Fox Home Video
MSRP: $39.99
Release date: December 14, 2010
Starring: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Sharlto Copley
Written by Joe Carnahan, Brian Bloom, and Skip Woods
Directed by Joe Carnahan
Rated: PG-13

Given that A-Team movie projects had been in development hell for almost ten years with eleven different writers attached, it’s remarkable one was made, and well made. Hannibal, Face, B.A., and Murdock are cast as modern-day Army Rangers who cross paths in Mexico and go on to become one of the most successful covert units in the Middle East. After being framed for a crime they didn’t commit, they escape from separate prison facilities, and set out to clear their names.

Though it underperformed at the box office this past summer, Joe Carnahan’s update did not disappoint this fan of the classic TV series. Like J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot, it paid homage while deviating from the canon enough to keep viewers guessing. The Blu-ray features a nice complement of extras, most notably an exclusive interactive commentary by Carnahan and an extended cut with thirty minutes of additional footage.

I heartily recommend this Blu-ray to any A-Team fan. Carnahan has said home video sales performance will determine whether a sequel is made.

Additional content: “Plan of Attack” behind-the-scenes featurette, five shorter “Character Chronicles” featurettes with the lead actors and supporting players, deleted scenes, gag reel, montage, and digital copy.

–Gerald So