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.