Ok, this is not your mother's A-Team. While the original A-Team had its own elements of the ridiculous, (no one ever dying, everything always a "flesh wound" no baddies EVER being able to shoot our boys) this reboot is FAR more so. Absolutely nothing you see in this film feels even remotely based in any reality that I subscribe to, however, it IS a helluva lot of fun.
Now, on to casting; I can't stand Jessica Biel, but it's not her fault, and I doubt I would have appreciated ANY chick in a film such as this. I realize having some female eye-candy is a requirement, but the "relationship" that she and Face were supposed to have shared was completely topical and not really all that convincing. Also, would it be possible for a mainstream movie to portray a female in the military with just a tidbit more respect? It's like they didn't even teach her how to hold a gun properly. She was more convincing in Blade Trinity, and that was a VAMPIRE movie.
Speaking of Face, Bradley Cooper made a notable effort, but I just wasn't convinced. I thought he did a better job than I was expecting, but I still feel he was wrong for the part and looked like he was trying too hard through most of the film. In a weird way, I felt Patrick Wilson who played the film's villian, Lynch (classic!), would have made a better Face. PS on Face, Dirk Benedict shows up in the film and I won't say where or when, but...AWESOME.
As for BA, I actually liked this Rampage Jackson dude; he filled the shoes well and I enjoyed him. I heard that he was disappointed with how he came across in the film, and felt it wasn't good for his image, but I really liked him. I thought he played the inner struggle-between his nature and wanting to to the right thing-well, considering his lack of experience. Plus, he was completely buyable as a badass who could kick the snot out of anybody who crossed him.
Wilson, as mentioned before, played the CIA big-bad in a cheeky, likeable way, but I prefered him in the first and second acts as opposed to the third. In the final few strides of the film he just goes a little too nutty for me (ala Jason Patric in this year's The Losers), playing Lynch off as a corny, arrogant, I-own-the-world type asshole. But seriously, Jon Hamm showing up for ten seconds as yet another Lynch? Pitch-perfect. In general it's hard for me to root against Wilson, he's talented and likeable so I had to fight myself to root for the team during the final action sequence.
Last but not, not, NOT least, Hannibal and Murdock. Holy crap these two were PERFECT. I adore Liam Neeson and I admit I was sketchy on his pulling this off when I first heard of the casting but MAN was I wrong. He is absolutely wonderful...the cigar, the smile, the dedication to his men, it's all there and it's fanTAStic. Also, he's huge and I've never doubted his abilities when it came to being a tough guy. I mean have you seen Taken? Hell yes, Liam Neeson can kick your ass.
However, Sharlto Copley totally hit it out of the park as Murdock. I thank my lucky stars that Neill Blomkamp threw his friend into District 9 (one of my absolute favorite movies of 2009) so that he was able to get this role. Murdock was the only dude I could not figure out an ideal man for when they first announced this film. He's so funny and batshit crazy and loyal that I just couldn't pick a modern actor out of a lineup for him. Copley is amazing, he even gets an opportunity to use his real speaking voice in the film as a press lackey, he does a few others as well throughout the film. There are too-many wicked lines and moments to rehash, but know this; he ALONE is worth the price of admission.
Now, as for the plot, it was light but workable. Face and Hannibal are the only two acquainted in the opening and are working to put some Mexican lowlife assholes out of business. Hannibal meets BA by complete accident and they stage a rescue to get Face, who slept with the Jefe's wife (on top of everything else) and is about to be lit on fire. They reach an army hospital, having formed a bond for life, and find your friendly insane army ranger, Murdock, at which point they stage another amazing escape in a bucket of bolts that Murdock flies so well, even the Mexicans chasing them are impressed, "Did you see how he flipped the helicopter?!" By luring the baddies over the border, they accomplish their goal and it's "Adios Mother Fucker," Hello A-Team. Did I mention Murdock pancake's BA's ride during said escape? 'Twas CLASSIC.
As for the rest, we're in the final stages of Iraqi withdrawl when the CIA realizes Saddam loyalists have American mint engraving plates and Hannibal and his team are "not" sent in to get them back. After a wildly raucous plan comes together and they retrieve said money and plates, they are subsequently double-crossed, burned and thrown into various jails. After the CIA helps bust them out of prison, they are off to retrieve the plates (again) from the private security firm that stole them...only to find out that they were betrayed by the one person who they thought could have cleared their names, who, by the way, they thought was DEAD. Eventually, and by using a very clever plan (which Face made up!) they divide and conquer the CIA and security firm bringing everything out into the open and clearing their names. The clean slate doesn't last long however, being that they are arrested AGAIN for breaking out of prison the first time. Hmm...I wonder if they'll STAY locked up?
It's an enjoyable film, with more laughs than I was expecting and pretty solid action; though, the hand-to-hand combat is too choppy for me. Not every fight needs to have fast angles. Pretty much ever sequence is ridiculous save the opening rescue scene, however, my favorite sequence is definitely the "tank-flying" incident, made all the better by the random German couple who have been married for WAY too long.
Bottom line, if you're an action or summer movie junkie like I am, this flick is for you. It made me feel the same way I felt watching GI Joe last year, like a little kid, who doesn't care if shit can really happen in real life or not. It's a total blast and pretty hilarious; basically it's a guaranteed good time. Check your reality at the door, and have a wicked awesome ride.
