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By Rob Holmes (of RedCarpetCrash.com)
As a graduate of the school of 1980s action television shows, watching The A-Team on the big screen is a bit of a dream come true. One who would merely call The A-Team a ‘guilty pleasure’ does not quite understand its impact on culture. The A-Team television series was perhaps the most action-packed, high-octane, testosterone-filled show in recent memory. The title of the show has become almost a synonym for ‘manly’. Despite its place in history, and the dozen of rounds ammunition shot in almost every scene, the show was purposefully non-violent and always showed the team finding a way to solve problems with their wits.
The late great George Peppard’s role as the team’s leader and mastermind Colonel John ‘Hannibal’ Smith is, in my opinion, one of the most colorful in television history. That is saying a lot since he shared the screen with a clinically insane helicopter pilot and a mohawked muscleman garnished with fifty pounds of chains. Enough of the tearful reminiscence. On to the movie…
The film begins with Hannibal Smith played brilliantly by Liam Neeson (Taken, Schindler’s List) rescuing his fellow special forces teammate, a fast-talking womanizing Templeton ‘Faceman’ Peck in a colorful performance by Bladley Cooper (The Hangover, Nip/Tuck). The escape involved assembling two more team members, both fellow US Special Forces, B.A. Baracus played by Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson (of Ultimate Fighting fame) and H.M. Murdock played by a very quirky Sharlto Copley (District 9). Neeson as Hannibal and Cooper as Faceman were good tributes to their original counterparts, while Rampage as B.A. and Copley as Murdock were slightly reinvented for the new movie. All were quite entertaining.
The movie is directed & co-written by Joe Carnahan whose previous hits “Narc” (2002) and “Smokin’ Aces” (2006) were action packed and filmed in a unique gritty-yet-glossy style that has become a sort of signature for this filmmaker. “The A-Team” is a much higher budget film but still true to Carnahan’s style. As some reviewers may liken The A-Team to a Michael Bay film, I would disagree. Even though there are some grandiose sequences, Carnahan did not take this film (or himself) too seriously and played a slight parody/tribute angle much like Todd Phillips’ “Starky & Hutch”.
What was the plot? Oh, yeah there was a bit of a plot. The A-Team was commissioned to recover engraving plates for making counterfeit money but was double-crossed and framed for their theft. The team is imprisoned, escapes and on the run while attempting to locate the plates and clear their names. There are a number of antagonists in this film, one of which is played by the beautiful Jessica Biel (7th Heaven, The Illusionist) who is also Faceman’s ex-wife. Patrick Wilson (Night Owl from “Watchmen”) added a lot of personality to what could have been a one-dimensional weaselly CIA character that seems to populate most pursuit films. I was delighted to see 1980s action television star Gerald McRainey (Simon & Simon) as an integral character and mentor and friend to Hannibal Smith. The villain was played by another prolific actor of 1980s Brian Bloom who was also credited as co-writer.
As in many origin-style films, The A-Team ends where the television show begins. The team is on the run and they become mercenaries for good. The final narration of the film was the opening narration of the series” “Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire… The A-Team.”
You don’t necessarily have to check your brain at the door to enjoy The A-Team, but if you understand it isn’t intended to be the second coming of “Braveheart”, you will have a great time. Ladies, this is the perfect film to take your husband for Date Night. He will thank you.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
Face was my name at school. I am not a boy but my ways are just like his.
I thought Mr. T was the man at school
I LOVED this movie. I am a huge fan of the original A-Team and in my opinion it was very well done. The acting was spot on, especially for Murdock. If you’re going to the movie expecting something deep and thought provoking then you will be disappointed. In my opinion this is a movie for someone that wants to have fun and not think about work for a couple of hours. Yes, the entire movie was absolutely ridiculous. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time and I enjoyed every minute of it.