To most of the Generation Y bracket, Mr. T. is ‘the Snickers guy’. But he actually was an actor, for TV series The A-Team is where he first embraced his uniquely tough-yet-flamboyant persona. Fast forward twenty or so years later and we find ourselves with the latest TV-to-film reboot and UFC fighter Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson filling in his shoes. With a few societal changes and some big action, it maintains a wholesome old-school feel that the young’uns just aren’t used to.

Joe Carnahan’s follow up to 2006’s Smokin’ Aces changes the awesome foursome from Vietnam to Iraq War veterans – who have to operate covertly on a CIA-run mission to prove to the US military that they were framed for a crime they didn’t commit. It’s action from the get-go as character introductions take little time and background stories aren’t immediately important. That is an invigorating change after the endless ‘origin’ stories audiences are now subjected to, regardless of their strengths or weaknesses. As the story progresses and more characters are woven into the plot, the pace doesn’t change and there’s a strong story with a few neat twists thrown into the mix. The sub-plot between ladies man ‘Faceman’ Peck (real-life ladies man Bradley Cooper) and former flame Charisa Sosa (Jessica Biel) doesn’t interfere with the overall story, and pop culture references are used well for comic relief. The prolonged climactic stoush detracts slightly but recovers quickly to create a general but intriguing ending.

There are plenty of laughs as The A-Team’s kept light. Carnahan uses the four to great effect; particularly newcomer Sharlto Copley (District 9) as Murdock, whose manic nature both surprises and stuns. Cooper, going down the Hugh Grant-inspired ‘charmer’ road, is settling in nicely to big roles, while Liam Neeson as Colonel ‘Hannibal’ Smith presents a friendly-but-badass father figure to Jackson’s inspired ‘BA’ Baracus. There’s a great on-screen team chemistry, and with Patrick Wilson as CIA agent Lynch and Brian Bloom’s villain Pike, the ensemble are engaging – even with a bit of cheese thrown in. Sex and gruesome violence are replaced with near-childish baddies and big explosions to see a return to the action of old, when swearing wasn’t the only sign of frustration. The big explosions at least would no doubt be an influence of the Scott brothers, working as producers on the film with original series writer Stephen J. Cannell. The intrigue of The A-Team comes from genuine (albeit minor) suspense and the appreciation of these males’ special bond after their experiences – much like that other foursome currently on our screens…

Verdict

They say there’s no better; The A-Team succeeds in blasting onto the big screen with big attitude.

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