Wonderful News!
by Tommy
The A-Team is getting a silver-screen adaption. One of my favourite childhood TV shows is getting its debut in cinemas everywhere.
The television show, which debuted in 1983, followed a group of Robin Hood-style mercenaries who travelled America helping people in need, usually people in a business in danger of being seriously harmed (never killed, as this was a show aired before the watershed) by rival businesses, and losing their business.
Despite being imprisoned for a crime supposedly committed in Vietnam, the men ‘promptly’ (love it!) escaped prison to the Los Angeles Underground, and from there began helping others in return for a fee. I remember in one episode it being $90,000, and that was about the norm. Pretty hefty.
The show was pretty formulaic. No, it was very formulaic. In a show lasting an hour, even the quarters were mapped out, the first 15 minutes gave the premise – people in need of help and the A-Team showing up, usually after breaking “Howling Mad” Murdock out from the mental institute. The second 15 minutes showed the first run-in the team had with the baddies. The third 15 minutes showed them hatching a plan to save the day, which usually involved building some big machine and B.A using a blow-torch. Finally, the finishing quarter was defeating the baddies, complete with slow-motion shots of the goons being thrown into a dumpster. After that, the US Army would show up, having been tipped off by someone or other, and the A-Team would escape by the skin of their teeth, after receiving their not-altogether-very-nominal fee.
The show’s characters became the subject of cult followings:
Col. John “Hannibal” Smith (played by the late George Peppard), who was the leader of the group, becoming known in popular culture for his cigars, unorthodox but effective plans and his catchphrase “I love it when a plan comes together” (a phrase which Dad still uses sometimes).
Sgt. B. A. Baracus (played by Mr. T, a role which springboarded his career), the grease-monkey of the team, responsible for driving and mechanics. If you open the dictionary and look up ‘badass’, there’s a picture of him. Known for his jewelry, bad attitude and mohawk.
Lt. Templeton “Faceman” Peck (played by Dirk Benedict), was the smooth-talker of the group, responsible for conning people out of the materials or objects needed by the gang, which ranged from wings or clothes to helicopters or tractor engines. Known for being the smooth-talking womanizer and a sneaky bugger to boot.
Finally, Capt. H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock (played by Dwight Schultz) was the pilot of the group, and the one who was certified insane. Many a time, the premise of the show involved breaking HM out of the mental home where he voluntarily committed himself. Known for his inane ramblings, his imaginary friend Timmy, and not getting on with BA because of his wackyness. Is responsible for my undying love of black converse.
The film has a release date of June 11th (one day after my birthday!). It will star Liam Neeson (one of my favourite actors ever!) as Hannibal, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson as BA, Bradley Cooper as Face and Sharlto Copley as Howling Mad Murdock.
Photo credit: www.slashfilm.com/. From right to left, Cooper as Face, Jackson as BA, Copley as Murdock and Neeson as Hannibal
Alan Silvestri will compose the film score, Joe Carnahan directs while according to writer Michael Brandt, the adaptation will be more in vein of Die Hard, The Bourne Identity, and Casino Royale. Original stars Dwight Schultz and Dirk Benedict have confirmed a cameo, while Mr. T admitted in an interview that he’d turned one down.
*buckles seatbelt* This is looking goooooooooooood! :D
And yes, the film is in 3D. :)