THE A-TEAM: A Film Not Just for Fans of the Cult 1980s Series

Explosion after explosion, shootouts, chases—all presented with insanely fast-paced editing and enriched by brief yet witty and entertaining one-liners delivered by likable protagonists. Meanwhile, the dialogue scenes, which seem to merely fill time between action sequences, and a script that “exists but barely,” all point to a typical profit-driven blockbuster, the kind that often floods theaters during the summer. This time, however, we’re dealing with a remake—an increasingly common phenomenon in recent years. What’s more, the creators dared to remake The A-Team, a TV series that dominated the 1980s, breaking popularity records and becoming a cult classic for many viewers (myself included).

The A-Team is a quartet of former Vietnam War heroes, hunted by the law for crimes they didn’t commit, solving various criminal cases along the way. The team is made up of four distinct characters: Colonel Hannibal Smith, the mastermind behind every operation; Lieutenant Templeton “Face” Peck, the charming ladies’ man who never misses an opportunity for romance; Captain H.M. Murdock, a genius pilot and total lunatic; and Sergeant Bosco “B.A.” Baracus, a gold-chain-adorned powerhouse with a signature mohawk and undeniable strength. Now, the A-Team is back to take over the big screen and revive memories of these iconic heroes, whom some may have forgotten.

Not only is this a remake, but it could also be titled The A-Team: Origins, as it showcases how the main characters, through a chaotic and unpredictable mission on the Mexican border, form a perfectly complementary team. Together, they achieve numerous successes, but during a mission to recover highly valuable printing plates, they are framed. Demoted and sent to prison, they later return with a thirst for revenge. While the names and personalities remain familiar, the movie significantly diverges from the original series, relocating the action to a more contemporary setting. The characters now fight in Iraq, use the latest technology, and even the villain quips that an explosion looks like something out of Call of Duty.

The script isn’t particularly impressive; the plot is far from original and serves primarily as a pretext for showcasing explosions and the A-Team’s unconventional antics. Yet, in this type of film, the story takes a back seat to the pure entertainment value of the experience. Opinions about the movie have been quite divided, but for me, it was genuinely enjoyable. There’s plenty of action and humor, but what stood out most was how the actors brought these beloved characters to life.

Liam Neeson takes on the role of Hannibal Smith—a casting choice I initially doubted, but he delivers an excellent performance. His tough demeanor, confident smile, and trademark cigar make his Hannibal a true leader, one whose audacious plans the team follows without question. Bradley Cooper plays Face, essentially reprising his charismatic and charming persona from The Hangover. Cooper’s natural charm and charisma make him instantly likable.

Sharlto Copley, known previously only for his standout performance in District 9 (a film with four Oscar nominations), plays Murdock, and he steals the show. Calling his character crazy would be an understatement—his antics are so absurd that the audience frequently bursts into laughter. Despite his eccentricity, he’s an absolute master pilot. Lastly, there’s Quinton “Rampage” Jackson as B.A. Baracus, a role once iconic thanks to Mr. T. Jackson, a professional MMA fighter, received the harshest criticism from fans. In my opinion, his performance is average, but his portrayal suffers from poor writing. Jackson’s character is given too many weak lines, he’s constantly shown panicking in flying machines, and there’s an unnecessary subplot about him renouncing violence after a spiritual awakening. Thankfully, he redeems himself in the finale with a satisfying neck-breaking scene, ensuring fans won’t need to worry about his character in a potential sequel. Importantly, the chemistry between the actors is palpable, making their on-screen camaraderie convincing and engaging. The movie also features Jessica Biel, whose role is largely decorative, and Patrick Wilson, whose villainous character occasionally dips into laughable territory, causing some irritation.

From a technical perspective, the film doesn’t impress. The special effects, while flashy (overly so in the finale), come across as somewhat artificial. The action scenes, captured by cinematographer Mauro Fiore, are visually appealing and have excellent sound design, but the overly chaotic, hyper-dynamic editing detracts from the experience. Alan Silvestri’s music complements the film well, blending a reimagined version of the iconic TV theme with dramatic, epic tracks that surprisingly work in this context.

The A-Team is pure, unpretentious cinematic entertainment. It offers two hours of enjoyable viewing, where everyone can find something to appreciate—be it solid acting, bombastic action scenes, good humor, or simply the beauty of Jessica Biel. I recommend it for a summer movie night, and not just to fans of the original series.