Movie: The A-Team (2010)
My Rating: 4 stars
This movie is so much fun. There’s not really much more to say about it. I was aware of the original TV show as a pop culture reference, but I never watched it, so I don’t know if this movie has much to do with it other than the character names. But it sure is a good time. There are explosions and pretty ladies. Heists and heavy artillery. The stakes are high, the action sequences are improbable, and the one-liners are hilarious. Plus, it looks like the stars of this film were definitely having a good time while making it. What more can you ask for?
Liam Neeson plays Hannibal, the leader of the group, and brains of the operation. Bradley Cooper is Face, the pretty-boy lady-killer. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is B.A. Baracus, complete with the sweet-ass van and haircut. And, my new favorite, Sharlto Copley plays Murdock, the throwing-cats-at-cars-crazy pilot. It’s an awesome crew, and the actors clearly like working together. The fellas are Iraq War veterans this time around—not Vietnam like the show. But, I doubt that changes much about the dynamic. These guys are on the side of truth and good. And, they’re going to track down the bad guys no matter what. Even if it means engaging in horribly dangerous missions, or acting in direct opposition to the instructions of their government. But, our boys aren’t worried about silly things like laws or treaties. Justice will be done!
I can’t remember exactly what goes down in the story. Because, this movie really is more about watching guys jump off of planes and onto speeding semi trucks. I know there are some printing plates for American currency involved somehow. And there are lots of guys on their tail—arms dealers, CIA agents, well-meaning Army officials trying to track down our heroes to court martial them. But, all these groups are just annoyances to the A-Team—an obstacle to be overcome in the process of saving the day. But, these guys are up to the challenge.
This is a very fun movie. There’s nothing serious about it at all. It’s just a balls-out, explosion-filled, heist movie/action flick. It’s got stunts and fire and tons of loud, rowdy fun. I definitely recommend this movie if you’re in the mood for something light and nostalgic. Of course, I don’t actually know how nostalgia-inducing the film is. I don’t know whether it would be satisfying to people who loved the show or not. Maybe it’s a total bastardization of the original. But, in that case, ajust pproach this movie as a silly, standalone piece of fluff and you’ll probably be ok. Because, this movie is so wild and silly that I think you’d be hard pressed not to have a good time.