The A-Team
Director: Joe Carnahan
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Liam Neeson, Rampage Jackson, Sharlto Copley, Jessica Biel
Details: US/117mins 12A
Those that found Michael Mann's recent adaptation of 80s action show Miami Vice too serious for their tastes should enjoy this unabashedly cheesy, but action heavy, big screen adaptation of that decade's other much loved TV show. Capturing the absurdist tone of the series perfectly, you get the impression talented director Joe Carnahan has made exactly the kind of film funding studio Fox wanted him to. Low on plot, character and smarts, but high on laughs, explosions and that elusive fun factor, this is a good time at the multiplex - nothing more, nothing less.
We first meet The A-Team in a Mexican desert, as both Face (Cooper) and Hannibal's (Neeson) lives are in imminent danger. Hannibal manages to escape, meeting fellow US Ranger B.A (Jackson) on the way to rescue Face. The lads then proceed to take out the bad guys in a typically extravagant fashion, before breaking out former pilot and mental patient Murdoch (Copley), to fly them to safety. Several years later and they're a tight, elite unit in Iraq, who are the first soldiers their commanding officer comes to when a dangerous job needs doing. When one such gig involving printing plates for $100 bills are stolen, the team are framed and sent to the slammer for ten years a piece.
Carnahan isn't a helmer who you'd instantly think of to make a family friendly action flick looking at his previous efforts - the gritty and brilliant Narc, and the more ostentatious Smokin' Aces. Both were extremely violent, visceral pieces of work, but the catch is The A-Team has infinitely more people being killed, but is somehow less violent. The tone is light and breezy, and the action hugely entertaining until a messy, incoherent final set-piece. In fairness, that is the only time he drops the ball, and there's an almost Last Boy Scout feel to proceedings before that - sans the acerbic use of curse words, of course.
Casting wise, Cooper's cocky Face and Patrick Wilson's smug CIA Operative are the pick of the bunch, with Jackson's BA never really given a chance to shine. Those that know the UFC fighter's riotous personality will be disappointed that he doesn't get a chance to run his mouth a bit more, but he's still genuinely inspired casting. Neeson struggles a bit as he's given the worst dialogue, and Copley just goes suitably nuts - bringing most of the laughs in the process.
It is, essentially, the movie many hoped it would be; extremely entertaining and very silly.
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Your Reviews
Cheesey, predictable, made me laugh! - WizKid
I went to see ths movie because we arrived too late for the last showing of Inception and A-Team happened to be on next. It is silly, cheesey and you can see what's coming up well ahead of time, but... MORE
Review Published 24 August 2010
Great remake - chell3
i have never seen any tv shows of the a team,, but this movie is class!! and i loved the fact they kept the movie open for a second movie maybe!! ?? and if there was to be another one id defo go see... MORE
Review Published 23 August 2010
a team greatness!! - michelle o callaghan
i have never watched the tv show ever!! but i thought id go see this movie and i loved it,, really enjoyable, great storyline.. (',) just brilliant!! recommend it to anyone
Review Published 21 August 2010
A Team to Z List - TedOReilly
Having spent years of my childhood humming the A-Team intro religously on a saturday night I was obviously very excited to hear that a remake was in production, But having seen the film, to class my... MORE
Review Published 20 August 2010
Bad... - Skooal
Ina few words:if you are old enough to rememeber and idolise the TV program don't bother, as bad as charlie's angels the movie...
Review Published 20 August 2010
It does what it says on the tin ! - dewsbury
Do go to this movie if you expect high art. Good simple fun with no great pretensions A few beers might help tho'! Padraig O'Dea Eaton Square Monkstown
Review Published 14 August 2010
I pity the fool who doesn't go see this - jcb
As a child of the '80s, I grew up watching the A-Team every saturday evening before bed time. Luckily, the makers of this movie didn't try to "update" or make it "relevant to... MORE
Review Published 12 August 2010
Have seen it 3 times - edel mccrudden2
This film was not something that I was looking forward to, however having seen it 3 times it's just still so funny! Even though some of the stunts will have you saying "not a chance" the... MORE
Review Published 12 August 2010
silly fun - Derek
The A-Team are back, the plot is daft but there are enough jokes and explosions to paste over the cracks. Enjoy it for what it is... a bit of fun.
Review Published 11 August 2010
fun - liam
i got what i expected and wanted it was entertaining silly and fun! the a team for many of us were our sat afternoon childhood and for this if it was nt ridiculous then there would be no point in... MORE
Review Published 09 August 2010
pure entertainment - Rares
Went with my missus and we enjoyed 2 hours of pure entertainment. Lots of bangs and funny one liners, good acting. Highly recommended!!
Review Published 09 August 2010
How to make a remake - Mark
Ah, mediocre reviews, bless them. I dragged my girlfriend and our low expectations to the cinema, not exactly kicking and screaming, but certainly not turning any cartwheels. My girlfriend is... MORE
Review Published 09 August 2010
The A Team - Noreen
Went to see the A Team on Saturday with my Husband and Kids, it was the most exciting movie that we have seen this year. it was better than the TV series i thought.
Review Published 09 August 2010
So funny I watched it twice! - Rachel K
Just the right balance between cheese and action. The cast melded together perfectly and having watched it as a child, I think it played true to the old show but took a tasteful change in direction... MORE
Review Published 06 August 2010
excellent - cello
Meet all my expectations....
Review Published 04 August 2010
Best action movie ever!! - BOS 99
OH MY GOD! Im still in shock by how amazing this movie was! The way they put all the plans together was extraordinary. This definitely a movie every guy in the world should see,girls not so much. To... MORE
Review Published 04 August 2010
Good Action and Special affects - jennith
This remake of the 80s TV show I think has stayed true to the TV series it is all about fun and action and leaves the storyline behind and does not take itself too seriously. I did enjoy seeing how... MORE
Review Published 04 August 2010
A-looonnnngg team - tiggsbounce1
Well this movie ticks most of the boxes as far as a good movie going experience. Its fun, lots of explosions and lots of nostalgia for the A-team fans from old to enjoy. Its enjoyable and the team... MORE
Review Published 04 August 2010
a great spectacle of action and entertainment - d kelly
This is by far movie of the year. its got everything, edge of your seat action, it entertaining and its fun. Ive seen it twice and would go to see it again. Liam neeson is brilliant. In my top four... MORE
Review Published 04 August 2010
Lets face it The A-team are rubbish - jack brown
I have to admit I watched many episodes of A-team in the 1980's and if you seen 1 episode you have seen them all . They had no plots and the A-team would fire hundreds of rounds every episode without... MORE
Review Published 03 August 2010
When will these remakes end? - Keith R
For those of us who haven't found the sacrilegious butchering of multiple 80s franchises over the last few years to prompt complete disillusionment, behold Joe Carnahan's interpretation of the... MORE
Review Published 02 August 2010
surprisingly entertaining - Mr T
I really didnt expect too much from this film and was buoyed up by the sight of liam neeson chomping a cigar...so all in all a very enjoyable film and well worth a wet evevening's viewing.
Review Published 02 August 2010
An Absolute Shocker - Gibs
Where to start, The opening 5 minutes really tell you all you need to know about this poorly made film. I like my action films and I have no problem checking my brain at the door when required but... MORE
Review Published 30 July 2010
A Good Film that could have been better - Ronan Conlon
The A team is a good action film that doesn't take it self seriously and has some good action pieces in it. The cast put in a good job to make this a film worth seeing this summer that won't tax your... MORE
Review Published 29 July 2010
Good Fun - niamh
This film has split opinion with some people loving it and others hating it personaly I enjoyed it I am old enough to remember the TV series and I loved it but I also enjoyed this movie.I think they... MORE
Review Published 29 July 2010
I love how this plan came together... - simonconnolly
Based on the 80's television show of the same name The A-Team is about a group of skilled and seemingly fearless American soldiers who specialise in the ridiculous. And this speciality is tested when... MORE
Review Published 26 July 2010
A-Team is Alriiight - James
I must say, when I heard they were making this, I was worried, I was expecting a major let-down of a film....I was wrong. I saw this yesterday and was very impressed by it, A-team works on a lot of... MORE
Review Published 26 July 2010
satisfying - JACK BROWN
'The A-Team' Makes a Gratifying Transition to the Big Screen similar to The Losers, a film about a group of special operatives betrayed by their superiors who went rogue in order to clear their good... MORE
Review Published 23 July 2010
THE A TEAM - PETER
HI JUST WHAT TO KNOW WHEN IS THE THE A TEAM IS COMING OUT. PETER
Review Published 04 July 2010
The usual action film , better than expected but still average - Cyberx_94
The A team The A-team is a remake/reboot of the 80's series of the same name and stars Liam Neeson and is directed by Joe Carnahan. This version sees the team getting set up and framed while on a... MORE
Review Published 20 June 2010
could have been better - christopher
For better and for worse, Joe Carnahan's big-screen version of The A-Team captures the superficial, noisy spirit of the TV series.
Review Published 11 June 2010
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