Reviewed By: Emanuel Caros

Continuing the trend of 80's remakes, The A-Team brings back television's team of Army Rangers who "specialize in the ridiculous" as they complete mission after mission in extravagant fashion.  This big budget remake was sculpted from its earliest stages as a summer blockbuster and major money-maker, and in the words of Colonel Hannibal Smith: I love it when a plan comes together! 

Surprisingly enjoyable, The A-Team makes for a fun action film peppered with the perfect balance of humor and serious plot.  While thrilling missions and clever escapes make for a large portion of the films likability, most credit belongs to the terrific casting of the infamous four.  Group leader Colonel John "Hannibal" Smith is played perfectly by the always-terrific Liam Neeson (Star Wars: Episode 1, Taken) and his natural cool coincides evenly with the character's reliance on planning and fate.  Bradley Cooper (The Hangover, Midnight Meat Train) plays Templeton "Faceman" Peck, a tactical expert and dashingly handsome ladies man.  "Face" is a typical role for the in-demand Cooper, but it's hard to deny that his charm seeps through in almost every character he plays.  Probably most famous aspect of the entire series is Mr. T's " bulky driver, B.A. Baracus, who this time around is portrayed by UFC fighter Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.  His earlier roles displayed poor line delivery and really bad timing when it came to choreographed fighting; but while his MMA career is seemingly on the decline, his acting has improved as Jackson is more than sufficient as the sentimental brute.  And while those performances were all wonderful, the greatest of them all was that of Sharlto Copley (District 9).  The clinically insane, yet extremely gifted pilot is hilariously played by the South African up-and-comer whether he's stitching up B.A. or re-enacting a scene from Braveheart. The only negative is that his character's southern accent seems to be broken up here and there as Colpey reverts to his native South African.  Bit players Jessica Biel (The Illusionist, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry) and Patrick Wilson (Hard Candy, Watchmen) don't add anything special to the film.  A late appearance by Jon Hamm (Don Draper in Mad Men) hopefully alludes to his taking over as the villain in subsequent sequels.  

Aesthetically, the film looks pretty good, but suffers from Transformers-Syndrome in which fight scenes are shot too close and audiences can't tell what is going on.  Plot-wise, the most exciting part of the movie is the first half in which viewers are introduced to the team and all their traits, but once the main story kicks in around the 2nd act everything slows down considerably.  Other than those flaws, the film is what it sought out to be, something other filmmakers often fail at producing (see: G.I. Joe): a fun and exciting summer action flick.

6.5/10