The A Team is, quite unsurprisingly, an action-adventure film adaptation of the smash-hit US TV series of the same name. The film stars Liam Neeson as Col. John ‘Hannibal’ Smith, Bradley Cooper as Lt. Templeton ‘Faceman’ Peck, Sharlto Copley as Capt. H.M. ‘Howling Mad’ Murdock, and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson as the infamous Sgt. B.A. ‘Bad Attitude’ Baracus, or ‘Mr T’ for those of you familiar with the Snickers adverts and the timeless “I pity the fool!” catchphrase.
Much like the original TV series (that ran for a respectable five seasons from 1983-1986), the film focuses on four U.S. soldiers who are wrongly imprisoned for a crime that they did not commit. This time however, to add a contemporary spin on the proceedings, they are Iraq War veterans, desperately trying to clear their names with the U.S. military, who suspect them of committing a crime for which they were unduly framed. And how does one go about clearing their name? With plenty of guns, action, fast-cars, familiar catchphrases, and beautiful women of course (what other way is there?).
We are assured by writer Michael Brandt that the film adaptation will breathe new life into the franchise, with a more ‘gritty’ attempt at paying homage to a series that remains known in popular culture for its cartoon-like use of over-the-top violence and formulaic episodes. Like most TV series of its time, it also featured a distinctive theme-tune, coupled with familiar ‘one-liners’ such as “I love it when a plan comes together“, “Hannibal’s on the jazz“, and most memorable to even those unaware of the original series, “I ain’t gettin’ on no plane!” But rest assured A-Team fans, as judging from the trailer and costume design, the film does not appear to want to deviate too much from the original concept and alienate its cult following. You would have to ‘pity the fool’ (in this case Director Joe Carnahan) if such an imprudent decision were ever to be even entertained….
The trailer does contain one prudent line from Lt. Templeton ‘Faceman’ Peck that may quite adequately sum up this venture in a nutshell, “this is beyond nuts boss”. Arguably, any attempt at improving upon the infamous original characters with an entirely new cast may be ‘beyond nuts’, however the film certainly promises to be entertaining, especially for action junkies and muscle-bound testosterone fuelled men, who no doubt will delight in the film’s guiltless attempt to appeal to our baser instincts. Nonetheless, I pity the fool (no pun intended) who cannot at least take some level of satisfaction from watching this classic team of elite soldiers kicking ass again in the 21st century.
The Film Buzz Anticipation Rating: 7/10
UK Release Date: 30th July 2010
Director: Joe Carnahan
Writers: Brian Bloom (screenplay), Michael Brandt (screenplay)
Links: IMDB, Official Site
