I definitely thought "The A Team" was going to be one of those mindlessly entertaining, big explosions galore kinds of summer movies. I wasn't wrong.
I know nothing about the 1980s tv series with the same name, aside from the fact that I *think* the phrase "I pity the fool..." comes from it. So, I really had no background knowledge prior to viewing this movie. I wouldn't say that hindered the experience at all, though. The movie starts out with a brief background story of how the team comes together, and then picks up again 8 years later, during the occupation of Iraq. By then the ragtag team of Army Rangers has earned a reputation of being "the best...special(izing) in the ridiculous." So true. The team is run by Col. John "Hannibal" Smith, who concocts extremely unlikely schemes, using each member's skills to their advantage. But then the team takes on a covert mission that goes awry. Although they are innocent, other forces have framed them, and they become federal fugitives. Keen on reclaiming their rank and reputation, the team must come up with the ultimate plan of revenge and justice.
Liam Neeson plays Hannibal Smith, which both worked and didn't for me. He had the look of a tough guy Ranger, usually with cigar smoke curling around him. But his voice, for which he is so well known, almost put him at a disadvantage. Even in "Batman Begins," when he plays a villain, his voice is oddly soothing. That same aspect makes him ideal to voice Aslan in the Narnia movies. But that voice in a rough war veteran? Didn't quite work. He's also not quite as smooth as some other actors when it comes to cool action scenes, but overall his character was good.
Bradley Cooper plays the role of Lt. Templeton "Faceman" Peck, or just "Face." You can probably guess why. He's handsome with a hint of crazy (which made him great for his role in "Wedding Crashers," among other films), which also kind of sums up Face's persona. He's a little brash, in that charming kind of way. He's kind of Hannibal's second-in-command, as seen when he starts making plans like Hannibal does. Not a bad part for Cooper to play, but also not one that will solidify him as a superstar (which he might not need after "The Hangover").
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson takes over Mr. T's role of Sgt. Bosco "B.A." Baracus. His character is comparatively complex: after years of being the muscle of the team, he turns pacifist after they're framed, claiming he can no longer kill a man. His well of violence all stems from his mohawk (the symbol of his badassery), which he lets grow out during the 6 months of confinement they all had to serve. It's kind of a typical role for a wrestler turned actor, but he did alright.
Sharlto Copley plays Capt. "Howling Mad" Murdock, quite easily the funniest and looniest guy on the team. He specializes in piloting aircraft and he's not quite "all there." But he's hilarious, and he got all the best lines. I had not seen him in anything else before, but I really enjoyed his character.
Jessica Biel plays Face's ex-girlfriend and the team's semi-nemesis. She was responsible for the mission that went wrong (not that it went wrong, though. There's a difference), so there's not a whole lot of happy feelings between her and the team. She's the only woman in the cast, and she's not super effectual. It kind of reminded me of "Stealth," which I've actually never seen...and I thought it was funny that she and Cooper were in a movie together again (the other being "Valentine's Day").
Patrick Wilson plays CIA agent Lynch, who is also involved in the ill-fated mission, and again involved in the redemption mission. I think Patrick Wilson was an okay choice for this character, but I also really don't like Patrick Wilson, so I think someone else would have been more effective. I just see Wilson as a wimpy, snivelling sort of guy, and that's the roles he seems to take on. Coincidence?
All in all, the film was kind of disjointed, with some of those grainy action sequences the Scott brothers are so good at (they had a role in its production). But I thought it was funny (although apparently I was often the only one who thought so). Not necessarily well-acted or magnificently cinematographed (if that's a word...how would you pronounce it? Haha), but enjoyable in its own right. The execution of the plans that Hannibal and Face come up with were pretty cool, and who doesn't love implausible yet successful action sequences? As Hannibal says, "I love it when a plan comes together." So if the plan was to make a movie that's entertaining but doesn't change the face of cinema or draw in tons of revenue - mission accomplished.
