Jason KingThe A Team (9/10)
June 15th 2010 07:42
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I have No Idea What This Section is For!!
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Hands up if you watched the TV show? If you put your hand up - a) you're a goose, I can't see u but b) you will LOVE this film. One of Hannibal's (Liam Neeson) many motto's is "Overkill is under-rated" and this is what the film is exactly. It is over the top the entire way and for this the film is a HUGE success.
THE A-TEAM follows the exciting and daring exploits of a colorful team of former Special Forces soldiers who were set up for a crime they did not commit. Going "rogue," they utilize their unique talents to try and clear their names and find the true culprit. Liam Neeson ("Taken"), Bradley Cooper ("The Hangover"), mixed martial arts champ Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and "District 9" sensation Sharlto Copley, are "The A-Team."
If you can remember the TV show - it was over the top and ridiculous and more like a cartoon/ comic book. And for a TV remake to film it needed to either try and be all serious, and impress the critics that have never seen or cared for the TV show or it needed to recapture the essence of the TV show, and this film does it by bucket loads. The majority of the critics reviews I have read all claim it is too over the top and makes no sense in scenes. Wake up guys, this is what the TV show did episode after episode. I haven't sat through a film being so happy in so long. I laughed at all of the silly one liners and well timed jokes and sat on the edge of my seat through pretty much every action scene - which is nearly the entire film. Because this film is non-stop action.
In regards to the acting I think everyone nailed their characters spot on. OK, Neeson is not as charismatic as George Peppard but holds the character well. I preferred Cooper as The Face as opposed to Dirk Benedict, and he looks way better with his shirt off
. Rampage Jackson made an OK B.A. but I found Mr T's characters more moody and sinister and no one can do that Mr T talk as well. But for me, the man who steals the show from start to finish is District 9's Sharlto Copley. Every single scene this guy is in will have you in stitches. His pay out on Braveheart had me in tears and I may have peed myself seeing him hanging on to a chopper's blade spinning around while singing "You spin me right round baby, right round". He is just brilliant and it will take you a little while to even recognise him as the guy from District 9 - it did help they had to speak Swahili in one scene and once you hear the Sth African accent you will get it. Jessica Biel is ok - she has a weird head and I do not like her profile But she is beautiful.
I think Joe Carnahan was the perfect choice to direct this one. He hasn't directed since the successful Smokin' Aces in 2006 and I think the action was very similar and just as colorful and over the top. Just what was needed. I think critical acclaim was never expected and am quite disappointed that a lot of the US followed the critic's words and avoided the film and instead all packed in to watch the Karate Kid remake (or re-imagining if you prefer). It's a shame as this film is one of the better action films of the year and is one of those films you can kick back, with large popcorn and soft drink, strap yourself in and enjoy the joyous ride.
This film succeeds where The Losers failed miserably and it has character chemistry that works. Also, Patrick Wilson is a much better "bad guy" as opposed to the woeful Jason Patric.
It is out now and well worth the senseless humour and action. No thinking required and worth 9/10. A suggestion - if you do watch it stay until after the credits for a fun scene with the original Face and Murdoch from the TV show.
And just of you want to see Bradley Cooper again
THE A-TEAM follows the exciting and daring exploits of a colorful team of former Special Forces soldiers who were set up for a crime they did not commit. Going "rogue," they utilize their unique talents to try and clear their names and find the true culprit. Liam Neeson ("Taken"), Bradley Cooper ("The Hangover"), mixed martial arts champ Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and "District 9" sensation Sharlto Copley, are "The A-Team."
If you can remember the TV show - it was over the top and ridiculous and more like a cartoon/ comic book. And for a TV remake to film it needed to either try and be all serious, and impress the critics that have never seen or cared for the TV show or it needed to recapture the essence of the TV show, and this film does it by bucket loads. The majority of the critics reviews I have read all claim it is too over the top and makes no sense in scenes. Wake up guys, this is what the TV show did episode after episode. I haven't sat through a film being so happy in so long. I laughed at all of the silly one liners and well timed jokes and sat on the edge of my seat through pretty much every action scene - which is nearly the entire film. Because this film is non-stop action.
In regards to the acting I think everyone nailed their characters spot on. OK, Neeson is not as charismatic as George Peppard but holds the character well. I preferred Cooper as The Face as opposed to Dirk Benedict, and he looks way better with his shirt off
. Rampage Jackson made an OK B.A. but I found Mr T's characters more moody and sinister and no one can do that Mr T talk as well. But for me, the man who steals the show from start to finish is District 9's Sharlto Copley. Every single scene this guy is in will have you in stitches. His pay out on Braveheart had me in tears and I may have peed myself seeing him hanging on to a chopper's blade spinning around while singing "You spin me right round baby, right round". He is just brilliant and it will take you a little while to even recognise him as the guy from District 9 - it did help they had to speak Swahili in one scene and once you hear the Sth African accent you will get it. Jessica Biel is ok - she has a weird head and I do not like her profile But she is beautiful.
I think Joe Carnahan was the perfect choice to direct this one. He hasn't directed since the successful Smokin' Aces in 2006 and I think the action was very similar and just as colorful and over the top. Just what was needed. I think critical acclaim was never expected and am quite disappointed that a lot of the US followed the critic's words and avoided the film and instead all packed in to watch the Karate Kid remake (or re-imagining if you prefer). It's a shame as this film is one of the better action films of the year and is one of those films you can kick back, with large popcorn and soft drink, strap yourself in and enjoy the joyous ride.
This film succeeds where The Losers failed miserably and it has character chemistry that works. Also, Patrick Wilson is a much better "bad guy" as opposed to the woeful Jason Patric.
It is out now and well worth the senseless humour and action. No thinking required and worth 9/10. A suggestion - if you do watch it stay until after the credits for a fun scene with the original Face and Murdoch from the TV show.
And just of you want to see Bradley Cooper again
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Comment by AmyHuang
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Comment by Jason King
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Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
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If I had to chose favorites, I would give high marks to Sharlto Copley...it's just too bad he wasted his talent on the substandard dialogue and inane one-liners.
I think all those beef-cake shots of Bradley Cooper's chest has clouded your judgment ---->
Well to each his own. I'm glad you got our money's worth and I'm glad that I didn't have to pay any money at all.
Comment by Jason King
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
The TV Show was over-produced trash, perhaps a guilty pleasure for some, but so was the original Battlestar Galactica.
I preferred to watch Simon & Simon.
The movie is noisy, silly, totally unnecessary, over-produced crap, just like Prince of Persia. I make no distinction between the two.
Comment by Tracy
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Comment by Jason King
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Go on Tracy - I dare u hahahaha
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I didn't miss the point of the movie, it was just noisy and stupid. If that was the point then it failed to entertain me successfully.
Simon & Simon had a wry sense of humoour I really liked. Actually I did enjoy the original Battlestar but only cos I had a huge crush on Maren Jensen as Athena. I actually saw it at the movies too in sensurround!
I actually didn't mind the Miami Vice big screen re-boot, I certainly liked the look and vibe of it. But hey, maybe I'm deluded ... and a touch cynical
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I didn't watch the TV series religiously. My brothers were huge fans though and I might have watched a few shows with them. I remember loving the theme music more than the TV show.
Comment by Janet Collins
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