We have all seen a myriad of absolutely wretched TV show remakes hit the big screen. There are unquestionably moments when just seeing a trailer for the latest remake is enough to make you cringe. Hearing about a some of these films is enough to make many think to themselves, "They're going to make what into a movie? Why? Why would they bother? Seriously, why?" I am therefore pleased to report that the latest of these TV remakes, The A-Team, is actually pretty good.
The film is directed by Joe Carnahan (Smokin' Aces) and stars Liam Neeson as Hannibal Smith, Bradley Cooper as Templeton "Faceman" Peck, Sharlto Copley as H.M. Murdock, and Quinton
"Rampage" Jackson as B.A. Baracus. Yes, that's right, Liam Neeson stars as Hannibal Smith, and what may be surprising to some is that he's really good in the role – the man honestly appears to be giving it his all and enjoying himself immensely at the same time. He is not just sleepwalking through the film for a quick payday. In fact, the sense of enjoyment that Neeson gives is the same vibe one gets from the rest of the cast (which also includes Jessica Biel, Patrick Wilson, Brian Bloom, and Gerald McRaney).
The film, while certainly not part of the same timeline as the original series, functions as an origin story for the these soldiers of fortune. We get to see them meet one another (except for Face and Hannibal who were already working together), become great at their jobs, and before too long get framed for a crime which they did not commit. The particulars of the story revolve around the DOD going up against the CIA as well as a private security company, Black Forest, with the A-Team caught in the middle. It is probably better to not get too bogged down in the particulars, because that is certainly where the film is at its weakest. Motivations for the bad guys revolve almost solely around cash, and there is more than one particular which will make you scratch your head if you think too much.
Also unfortunate is the fact that one does get the sense watching the movie that the four leads are perfectly safe the entire time, no matter how bad things look. Outside of the everyone-hates-everyone-else plot—they're 
all dupes or bad guys except for the A-Team—it never really feels like Hannibal's crew is in trouble, and that is a problem. Hannibal Smith is still a man who loves his plans in this movie, and even it appears as though the plan isn't working, there's never a moment when you will think to yourself that Hannibal and company haven't actually considered the various reversals (no matter what the guys may claim). And that is a disappointment. It is fun to watch things unfold, but if there was actually a greater sense of danger or more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants sensation it would work better.
.jpg?t=20130517094513)
Article comments