Like Mission: Impossible before it, The A-Team keeps the name and fundamentals of its iconic forbear while successfully updating everything else. “You gotta love it when a plan comes together.”
A comic book-flecked version of the much-loved 80s classic, Joe Carnahan’s A-Team 2010 is action-packed, cheeky, laugh-out-loud, and adreneline-surged. It’s an origin story (of sorts) that details how our neo-quartet came to be, and the circumstances of why they are on the run from their own government.
Opening in Mexico, Col. John “Hannibal” Smith (Liam Neeson) and Templeton “Faceman” Peck (Bradley Cooper) are held captive by the corrupt General Tuco. Escaping via the van driving assistance of Bosco B.A. Baracus (UFC’s Quinton “Rampage” Jackson) and helicopter flying skills of H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock (Sharlto Copley), these four expert soldiers form an elite commando unit known in-house as The A-Team.
Eight years and 80 successful missions later, The A-Team are recruited by CIA Agent Lynch (Patrick Wilson) to recover some missing US treasury plates. One double-cross (but by whom?) later they’re arrested, tried, dishonourably discharged and sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. ’Course no prison is fit to confine such men and several inventive escapes later our team is reunited with revenge on their minds.
Not that they can’t find a little time for bombastic fun on the way. Such as “flying” tanks, drugging B.A. to get him on the “damn plane” and incinerating an entire shipyard (outdoing their descendants The Losers on the ante stakes). This mission they’re on may be selfish (where’s the gallant do-gooding?) with dark overtones, but it’s certainly balanced out by an increase in consistent chuckle factor.
A true ensemble effort (we’re seeing a lot of these this year), the actors risking their reputations by reinterpreting such iconic characters are certainly brave, but are they successful?
Well… Bradley Cooper’s abs are perfectly cast (good thing seeing as they spend much of the film stealing the show) as he continues his ascent to genuine big screen leading man. Liam Neeson’s silver fox locks just about provide the necessary gravitas as he continues to make some wild career choices (umm, Taken anybody?). Sharlto Copley’s manic energy fits character and actor just right for the fast up-and-comer, while, perhaps most unexpectedly, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s fool pitying stands up next to the most legendary character of all, despite his zero acting experience.
So, surprisingly yes, everyone comes off well and no doubt makes their predecessors proud. Even more importantly, all are clearly having a tank-load of fun providing a tangible team feel that sometimes can be sorely lacking in these sort of movies.
Pulling off what some thought impossible, director Joe Carnahan deserves some serious props for making this reboot work.
It’s by no means perfect: it’s slightly overlong, with weak supporting characters – especially a wasted Jessica Biel in a thankless Rosario Dawson-esque Eagle Eye role–selfish actions, slightly off-kilter story, and poor special effects at times.
But it’s also far better than it has any right to be, updating while retaining all the hallmarks you remember from the Saturday afternoon goggle box: fear of flying, construction montages, black Trans Am van, cigar smokin’, lady wooing, Mohawk haircut, maiming not killing (for the most part anyway).
[etRating value=“ 4”]
A comic book-flecked version of the much-loved 80s classic, Joe Carnahan’s A-Team 2010 is action-packed, cheeky, laugh-out-loud, and adreneline-surged. It’s an origin story (of sorts) that details how our neo-quartet came to be, and the circumstances of why they are on the run from their own government.
Opening in Mexico, Col. John “Hannibal” Smith (Liam Neeson) and Templeton “Faceman” Peck (Bradley Cooper) are held captive by the corrupt General Tuco. Escaping via the van driving assistance of Bosco B.A. Baracus (UFC’s Quinton “Rampage” Jackson) and helicopter flying skills of H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock (Sharlto Copley), these four expert soldiers form an elite commando unit known in-house as The A-Team.
Eight years and 80 successful missions later, The A-Team are recruited by CIA Agent Lynch (Patrick Wilson) to recover some missing US treasury plates. One double-cross (but by whom?) later they’re arrested, tried, dishonourably discharged and sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. ’Course no prison is fit to confine such men and several inventive escapes later our team is reunited with revenge on their minds.
Not that they can’t find a little time for bombastic fun on the way. Such as “flying” tanks, drugging B.A. to get him on the “damn plane” and incinerating an entire shipyard (outdoing their descendants The Losers on the ante stakes). This mission they’re on may be selfish (where’s the gallant do-gooding?) with dark overtones, but it’s certainly balanced out by an increase in consistent chuckle factor.
A true ensemble effort (we’re seeing a lot of these this year), the actors risking their reputations by reinterpreting such iconic characters are certainly brave, but are they successful?
Well… Bradley Cooper’s abs are perfectly cast (good thing seeing as they spend much of the film stealing the show) as he continues his ascent to genuine big screen leading man. Liam Neeson’s silver fox locks just about provide the necessary gravitas as he continues to make some wild career choices (umm, Taken anybody?). Sharlto Copley’s manic energy fits character and actor just right for the fast up-and-comer, while, perhaps most unexpectedly, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s fool pitying stands up next to the most legendary character of all, despite his zero acting experience.
So, surprisingly yes, everyone comes off well and no doubt makes their predecessors proud. Even more importantly, all are clearly having a tank-load of fun providing a tangible team feel that sometimes can be sorely lacking in these sort of movies.
Pulling off what some thought impossible, director Joe Carnahan deserves some serious props for making this reboot work.
It’s by no means perfect: it’s slightly overlong, with weak supporting characters – especially a wasted Jessica Biel in a thankless Rosario Dawson-esque Eagle Eye role–selfish actions, slightly off-kilter story, and poor special effects at times.
But it’s also far better than it has any right to be, updating while retaining all the hallmarks you remember from the Saturday afternoon goggle box: fear of flying, construction montages, black Trans Am van, cigar smokin’, lady wooing, Mohawk haircut, maiming not killing (for the most part anyway).
[etRating value=“ 4”]
