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'A-Team' just that for fans of '80s series

by jmaloni
Thu, Aug 12th 2010 01:50 pm

Review by Matt Crouch

*What you are about to read is a cinematic review. Each movie is critiqued based on its rating-pending (PG or R), Genre (Comedy or Thriller), the acting, the score, the plot, and the overall quality of the movie. Hence, just because there are explosions, blood, or you think George Clooney/Megan Fox is "hot" does not mean it's a good film. Or does it. ... You be the judge.*

 

‘A-Team' (2010)

CAST

Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel, Quinton Jackson, Sharito Copley

Director: Joe Carnahan - "Smokin' Aces" and "Pride and Glory"

Written by: Joe Carnahan and Brian Bloom - "Smokin' Aces," "A-Team" TV series

 

STORYBOARD

Based on the 1980s TV series, but with a more modern twist, four American Army Rangers in Iraq are sent on a mission to recover plates used to print more than $1 billion in fake $100 U.S. bills. After doing the job and returning to the base, their commanding officer is killed in an explosion and another operative steals the plates. The rangers are blamed for the death of the commanding officer and are court marshaled (due to the mission being top secret) and are sent to prison. Hannibal Smith (Neeson) and his team now must escape prison and find out who set them up and why.

There is only one thing that this highly skilled team is yearning for: Revenge. And they'll be hunting for it alone, as mercenaries, while the U.S. militia forces are hunting down these heroes-turned-fugitives.

THE DISPOSITION

I never watched the "A-Team" growing up. While this '80s series was a hit, I was into "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and Pogs (Deep down I hated that game). But because of the generation gap, I honestly never saw an episode of the TV series. So this review is based off of a neutral fan of the original show.

I enjoyed it. I'm sure Mr. T did a much better job than Quinton Jackson, but it was a pretty decent film. If you're looking for an action-packed explosion fest with some laughs along the ride, this is your movie. The acting is done surprisingly well with this great cast, especially for Copley (Captain Murdock), the "District 9" rising star. Surprisingly, unlike his last film, he is quite hilarious and has a great personality to relate with.

However, there are a few scenes where the special effects could be put together better. (A giant shipping dock overloading all of its crates by one bazooka. There is no way one bazooka can do that. I'm not an expert, but come on!) But there is enough excitement and comedy to get you to forget about it. Overall it was funny, exciting, entertaining and even offers some moves you wouldn't have expected.

 "I LOVED IT!!"

Fans of the original 1980s series and of "M.A.S.H."

3 out of 5 stars

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