The A-Team

There was this TV show once, called The A-Team, that was on in the 1980’s. I’m not gonna talk about that here; instead, I think I shall talk about the film of the 80’s action show.

The film’s heroes are, obviously enough, The A-Team. They consist of Hannibal (Liam Neeson), Faceman (Bradley Cooper), B.A. Barracus (Quinton “Rampage” Jackson) and “Howling Mad” Murdock (Sharlto Copley). The four are a military unit who, during the Iraq War, are called upon to thwart a counterfeiting scheme in Bagdhad. But some higher-ups don’t want them to do it; yet, they do it anyway.

When their commanding officer, the only proof they weren’t going AWOL on this mission, is blown to bits, our heroes are sent to their own prisons. But Hannibal has a plan for revenge, and that involves busting himself and the others out.

As Hannibal says, “I love it when a plan comes together.” Unfortunately, this film doesn’t really come together as it should. The plot, which involves a Blackwater analogue pulling the strings, is lost in the explosions and gunfire. By the time the truth is revealed, the reaction is more “huh?” then “whoa!”

Perhaps the one star who saves this is Sharlto Copley. As Murdock, he’s perfectly loopy and insane. He gets the best scenes and the best lines; so much so that he outshines the others.

If it weren’t for Copley, I’d say you can probably forget about this one. However, Copley makes this movie worth it. Now, if only the rest of the film came together well.