Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence throughout, language and smoking.
117 Minutes
Directed By: Joe Carnahan
Written By: Joe Carnahan and Brian Bloom
Staring: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Jessica Biel, Sharlto Copley, Patrick Wilson, and Gerald McRaney
They are the best, and they specialize in the ridiculous. -Sosa
Review
After reading my fellow brethren and their duo review and many other friends in the movie world, there was an overwhelming sense that I wasn’t going to be let down when I went to the theater this morning. I wasn’t. Considering it’s nature it may sound peculiar to say it, but The A-Team was refreshing. It was everything I wanted in a summer blockbuster and everything that I’ve been waiting patiently for. AND…..they try and fly a TANK. Yep, I said fly.
At this point it’s fair to say that this flick isn’t living in the world of reality and at no point do you desire it to either. From one action sequence to another, constant entertainment is being thrown your way. When you are watching an explosion, you are laughing at the characters, which were done so well, and it still alludes me where there was really time to develop them, but it happened. By the end you have a real feel for each of the guys, and you certainly have felt the extremely tangible chemistry between them.
Kind of like Ridley Scott’s twist on Robin Hood, this whole film essentially takes place at the birth of the team shows how the guys came together, how they became outlaws, and even how B.A. got his trademark Mohawk. Taking this walk down nostalgia road is full of nonstop action, a simplistic yet complicated enough plot about espionage and otherwise, and even brings the eye candy of Jessica Biel to the table.
To my surprise the most enjoyable performance was that of Brad Cooper, whom I’ve never be a huge fan. He was studly, charming, and utterly hilarious. Sharlto Copley as Murdoch added this bizarre sense that anything impossible happened was actually possible because he was that insanely coherent. Rampage was a natural player as B.A., and didn’t stretch the acting he already brings to the UFC. Liam Neeson was perfectly cast as the glue that held the team together, a thoughtful yet believably intimidating leader.
Are you going to get a serious, character driven movie with elements of realism? Heck no! You are given the fantastical and when you think the film has exceeded the limits of extremism, it just pushes the envelope that much further. The A-Team is about letting go and having a riot. It does all the work for you and lets you sit back; a true escapist action flick that rarely gets made anymore. I’m okay if they don’t make a sequel, but I’ll be there opening weekend if they do.
I wasn’t expecting this one to be so good and I wasn’t even going to check it out but everyone kept saying how much fun it was. Really glad I checked it out though. I just watched Knight and Day yesterday and I think I may have enjoyed that one just as much. It’s the same ridiculous over the top kind of action flick. I wonder if there’s anymore outrageous action heading our way this summer?
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Hopefully The Expendables will be The Creme de la Creme of that!!!!!!!
Heather recently posted..The A-Team Belated 2010
Man, I totally forgot about that! Even my girlfriend is looking forward to that one. I just wish we could see Arnold blowing stuff up again.
The Film Reel recently posted..Knight And Day – Film Reel Review
Me too, but alas he’s busy being the “Governator”
Heather recently posted..The A-Team Belated 2010
Does Arnold blow stuff up in Expendables? The trailer looks like he’s some sort of suit — like, maybe he used to blow things up, but now he’s settled into a life of diplomacy and groping.
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I’m looking forward to seeing Knight & Day, it’s a pity it did so poorly and sight unseen I’m sure its’ better than that Karate Kid remake.
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Doesn’t it work that if he’s the governor then he can only portray himself in film? I thought that I had heard that somewhere and that he’ll be playing the governor of California in this one as a cameo or something.
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That makes sense.
Maybe he shows up as like the dood that gives the Expendables their medals at the end of the day after evil has been thwarted.
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Looks like a REALLY Testosteronated flick too. Been too long since we’ve had doods who don’t care about blowing things up to get the mission finished.
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It was just such a RELIEF!!!!!!!!!!! It was so relaxed and fun!
I think it was the cast and their comradary that sold a lot of this movie. However, I still had a plethora of issues with the film that detracted from the experience. However, it was pretty much everything people would want out of a summer movie.
I know a lot of people were concerned that the action sequences were too overwhelming and disjointed, but I found them to be pretty engaging especially considering their context.
They were fun, but I found the excessive CGI and shaky camerework to take away from a lot of the action.
If nothing else, they were memorable and well mapped out, especially the big planning sequence.
James Ewing recently posted..Little Miss Sunshine 2006
I would call it The Hangover of action movies.
Fitz recently posted..
hmmm Jessica Biel vs Heather Graham? One stomped the hell out of a man with a roller skate, the other escaped Leatherface……..
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Oooooh, and Jessica Biel.
yes Jessica Biel is definitely a good thing so long as she wears a tank top and does lots of action sequences
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She didn’t really do anything for me in this film. Then again, she wasn’t given much to do.
James Ewing recently posted..Little Miss Sunshine 2006
Yikes, that means I probably won’t like it. Why do I hate The Hangover? Why do I want to slap Bradley Cooper? Unanswered questions…
Encore Entertainment recently posted..TV Meme- Day 28- First TV Show Obsession
No, you might like it Andrew. I didn’t love the Hangover and I LOVED this, and I’m really not a Bradley Cooper fan either, but he was the best part of the movie, which is bizarre.
Glad I’m not the only one not crazy about Bradley Cooper, he’s just oh, too pretty. And he’s got that Matthew McCougnahey syndrome thing going on which I loathe.
I dig the movie though, and my review is in agreement with yours. It was bombastic fun, a cool way to spend an afternoon.
“…flick isn’t living in the world of reality and at no point do you desire it to either” Exactly!!
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FRC Ruben recently posted..Gossip- Toe Thumbs Marries BAG
YES. That’s it. Matthew McCougheny (hate him so much, don’t care about the spelling).
Encore Entertainment recently posted..TV Meme- Day 28- First TV Show Obsession
But he’s such a dam nice guy. I et he’d pick up the tab at dinner and at the bar afterwards.
FRC Ruben recently posted..Local Locales- Vertigo
like Keanu
FRC Ruben recently posted..A Scanner Darkly
About time you saw this! Now what about Toy Story 3?
I’m ready for a trio if you and Jim are!
I definitely am looking forward to what you three think of Toy Story.
The movie was batshit crazy. I didn’t think it was fantastic. I did enjoy it. Flying a tank. Holy shit.
Branden recently posted..Knight and Day 2010
This whole casting is perfect. I can’t wait to see this film. I’ma have to wait for DVD unfortunately.
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