The A-Team (2010)

First, a confession. I don't think I have ever watched an entire episode of the A-Team, it just wasn't something I ever had contact with. Maybe it was a bit before my time, or more of an American phenomenon, but I was able to bring very little prior knowledge (outside of the obvious catchphrases and theme tune) into the recent film. Looking back this probably worked out well, as I have no prior connection to these characters, and whilst the TV show was hardly revered in terms of quality it was still a property it was clear that many people feel strongly about.
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Joe Carnahan was the man tasked with the job, and I think he pulled it off. There have been many recent attempts at big budget, silly action films in recent years (the Losers is the most obvious example) that have failed to really strike the right tone and stretch their ideas over a whole film. Here it seems, thanks to the excellent cast and some wonderfully conceived action sequences the whole thing comes together and, for the most part, just works.
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The plot, as it is, begins with the formation of the titular Team and then skips ahead to when they have become a successful part of the military, taking on the missions others won't touch. However during one key assignment, they are framed for murder and robbery and forced to scatter. Naturally the team reforms and sets about dishing out some justice and clearing their names. With an ensemble cast such as this is is important for each member to shine, and for the group dynamics to play just right. Here is where the film gets it right, Liam Neeson has had a bit of a late career bloom as an action star and he captures the intelligence and swagger of Hannibal just right. Sharlto Copley, fresh from the success of District 9 is all over the shop (in a good way) as Murdoch, convincing as a man living right on the edge of his sanity. Bradley Cooper takes all the charisma he's been building from film to film to Face and, in possibly the most iconic role, former wrestler Quinton Jackson steps up to the plate admirably as BA. The four (and Jessica Biel playing Face's ex and their contact within the military) play off each other well, the unit feels like one that has been together for a while and the whole cast balance the humour and the action well, never tipping it into pure silliness, but not taking the film, or themselves too seriously either.
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The usual action film beats are all present and correct but executed with real flair. The film starts ridiculously and only gets bigger and crazier from there. For this you are either along for the ride, or out. Personally this can be hit or miss for me, but here it works well. The CGI is fairly decent and never too distracting and Carnahan has a knack for staging sequences in a way that is easy to follow but exciting and entertaining as well.
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It's a shame then that the films climax disappoints slightly, it builds well and has some nice ideas but it's always difficult to try and top what has come before, and provide a satisfying conclusion to the story. Similarly the familiar nature of the story plays against the film at times as certain twists in the story are signposted early. Ultimately this isn't a film of much lasting value, but at the same time when compared to a lot of the recent crop of similar blockbuster fare the A-Team can stand proud as one of the most genuinely entertaining and enjoyable in recent memory.