Growing up with the A-Team TV series, you will want to watch the movie version of it. The film "almost" mirrors the excitement of the series and we were glad it did. Two A list actors are here with Liam Neeson leading as Hannibal and Bradley Cooper as Face. These two made the movie entertaining and upheld the characters true to the TV series.
The other two, Sharlto Copley (as Murdock) and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (as BA Baracus) provided support to complete the cast of the A-Team. Copley was the surprise hit here as we thought he not only personified the cooky pilot character here but he was excellent playing the role. He pushed the character to the point that I forgot who the actor was in the TV series. He created the character to himself and provided the needed comic relief in the movie. Jackson as BA Baracus was in a difficult position. Mr. T in the TV series was so endearing that it was a tough act to follow. Mr. T was intimidating and forceful, meanwhile Jackson was charming. Quite a different character that we had to adjust while watching and hoping to like him till the end.
Liam Neeson was credible here, much more than George Peppard but his character was "altered" somehow to reflect the original series. I wish they haven't done it so, Neeson is a strong actor that he can portray the character according to his personification and we might have liked it. Nevertheless, he still did a good job here as Hannibal.
Bradley Cooper as Face is a shoo in for role. He was the bestest fit here if you compare him with the tv series. Great looking, suave, fast talker, he is the Face we would like to see next to Dirk Benedict. We can't see fault in his characterization here.
Taken together, they form the A-team, a group of Iraq War veterans who were wrongly accused and tries to clear their name in the whole film. Following in their footsteps is the Charissa Sosa (played by Jessica Biel) hoping to catch them and bring the team to justice.
Unlike in the TV series, this film is their "origin" story. So expect half of the film to be just that. Although we find the film entertaining, it fell short in the reality sector. The story line is a bit messy and muddled that we were confused up to half of the film. There were the usual twists that we expected and extended the movie and added a bit of life hoping to bring us the explosive conclusion in the end. If you are into the "believe" factor, then the action scenes here would be problem for you. We just couldn't fathom the idea of one flying a tank. Of how container vans explode and they destroyed buildings and a seaport, yes a sea port, just because they can. It was too overblown for us just to make a point.
Like the TV series, they always have a plan, (in this case ridiculous nearing the absurd) and we like it when the plan comes together. Although passing our taste halfway, we don't think we would be seeing a sequel. We do hope it will be rebooted though with a credible story and a new team altogether.
A watchable film, a thin but nice story line with messed up action scenes and maybe lost drama, the movie can be watched on a friday evening if you like to see Liam Neeson and Bradley Cooper together.
