yeah, I watched it from time to time, but I never really dug it enough to stay with it from week to week and season to season.
The only TV series back in the 70s/80s the I remember absolutely being in love with was THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN. Other than that, I wasn’t much of a TV guy growing up. I was much more into football (and -- ahem -- *whispers* Batman comics)
to hang my hat on several TV shows.
With that out of the way, on with my review…
If you were a fan of the 80s TV series on which this film is based -- and even if you were not, like me -- I’m sure you are familiar with that show’s premise. “The A-Team” is a covert and select military group known for their ability to -- well -- "Take care of BUSINESS." When they are framed by another secret group of special ops, they are forced to go underground to prove their innocence.
The film’s premise is the same as the TV show’s as are the members of The A-Team -- although they are now Iraqi War vets, instead of having fought in Vietnam.
Liam Neeson (BATMAN BEGINS) is the leader of the group, Col. John “Hannibal” Smith. Bradley Cooper (THE HANGOVER) is the slick Lt. Templeton “Face” Peck. Sharlto Copley (DISTRICT 9) is the film’s funny guy as nutso helicopter pilot Capt. H.M. Murdock. UFC fighter Quinton “Rampage” Jackson steps into the shoes of the legendary Mr. T as B.A. Baracus. While it certainly appears as of most of the cast mailed-in/cheezed-up their performances, at least they can in fact act. This however is not the case for Mr. Jackson who was...well...just not that good. (I'd prefered Common who I believe was up for the part.)
The only other cast member worth mentioning is Jessica Biel as Capt. Carissa Sosa. It appears that the only reason she’s in this film is to serve as "The HOT Smart Girl/Love Interest." If that’s the case, you can chalk up her “performance” as a success, since I don’t think anyone is going to buy her as a military officer.
On the other hand, if you want action, it’s action that you’re going to get. However, it’s so outlandish and unbelievable (A tank can be flown...REALLY?), it becomes quite eye-rolling halfway through the movie. And that is the main problem with THE A-TEAM in my opinion. It’s almost two hour running time is WAY too long. If this sucker had been cut down to, say, 90 minutes tops, I think one may be able to accept and stomach the over the top action much easier. Heck, I might have even bumped up my grade a notch or two.
I’m wondering if THE A-TEAM would have been better if it had gone the route of a serious action flick instead of the action/comedy/popcorn/shoot-em-up fest that it took? Oh well…
The bottom line for me is that THE A-TEAM is OK for a popcorn action flick. It's really nothing more than an updated, sexed-up, and more violent version of the televison original. Despite the wooden acting and implausible action sequences, it does have its moments. Unfortunately, those moments only add up to about an hour of entertainment.
Don't TV action shows usually run about 60 minutes? Hmmm...
GRADE: Let's call 'em THE C-TEAM
THE A-TEAM hits theaters everywhere on June 11, 2010.
