By Odeisel

In a race to lift box office receipts higher with as little risk as possible, Hollywood has increasingly turned to retread ideas that have a preexisting resonance with audiences. Most of the recent blockbusters have been comic book related, with characters that have decades of established history. Other sources include shows from the 1980s, the last bastion of pop culture originality.  In that vein, we will soon be treated to a remake of 80’s phenomenon, The A-Team.

 The original NBC series was set in the post Vietnam era with a crew of commandoes that escaped Army imprisonment following court marshal for a crime they didn’t commit.  The awesome foursome of soldiers were employed as mercenaries for hire, albeit on the side of good, who managed to save the day with gratuitous yet never deadly violence and barely escape recapture…every week.

When news came of the film’s release, we wondered who would take the role of B. A. Baracus, the spot that took Mr.T from bodyguard to superstar.  Pop culture icon, T was full of classic catchphrases like “I pity the fool!” and “I ain’t getting on no plane, Hannibal” that still echo in our heads today and covered lunchboxes and t-shirts, dolls, and other oxymoronic disposable collectibles.  While it will be difficult to match Mr. T’s charisma, the role of B.A. will certainly have enough toughness with the selection of MMA star Rampage Jackson, who has the ass whuppin’ pedigree and for the film, the mohawk (minus the gold chains…*sigh), and the physicality to pull it off visually.

Howling Mad Murdock, the team’ pilot was played to the hilt with a subtle, controlled mania by Dwight Schultz. Schultz was just annoying enough to  bother B.A. without forcing him a beat down, and he proved the ace in the hole with his King Learian Fool’s role more than once. In Schultz’ stead stands District 9’s Sharlto Copley.  I don’t know much about him comically, but he’s got some solid shoes to fill.

Pretty boy conman Templeton “Faceman” Peck managed to find time for the ladies in between conning the team into weapons and vehicles and assorted necessities. Dirk Benedict added  a mixture of used car salesman game with smiling scoundrel appeal, a tough line to walk without overt campiness. More often than not, Benedict delivered. His role is reprised by The Hangover’s Bradley Cooper.  While he is a bit more brusque and mannish than Benedict, he does seem to have the comedic timing and lovability down based on previous roles.

The leader of the pack, Hannibal Smith was played with aplomb by the late great George Peppard. The cigar smoking Hannibal was outgoing and deceptively cerebral, always planning with a smile on his face and a cigar in tow. He was the kind of guy who could make you feel good about running into a war where you could be killed…or getting on a plane when you’re afraid to fly.  This role is curiously drafted by Liam Neesen.  While he’s a fine actor, he’s not even American, and certainly doesn’t have the rugged cowboy charm of Peppard.  He can do cold and calculating, certainly, but his traditional acting tenor is certainly a departure from Hannibal’s historic characterization. Just hearing him say “I love it when a plan comes together!” with his accent makes me cringe.

For the movie, the Vietnam era is replaced by the Iraq war, and there are a lot more high wire stunts in this one.  I fear that it may go the way of the Miami Vice movie but hey, maybe we’ll get lucky.  Here’s the trailer for your enjoyment. Peace

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