The A-team (2010)

	Also Known As: -
	Year of first release: 2010
	Director: Joe Carnahan (Smokin' Aces, The Grey)
	Actors: Liam Neeson (Star Wars 1, Batman Begins), Bradley Cooper (The Hangover 1-3), Jessica Biel (Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Secret), Sharlto Copley (District 9, Europa Report), Patrick Wilson (Watchmen), Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson
	Country: USA
	Genre: Action, Comedy
	Conditions of visioning: 06.08.2013, Blu-ray, Home cinema
Synopsis: Hannibal Smith (Neeson) and his A-team are extremely efficient at completing successfully their missions. At the end of the war in Irak, they are set up and sent to jail. Six months later they will get a chance to clear their names.
Review: I grew up watching the adventures of "L'agence tous risques" on French television, and some years ago I watched the first two seasons in DVD. The story of the episodes are often similar and inspired by The Seven Samourai (the A-team agrees to save a poor village from dangerous mercenaries for a ridiculous price) but there is some variety that makes the series pleasant to watch. My favorite part was when the team assembles stuff, usually an armored car, MacGyver-style. The movie actually relates the first encounter of the team members and the events that led to them being outlaws, fugitives and wanted by the Army. I was a bit disappointed when I watched it the first time in 2010 just after the series, but now on second viewing it looks better. This time I have been watching the extended version which lasts 133 minutes and in which there is more of Murdock's craziness, and a cameo by the original Face (Dirk Benedict). There are four big 20-minutes action sequences in the movie separated by some plotting and planning and character development. I liked this approach, better for me than the recent trend of keeping you on your toes for two hours. The action scenes are overdone of course, but that's part of a good plan. I like when crazy Murdock says he can fly anything, and 30 minutes later you find him steering a flying tank that is hanging from a parachute! In spite of all the action, the movie is nicely edited, you always know what is going on, and the digital effects are perfect. I especially see the difference after watching Hancock.
Rating: 7 /10