Four out of
Five stars
Running time:
117 mins
Featuring car smashes, explosions and topless men, Joe Carnahan's reimagining of The A-Team will certainly satisfy those who crave action and adventure.
What's it all about?
After being framed for a crime which they were originally sent out to uncover, the four members of The A-Team work to clear their names by any means necessary. From insane upside down helicopter scenes, which are sure to make anyone feel a bit dizzy, to nail-bitingly close shaves with death around every corner, the film definitely utilises the budget and pulls out all the stops making audiences 'oo' and 'ah' in awe.
The Good
Liam Neeson can do no wrong by me. Everything I see him in, he's fantastic, and this is no exception. He plays disgraced Colonel John "Hannibal" Smith, leader of the The Alpha Team, otherwise known as The A-Team. Members of his disgraced troupe include Templeton 'Faceman' Peck (Bradley Cooper), Murdock (Sharlto Copley) and B.A Baracus (Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson). Neeson makes leadership of a reckless team look easy and takes on the swagger of Hannibal, smoking a cigar like a pro. Bradley Cooper steps into the shoes of 'big Hollywood star' easily, showing he has real lasting power in the industry as well as showing his skills at 'flying' a tank. Stand out performance for me, however, was Sharlto Copley. From being recognised as extremely talented in District 9, Copley provides some excellent comic relief throughout the film and good banter with Jackson's B.A Baracus.
The Worrisome
I thought the story itself could've been developed just that little bit more. It would've been nice if we learned a bit more about Hannibal's backstory, or backstories for any of the characters for that matter. Jessica Biel as Charisa Sosa was average as she always is, really dragging the film down. Couldn't they have found someone a bit more charismatic?
Worth seeing?
If you're a fan of the TV show or you're keen for an action-heavy blockbuster, then go for it.
Film Trailer
The A-Team (M)