“In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire…The A-Team.”
I was 12 when The A-Team premiered. The show followed the adventures of said “crack commando unit,” who acted like 12-year-old boys, only with adult knowledge of the world, and uncanny ability to make useful tools and weapons 
from whatever they had on hand (way before MacGyver!). It was as cartoony a live-action show as has ever been made. They shot 100,000 rounds a show and never killed anybody. Of course it’s necessary to blow up ten city blocks to save the girl. And isn’t that cool how it all went up right when Hannibal lit his cigar?
It was a rare show in that it was clearly made with children in mind, but was engaging enough for adults (as long as they didn’t take themselves too seriously). Chris and I sat rapt.
There’s a film in development (isn’t there always anymore?), currently scheduled for release about this time next year. Casting rumors include Bruce Willis as Hannibal, Woody Harrelson as Murdock, and Ice Cube as B.A. Baracus. (I presume someone from that Damon/Affleck/DiCaprio wad of good-looking boys I can’t ever keep straight would play Faceman.)
‘Course, it’s Hollywood, so how are they going to screw it up? That Stephen J. Cannell, the original show’s producer, is involved is encouraging. Perhaps the film will preserve the lighthearted, comedy/action balance of the show. There is a time, place, and movie for serious topics, and this isn’t it. The last thing we need is The A-Team fighting global warming or washing crude oil off wading birds. Bring it, folks, but do it right.
“I love it when a plan comes together.”
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I understand. There’s an honesty about it. Nobody likes the asshole who makes it big doing crazy wacky shit, and then decides he’s a serious thespian.
How can they screw it up? Well, it was so awful to start with, I don’t think that’s possible.