January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Movie review: The A-Team ****
The A-Team
****
Stars: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Sharlto Copley, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson
Director: Joe Carnahan
Rated: PG-13
Showing: Southside Cinema, Times unavailable
Runtime: 117 minutes
Adventure/comedy
The long-awaited big screen version of the hit 1980s TV series — and you’ll pity the fool who misses it.
Our heroes are now Iraq war veterans instead of Vietnam vets but not much else has changed.
Murdock is still howling mad and Hannibal remains a master tactician who “loves it when a plan comes together”, while Face is a smooth-talking ladies man and vehicle ace B.A. is tough but terrified of flying.
The quartet is an elite commando unit sent to prison for a crime they did not commit — but they bust out to clear their names, which involves a string of elaborate, exciting stunts.
The over-the-top action is thrilling, inventive and hugely enjoyable despite being unbelievable — notably when they fly a tank using parachutes, soaring through the sky firing its cannons.
The A-Team is dumb fun at its finest with lots of cartoonish violence. But unlike the series, there is a lot of sex and graphic violence. On TV no one ever got hurt despite the fist-fights and shoot-outs but the movie’s body count is high.
The cast step comfortably into the formidable shoes of the original stars. Sharlto Copley (District 9) is hilarious as crazy helicopter pilot Murdock, effortlessly blending humour with a dangerous streak. Bradley Cooper (The Hangover) looks good as Face, while Liam Neeson munches Hannibal’s cigar as well as George Peppard.
The weakest link is Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson as gold-loving, fool-pitying B.A. The Ultimate Fighting champion has never acted before and it shows.
Watch if you liked: The A-Team, The Losers.
For more information about film times, call 297-2821.
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