Running Time: 117 minutes.
Media: DVD.
There has been a lot of controversy regarding this film's performance... Supposedly Roger Ebert, critic extraordinaire was a little "zealous" in his review, citing examples in physics to justify the ludicrousness of the scene with the falling tank... Ebert, in his efforts to do so, however, missed the important part of the film... The film itself.
Most films will require some amount of a thing known as "suspension of belief" where you tell your mind to not worry about certain concepts not making sense. Personally, if the suspension of belief is such that you have to say "hold on, let me call my physics professor to find out if that can actually be done..." then you're thinking too much and not enjoying yourself, and you just need to sit back and enjoy the ride...
And boy, does this film take you for a ride, a very thrilling one at that... This film is full of non-stop action scenes peppered with little sequences of suspense that keep you thinking. The film has kept a considerable adherence to the original TV series, paying homage to the original van, Hannibal's use of cigars and even B.A. Baracus's fear of flying. We have an alternative storyline that introduces how the A*Team became fugitives, and it works incredibly well. What seems to work just as well is the casting for each of the four members.
Now, a number of people have sledged those who made the movie saying that the casting for Liam Neeson as Hannibal was all wrong... That he wasn't the right fit and all... I hate to mention this but, George Peppard is dead, (may he rest in peace), and Liam is a very charismatic actor; who has been in more movies that have come out recently, than other characters of his caliber. This particular role was not intended to be an incredibly dramatic one, and Liam seemed to take to this character with the original spirit as Peppard did back in the early eighties... The only difference I see between the two versions is that though Neeson's Hannibal is still tactically brilliant and capable of making a plan come together, is not quite as unflappable as his TV counterpart. In fact, due to the betrayal nature of the storyline (concerning the "crime they did not commit"), Hannibal's often shown as intense and angry. But this kind of shake-up is good for a film like this... so I think he was perfect for the role, in my humble opinion.
Next! Bradley Cooper playing the role of Templeton "Faceman" Peck... I have to admit that this was an inspired move on the part of the casting directors... He's comedic, handsome and sophisticated. He seemed to channel the same flirtatious and womanizing nature of Face as his 1980's counterpart, Dirk Benedict. Both versions of the character are as charismatic as one another. Face was always seen as the roguish and debonair character, and Bradley has this in spades. Dirk Benedict actually has a little cameo near the end of the film, so keep watch for it!
Media: DVD.
There has been a lot of controversy regarding this film's performance... Supposedly Roger Ebert, critic extraordinaire was a little "zealous" in his review, citing examples in physics to justify the ludicrousness of the scene with the falling tank... Ebert, in his efforts to do so, however, missed the important part of the film... The film itself.
Most films will require some amount of a thing known as "suspension of belief" where you tell your mind to not worry about certain concepts not making sense. Personally, if the suspension of belief is such that you have to say "hold on, let me call my physics professor to find out if that can actually be done..." then you're thinking too much and not enjoying yourself, and you just need to sit back and enjoy the ride...
And boy, does this film take you for a ride, a very thrilling one at that... This film is full of non-stop action scenes peppered with little sequences of suspense that keep you thinking. The film has kept a considerable adherence to the original TV series, paying homage to the original van, Hannibal's use of cigars and even B.A. Baracus's fear of flying. We have an alternative storyline that introduces how the A*Team became fugitives, and it works incredibly well. What seems to work just as well is the casting for each of the four members.
Now, a number of people have sledged those who made the movie saying that the casting for Liam Neeson as Hannibal was all wrong... That he wasn't the right fit and all... I hate to mention this but, George Peppard is dead, (may he rest in peace), and Liam is a very charismatic actor; who has been in more movies that have come out recently, than other characters of his caliber. This particular role was not intended to be an incredibly dramatic one, and Liam seemed to take to this character with the original spirit as Peppard did back in the early eighties... The only difference I see between the two versions is that though Neeson's Hannibal is still tactically brilliant and capable of making a plan come together, is not quite as unflappable as his TV counterpart. In fact, due to the betrayal nature of the storyline (concerning the "crime they did not commit"), Hannibal's often shown as intense and angry. But this kind of shake-up is good for a film like this... so I think he was perfect for the role, in my humble opinion.
Next! Bradley Cooper playing the role of Templeton "Faceman" Peck... I have to admit that this was an inspired move on the part of the casting directors... He's comedic, handsome and sophisticated. He seemed to channel the same flirtatious and womanizing nature of Face as his 1980's counterpart, Dirk Benedict. Both versions of the character are as charismatic as one another. Face was always seen as the roguish and debonair character, and Bradley has this in spades. Dirk Benedict actually has a little cameo near the end of the film, so keep watch for it!
Next! We have Quinton "Rampage" Jackson as B.A. Baracus... His actual name alone spells trouble! Rampage is an American mixed martial artist and a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. This man is one brother you wouldn't want to mess with... And his use of his skills does not go unnoticed in this film... His mohawk is not as prominent in the film as Mr. T's was in the TV series, and there is a reference to "I pity the fool" with his fists... It works well, but not as well as one would want... this would somehow be the only downside to this film. This does not say that Jackson cannot play the role of Bosco. He can, but this is a Bosco Albert Baracus of the twenty-first century, whereas the B.A. Baracus of yore, Mr. T, is now a born-again Christian and has lately appeared on infomercials for portable self-cleaning ovens...
Lastly, Sharlto Copely as H.M. Murdock... I was a little skeptical at first, only having then seen his performance in District 9, and not really having known him in anything other than this other film. So imagine my surprise when a South African opened his mouth only to have an American accent come through with the gusto of an insane man possessed... Sharlto has swallowed and embodied the essence of Murdock that would do Dwight Schultz (the 80's version of Murdock) proud... Dwight also appears in a cameo role in the end of the film as well, so another bonus for pop-culture enthusiasts such as myself!
The film also boasts the appearances of actors such as Gerald McRaney, for those who remember him in shows like Simon and Simon, and Major Dad; Jessica Biel, who always graces my presence whenever I see her on the big screen, and also Brian Bloom, who plays Pike, who also co-wrote the script for the film. Throw in some amazing special effects and creative distraction techniques to help suck you deep into the world that these people find themselves in and you have an incredible film which is guaranteed to entertain... If you're a voice-actor enthusiast, you may also notice Corey Burton narrating towards the end of the film. Corey is well known for a number of voice roles, including Braniac in the animated DC universe as well as Spike Witwicky and Shockwave from the Transformers cartoon series from the 1980's.
This film shows itself to be entertaining, humorous, intense and gripping its audience from the word go. It is filled with action, thrills and spills... And will keep you guessing what is happening... I thoroughly enjoyed the film and am pleased to award it five stars.
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