BA honours

BLASTING back from the past, BA Baracus and pals take cinemas by storm this weekend in a remake of The A-Team.

The film has high-octane car chases, explosions and fight scenes galore and updates the Eighties TV saga of four wrongly convicted war veterans battling baddies for justice.

We sent a fan of the original series, and a 12-year-old who'd never heard of it, to see the movie and give their verdicts.

Can the motley vigilante outlaws win over modern audiences? Or are they as outdated as Mr T's mohawk?

Here our two amateur critics tell DAVID LOWE what they thought.

'I wouldn't miss it for the world'
- Robert Priest, 33

HOT-dog salesman and devoted A-team fan Robert, of Slough, Berks, says:

WHEN The A-Team opened at the cinema this week, I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

As a kid, my Saturday afternoons were spent glued to the TV watching BA Baracus, Murdock, Hannibal and Face take on criminals - and win. It was perfect family-friendly viewing.

There was nothing offensive and the bad guys got what they deserved.

I videotaped nearly every episode to watch again and again. I also had A-Team pyjamas and figures, which provided me and my mates with hours and hours of fun.

For that reason there's a huge amount of nostalgia attached to the A-Team, and the cinema audience was mostly made up of blokes around my age.

During the opening credits the music is the same as the TV show and, boy, did it feel good to be back with the A-Team.

The action is non-stop. If you're into fights, bullets, bombs and stunts you won't be disappointed.

As a boy, my favourite was BA. He was the coolest, most extrovert member of the gang. But the film goes back to how the four got together and BA (played by Quinton Jackson) is more reserved. I suppose it shows he hasn't developed his butt-kicking persona yet.

I felt Sharlto Copley as Murdock raised some of the biggest laughs, like when he tries to start the A-Team van using defibrillators from a hospital.

My biggest reservation was Liam Neeson as Hannibal. George Peppard played the TV role so relaxed and easy, but here he's stressed and edgy.

I'd give the film eight out of ten. It's great but the original is the perfect ten.

'We were on the edge of our seats'
- Robbie Escrader, 12

SCHOOLBOY Robbie, of South Norwood, South London, says:

I HAD no idea who The A-Team were until I watched the film.

I've seen the original BA Baracus in the Snickers ad.

I thought he was funny but I didn't know why he was so popular.

The storyline of The A-Team was good because it explained how the group got to know each other and why they were fighting for justice.

Action and comedy films are my favourites so it suited me down to the ground.

The audience was mostly boys. I don't think it's a girls' film because there were loads of tense moments, big fights and amazing special effects.

I could see everyone around the cinema gripping the edge of their seats.

Some of the bangs were so loud I wanted to cover my ears but it all added to the brilliant atmosphere.

Out of all the characters, I liked Murdock best. He was the craziest and was always shown larking around.

When the others tricked BA Baracus into getting on a plane, it made me laugh.

He has a fear of flying so it was the only way to get him on board. His reaction was hilarious - although I'm glad I didn't have to deal with that temper.

At the end of the movie it says if you need help from The A-Team you can give them a call.

I think that means there could be a sequel on the way. I would definitely watch it.

Meanwhile I hope I can track down the DVD of the TV series.

I can see why it became so popular and I would give the movie version nine out of ten.