Share this Story: Examining Our Past: The A-Team to the satisfaction of audience members
Examining Our Past: The A-Team to the satisfaction of audience members
This article originally ran June 18, 2010.
Reporter/Examiner Staff
Aug 28, 2020 • November 27, 2020 • 3 minute read
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Editor's Note: This article originally ran on June 18, 2010. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are tapping into our archives more, particularly for arts and sports. This special section will return to its regular schedule when the crisis concludes with Alberta reaching Phase 3 of its relaunch.
Danielle Glubish
Examining Our Past: The A-Team to the satisfaction of audience members Back to video
There are some movies that surprise, catch you off guard when you aren't expecting much and end up being unexpectedly entertaining.
Having never seen the TV series The A-Team and knowing next to nothing about the premise, my expectations for the movie version were pretty low on the radar.
I hadn't been waiting months for it to come out or excitedly reading any tidbit of information I could find on it.
Even the trailer didn't manage to lure me in, but that may not have been a bad thing.
Sometimes its those unanticipated films that manage to sneak in and give you the satisfaction you'd been expecting from other films but ended up being sadly disappointed by.
The A-Team was certainly a film I hadn't expected to enjoy at all end ended up finding an amusing and entertaining summer blockbuster, that delivered everything I was waiting for in some of the other so-called 'big names' earlier this summer.
Yes, it's an action flick, but tempered with lots of humour and an engaging, if fast-paced story. The movie doesn't give you time to get comfortable before it propels you headfirst into non-stop action, daring escapes and rescues and one wild ride.
The A-Team consists of four U.S. soldiers named respectively Hannibal, Face, B.A. and Murdock, who at the beginning of the movie become fast friends after meeting in Mexico while on separate missions, and surviving because of all four men's rather outrageous plans.
The four men continue their friendships as the fight overseas in Iraq, where they are known for the successful completion of many extreme death-defying operations. When a new mission is presented, The A-Teambelieve they are up for the challenge and despite many warnings not to become involved, end up taking the job on.
The operation goes horribly wrong, and The A-Team is falsely arrested and charged with murder and dishonourably discharged from service.
Taken to separate prisons, the four soldiers patiently wait until the right moment to break out, join up and prove their innocence.
Once they escape, The A-Teamcomes up with one crazy scheme after another to find the person responsible for framing them, bring them to justice and clear their names in the process.
As enjoyable as the story is, with all its twist, turns, action and humour, it certainly wouldn't be nearly as good if it wasn't for the performance of the actors involved.
With Liam Neeson leading Bradley Cooper, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Sharlto Copley and Jessica Biel, there is a well-rounded cast here.
The chemistry between The A-Team is what really makes this movie a joy to watch.
Their constant humorous banter and the bond between them bring everything that is outrageous in the film into focus.
They are a real treat to see on screen together and give the film much more weight than it would otherwise have had.
The action is extreme but done tastefully enough that despite its impracticality, the audience rarely takes a moment to utter a 'ya right', or is jarred out of the film by something that just seems impossible. You believe, despite its implausible nature, that these four crazy guys could actually pull it off.
Overall The A-Team is a through and through summer blockbuster and should be treated like it if you're heading to see it. There aren't any deep meanings or award-worthy performances, but it's enjoyable from start to finish. It leaves a smile on your face and is both exhilarating and fun to watch.
Just sit back and enjoy.
If you know of any arts news or events happening in the area, email epretzer@postmedia.com.
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