The A Team - Volume 1 [DVD]

 

 

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The A-Team is so 1980’s that it’s rather funny to find it available on DVD. And yet this supposedly dated action series puts to shame much of the ‘good bad TV’ we’re told to enjoy these days (and I’m saying this as a 20 year old who was in nappies when the A-Team first hit our screens). The predictable plots, cartoon violence, winning theme tune and memorable catchphrases alone ensure its place in history. But what makes this program truly great are our eponymous heroes. We have John ‘Hannibal’ Smith chomping on cigars as long as his face, a cheesy grin plastered across his face. Templeton ‘Face’ Peck attracting the ladies with his rubbish chat up lines and poster boy coiffure. HM ‘Howlin’ Mad’ Murdock with his loveable eccentricities. And, of course, B.A. ‘Bad Attitude’ Baracus with reams of gold around his neck and a ‘sucker’ or ‘foo’ never far from his lips. They’re the perfect quartet.
Does this DVD capture similar perfection with its selection of episodes? Well…yes. It kicks off with arguably the best on the disc, ‘The Taxicab Wars’. It uses a standard A-Team plot, big business heavies attempting to muscle out the little guy, to great effect. Namely, because it’s a taxi firm they’re dealing with, there is the perfect excuse for car chases galore. B.A. and Murdock in particular shine in their roles as cab drivers, and their banter over Murdock’s sock puppet is a joy to behold. Face takes an adolescent approach to attracting the Lone Star Taxi companies’ resident female and Hannibal pulls off unconvincing disguise no.23 with aplomb.
‘The Maltese Cow’ is probably the weakest episode here – but it’s still fantastic! Again, it’s to the rescue of a downtrodden type, this time the owner of a Chinatown restaurant, who is being bullied by a gangster-style protection racket. The title refers to Dashiell Hammett’s classic novel, whilst Murdock impersonates Raymond Chandler’s famous creation, Philip Marlowe, throughout. It may seem rather audacious for this B-TV series to be associating itself with hard-boiled American Crime Fiction! But some entertaining chopsocky and a (literally) firework climax (discounting the mandatory B.A. vs. Hannibal bit) are what’s REALLY important. Plus Hannibal utters his immortal catchphrase in a highly original manner.
‘Chopping Spree’ is a surefire crowd pleaser, because it sees B.A.’s beloved van get stolen, making him a ‘very angry individual’ as the blurb puts it. As he’s vaguely bothered on a permanent basis, it’s rather obvious much fun is to be had for the viewer! Not even the irksome Tawina Baker (token female A-Team member, who replaced the far superior Amy Allen) can detract from our enjoyment of the hysterically ridiculous plot (cars stolen so they can be chopped up, hence the title) and the performances of the four leads – particularly that of B.A.!
Yes it’s right wing, yes the writers clearly follow the same template each episode and yes the characters are one-dimensional. But who cares! This is pure, thrilling, undemanding entertainment. Get this and see why the A-Team is so fondly remembered.

I brought this DVD thinking "I hope its not bad" I was amazed at how good it is. The DVD is presented excellently and the episodes are of the highest quality. Watching the A team in DVD quality is a bit strange at first (I used to watch it on a portable TV!) Verdict : Totally excellent if you watched the A Team when u were young u will still love it!

PS: Murdoc is very very funny

I hope the makers bring out more DVDs like this.

I grew up with The A Team and was so excited when I heard they were to start releasing them on DVD. Hannibal, B.A Baracas, Face, Murdock and Amy (I still have a crush on her) all appear, get locked in a barn and come out in a fully equiped APV only to blow cars up and defeat bad guys with nothing more than a head ache and the odd scratch here and there.

Good clean fun, can't wait until my other childhood favourites 'The Fall Guy' and 'Mysterious Cities of Gold' appear on the shiny digital format.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Childhood Revisited!
This DVD brought back all the childhood excitement of Saturday's evenings when the A Team came on! We were amused at how much of the opening title speech we remembered! Read more

Published on 3 Mar 2004 by S. McGowan

5.0 out of 5 stars The A Team should cost you $10,000
Brilliant. Liek bringing Saturday afternoon back to your front room!

Published on 13 Nov 2003

4.0 out of 5 stars It really is good. fool.
I watched this at a friends house, we were having a small party and we ended up watching this. At first I thought it was just for a laugh and it wouldn't be that good, in the same... Read more

Published on 25 Sep 2001 by E Parry

5.0 out of 5 stars this is the best ever
the clever fools have now started bringing out a team on DVD. why cant they just put them on the tv and let us students save our money

Published on 1 Mar 2001

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