The A-Team

The ultimate rattle that catches the momentum and doesn't let go until the end. Carnahan, under the production whip of the Scott brothers, throws in one "over the top" scene after another, but in the action inferno, he still manages to shoot deadly catchphrases at you with incredible cadence. The central quartet plays the most searing instrumental in years, and the result is a pure 1980s flick that the twenty-first-century coat fits like a glove. Sure, it's blatant none-sense, but I was still vibrating from it the next day. I'll forgive the digital silliness at the end and I’m giving it full stars. I don't think the film will get less stars from me upon a second viewing. Edit: Indeed, it did not. Even for the second (third, fourth,...) time, this is one of the most entertaining action movies in recent years. (06/19/2010)

It's very action-packed, occasionally funny, but mostly sterile and not very entertaining. Liam Neeson tries his best and some moves remind us of his famous Taken, but unfortunately, this is somewhat different. If A-Team is supposed to be a parody of big-budget action movies, then okay, it's survivable. Some action scenes are picture-perfect, but the film lacks better and more grandiose directing for a blockbuster. And maybe better actors too. Besides the famous Brit and Jessica Biel, nobody really impressed me. (10/17/2010)

From the first to the last minute, it's ruggedly honest, exhilaratingly blockbuster-like, and unfortunately also bite-sized in terms of the script. However, as a whole, The A-Team surprisingly holds together despite the patched-together individual missions, problems, and locations. Some things are so exaggerated that even the most understanding smile fades (the tank), while at other times the film goes full throttle, taking your breath away (the imaginative chemistry in the photobooth, rappelling from a skyscraper, or every scene with Bradley Cooper, who effortlessly steals the whole film without so much as breaking a sweat). I wasn't on board with this return to the past at all, but now I am all that much more satisfied. (07/30/2010)

The phrase "much ado about nothing" can hardly be more fitting than here. I would still be willing to forgive The A-Team for not coming up with a proper and original story, but I won't forgive the fact that all the expected and praised action seemed dull and overstuffed clutter with zero build-up and a desperate lack of catchphrases and insight. The 3 stars are more or less because I really like Neeson and Cooper and because, despite the bland result, the A-Team at least made a good effort to pay homage to and build on the classic action films that were taken for granted in Hollywood twenty years ago...))) I recently read that if Chuck Norris eats a whole box of sleeping pills, it will show up in one blink..., I watched the supposedly most stylish and over-the-top action movie of recent years, and by the end I was sleeping like a baby... 55% (10/12/2012)

I sniff nostalgically. I grew up on it and Carnahan et comp. were able to modernize it very solidly without creating digital none-sense for young people. On the contrary, it may in fact be too nostalgic and laughs at the current mass conceptualization of blockbusters. I had a great time, if it wasn't for a few "over the line" attempts at making it more serious, it would be an almost perfect relaxing snort of amusement. Hats off to the wonderful chemistry in the central quartet and also to Carnahan, who managed to direct the action scenes with the sophistication of a gambler. Definitely the best blockbuster of the cucumber season; I'm just sorry that it won't continue... (06/14/2010)