Movie Preview: A-Team

I had many reservations on how this film, based on the 80's television show, would turn out.

"Will the A-Team movie be worth watching? If Ridley Scott were directing I’d say yes in a heartbeat. With Carnahan I think not. His tendency to pick popular and low quality actors does not inspire confidence. Plus this is a remake (likely a revisioning) which bodes badly. And it involves a subject that Hollywood can’t get right these days, soldiers. With a writer that is 50/50 at best."

Well the first indications are now getting out.



Ok no that isn't it, but I thought it was funny. And at least as good as the actual movie trailer. Ok, for the serious look at the movie trailer



So my fear of the weakest link being the BA Baraccus character seems to be correct. Also the obvious link to the Iraq war is firmly in place. Beyond that many of the old standbys of the television series have been kept. Well at least a couple of the catch-phrases of the leading characters.

What is new are some of the gadgets that are used. C-130 planes, tanks, high-end weapons and such really make it seem unrealistic that this group of men could operate in a post-9/11 Homeland Security America. And who are they using these weapons against?

Believability is also seemingly out the window. Surviving a rocket attack in a C-130 by being in a tank that cleanly escapes the mid-air wreckage and deploys it's parachute, then popping out and shooting down a plane with an M-60 is beyond the pale. Thus we can conclude the film is solidly focused on explosions, with the characters the means by which we can get from one to another.

Given that the A-Team television show was not Shakesperian writing, it did have a bit more credibility and slightly tighter plotting. Plus the acting abilities of the stars were far more solid and recognized. Even Mr. T (then) was far more accomplished than Quinton Jackson - an obvious ploy to draw sports fans that have moderate expectations beyond watching things go boom or crunch.

But, if your expectations are very low and you have never seen the original A-Team and you prefer a movie with more explosions than spoken words, this will be a fine film. If you are merely looking to waste roughly 90 minutes of your life and at least $9 of your hard earned cash, this is your film.

For the rest of us, that might want just a bit more from a movie - like entertainment - I would suggest this film on DVD (bargain bin) or wait for cable. You won't be missing much.