Review of The A-Team (2010) by Zanele J — 05 Jan 2013

Origin story, and a lovely one we have characters reacting organically to their environment and the result is an action packer thriller that kindles very old and dear memories.

In the first act, the Alpha unit is set up and stripped of formal rank, they are incarcerated in separate military prison's, they escape and resolve to clear their names and solve the problem they were framed trying to solve, this is very personal for the Team and patriotic for Hannibal, he begged for this assignment. In the second Act the A-Team are running around attempting to clear their names but get thwarted as their bargaining chip is executed, they are weary and Face hatches a plan, in the third act, the plan is in motion and Pike throws a monkey wrench but the plan, narrowly succeeds.

The mission impossible like action sequences are very daring, bold and fluid. Although there's plenty of action sequences, the characters are never compromised, they come alive, the action sequences are neat and support the narrative, we root for the A-Team and for we hate the bad guys, especially Lynch, we don't understand his motives, but they are sinister.

Liam Neeson is fitting as Hannibal, he cares for each of their men and approaches each according to where they are in life, the A-Team has four men and each at a different space in their lives, they are committed to each other and do not bring their baggage to the team. Even after realizing they were set up by the general, they are tempted to question Hannibal but come to their senses. Bradley Cooper is takes Face with madness, and Sharlto Copley plays Murdoch as a sane lunatic.

Direction is attentive to the details and there are many details in the movie, dialog, the props, and meticulous action sequences, there are many scenes that makes the movie feels fresh and lively, like the photo booth shot with Jessica Biel and Bradley Cooper, Baracus running vertically down a skyscraper.

Cant wait for the sequel.