Reel Review : The A Team

PLOT: A top-secret unit of Army Rangers, stationed in Iraq, and made up of team leader Hannibal (Liam Neeson), scrounger/confidence man Face (Bradley Cooper), muscle man B.A Baracus (Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson), and pilot Murdock (Sharlto Copley) are sent to recover US currency counterfeit templates from an Iraqi General. The team is framed when their commander is murdered and the plates are stolen, and must go on the run to prove their innocence- while being pursued by Face's ex-girlfriend, Lt. Sosa (Jessica Biel).


 
*** This review may contain spoilers ***

An amazing send-up to the funnest 80s action-comedy series, this movie delivers on every level. On being an homage and recreation of the old show, it's fantastic. On being a send-up to 80s style movies and shows in general, its wonderful. As an action-comedy in its own right, its flawless.

Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Sharlto Copley, and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson perform their roles beautifully. Full of energy, these four play off each other perfectly. I couldn't have asked for better chemistry. And when your four stars nail it so well, you just gotta smile. Everyone else does a remarkable job in their roles as well, from the wonderful Gerald McRaney to Jessica Biel to Patrick Wilson. With such interesting and entertaining character portrayals, you're hooked into every scene. With many movies like this, the scenes that stray away from our hero(es) often ruin the pacing of the movie or allow the viewer to distance themselves from the action on screen. Not this movie. You're hooked from start to finish.

The dialogue is witty, and the humor is relentless. The musical score provided by the amazing Alan Silvestri is perfect in each scene, and he manages to recreate Mike Post and Pete Carpenter's classic TV Show theme with flying colors. The special effects are great, not top-notch, but great (if I had any complaint that was it). The pacing is relentless, as it should be. The story is wonderfully told. And the editing is perfect, with the intricate juxtaposition of scenes in just the right place, like a puzzle being finished before your eyes.

****Semi Spoiler****

And be sure to stay after the credits, for awesome cameos from Dirk Benedict and Dwight Schultz (the original Face and Murdock respectively). Mr. T refused his cameo offer, which is just ludicrous. I'm sure George Peppard would have had a cameo as well if hadn't tragically passed away in '94.

****Semi Spoiler Over****

Great action, great acting, great music, great story, great delivery, great everything. The cast and crew were flawless in their execution. ... I love it when a plan comes together.

B+