Director Joe Carnahan’s 2010 adaptation of the famous 80 TV series takes us right to the beginning of when the team began. Originally penned by Frank Lupo and Stephen J Cannel, and adapted for the big screen by Carnahan with Brian Bloom and Skip Woods, the film enlightens us on how the A-Team; Colonel Hannibal Smith, Lieutenant Face Peck, Sergeant B.A Baracus and Captain Howling Mad Murdock first met.

Liam Neeson, who plays Smith, takes another step in becoming a bona-fide action hero since reaching cult status in Taken. This time his out to take back his life and right the wrongs that have been done against him and his men. Fighting alongside him are Bradley Cooper as Face, Quinton Jackson as Baracus (aka Mr T) and Sharlo Copley and the mad pilot Murdock.

The onset chemistry between these actors balances out a variety of quirky yet complex characters.

Hannibal is someone who does not subscribe to the theory of randomness. He believes there is an plan in everything. He also has the foresight of seeing a connection is everything – an asset that proves time and time again to be his most valuable. If you’ve seen Neeson in Taken then don’t expect the same kind of ass kicking. It’s a bit more PG here. Then you have Face.

Face is the smooth talking conman, ladies man, cool, calm and collected, he doesn’t fall short of quick comeback or finding humour when there is none. I could say Cooper was bred for this role. His rough trimmed beard features. You’ve probably seen him sporting that beard in other films that create a character almost out of place. However, he fits like a puzzle piece in this one. Not unlike the largest piece of this puzzle, Bad Ass Baracus.

Baracus was played on TV by Mr T and spots an African Mondika hairstyle which is often mistaken as a mawhawk; a mistake also shown in the dinner scene after Hannibal and Face help him breakout. He is played in the film by Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and unlike his comrades; B.A’s approach is more direct when in a confrontation. However, his relationship with Murdock is something to be admired.

South African actor Sharlto Copley takes the role of Murdock and puts his own silly spin to it. Copley played the title role in District 9 and channels some of that energy in the airport terminal scene. I absolutely loved this. As the team sneaks out of the country they are forced to disguise themselves and Baracus and Murdock get the wrongs passports.

Murdock is a rabbi but has a passport that says his mother is from Tanzania while Baracus dresses like an African but with a passport saying he is a rabbi. The mistake leads to a tense moment when the immigration official asks Murdock something in Swahili. The result is a very tense and funny scene with an unexpected ending.

Those looking for blood and guts will not find it this film. The films keeps true to the TV series and maintains that high octane comic action and comedy. This is plan A and there is no plan B