The A-Team

I’m giving the fifth star because I blissfully roared with laughter the whole movie. A superb cast, top-notch action and mainly hundreds of cool lines backfilling the viewer with the cadence of a machine gun throughout the whole movie. Liam Neeson gained my definite status of total boss who is obviously enjoying the role of Hannibal like nothing he’s played in a long time. Sharlto Copley’s Murdock is the glue of the whole gang and his escapades made me smile with amazing regularity. Rampage is a worthy replacement for Mr. T and Cooper is fine too. Patrick Wilson is a pleasant surprise and Jessica Biel didn’t represent a disturbing element as some seem to be implying, I would even say that this was one of her best ever performances and she looks pretty damn good too. And the cameos are just delightful, even Jon Hamm’s. ;) There's a plan in everything, kid and I love it when a plan comes together. (06/22/2010)

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)

To my great surprise, this is a good and hugely entertaining action ride. The trailers where underwhelming, but these four cool guys ended up winning me over. The action scenes are so over the top that it’s impossible not to smile. The climax on the other hand, maybe is a bit too over the top, there were moments when I didn’t know what was going on and why, so the impression went a bit down, but I still think it’s an 80% film. (07/18/2010)

From the first to the last minute, it's ruggedly honest, exhilaratingly blockbuster-like, and unfortunately also scriptwise bite-sized. However, as a whole, A-Team surprisingly holds together despite the patched-together individual missions, problems, and locations. Some things are so exaggerated that even the least perceptive smile feels ashamed (tank), while other times it goes full throttle, taking your breath away (imaginative chemistry in the photobooth, rappelling from a skyscraper, or every scene with Bradley Cooper, who effortlessly steals the whole film and doesn't even break a sweat). I didn't believe in this return to the past at all, but now I can be even more satisfied. (07/30/2010)

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)