4 reviews
I watched one rerun episodes this week and it is exactly as I remember, cheesy cr@p, not even in a funny way.
This has to be the most overrated TV show from the decade that was the 1980's.
This has to be the most overrated TV show from the decade that was the 1980's.
- ronbell-23984
- Jun 20, 2019
- Permalink
The A-Team is pure silly and pretentious as it struggles to be a good action series and is not. For those who disagree here is my justification for this claim based upon long analysis and evidence.
First off all I do not expect Shakespeare but a good action show with a stable scenario. The only positive thing i can say is that the white Corvette (not the Van) was iconic.
The characters are too juvenile, wooden and foolish to be ex-Vietnam vets (notably the fool Mr T) along with the pseudo-crime based story lines with cheesy action that just drags. In all rational being mercenaries in disguise as they are it would contradict their starring roles as altruistic Robin Hood figures leaving them vulnerable to corruption - not so good for television heroes. Also if they are on the run they would have to live some how and every crime they tackle the authorities would off easily traced and caught or head hunted them. Secondly going back to the mercenary argument earlier they would off not done a service for nothing unless their was personal gain rather then sentimentality making the whole series absurd with just a flashy Van, Catchy but cheesy music and larger the life grown up children to hide its dysfunctional writing.
If the writers of the A-team had made it an American adaption of the British series The Professionals - with a touch of the New Avengers it would have a stable theme and scenario basis that would be dramatically coherent, believable and interesting storylines along with some image excitement rather then silly flamboyance with universal action that deals in genuine crime suitable for all ages, deep characters, good story lines, fast cars and the late George Peppard as a duo's boss (in my view one male and one female) being an American version of the Gordon Jackson role in The Professionals and perhaps done slightly earlier then when the A-team originally came out it would of been great series that would of become a great classic, old gold. But sadly another flop with just a brand name making it tolerable.
First off all I do not expect Shakespeare but a good action show with a stable scenario. The only positive thing i can say is that the white Corvette (not the Van) was iconic.
The characters are too juvenile, wooden and foolish to be ex-Vietnam vets (notably the fool Mr T) along with the pseudo-crime based story lines with cheesy action that just drags. In all rational being mercenaries in disguise as they are it would contradict their starring roles as altruistic Robin Hood figures leaving them vulnerable to corruption - not so good for television heroes. Also if they are on the run they would have to live some how and every crime they tackle the authorities would off easily traced and caught or head hunted them. Secondly going back to the mercenary argument earlier they would off not done a service for nothing unless their was personal gain rather then sentimentality making the whole series absurd with just a flashy Van, Catchy but cheesy music and larger the life grown up children to hide its dysfunctional writing.
If the writers of the A-team had made it an American adaption of the British series The Professionals - with a touch of the New Avengers it would have a stable theme and scenario basis that would be dramatically coherent, believable and interesting storylines along with some image excitement rather then silly flamboyance with universal action that deals in genuine crime suitable for all ages, deep characters, good story lines, fast cars and the late George Peppard as a duo's boss (in my view one male and one female) being an American version of the Gordon Jackson role in The Professionals and perhaps done slightly earlier then when the A-team originally came out it would of been great series that would of become a great classic, old gold. But sadly another flop with just a brand name making it tolerable.
After watching Season One of TV's "A-Team" - I am now completely convinced that back in the early 1980s American masculinity was being seriously threatened, big-time.
And, as a result of this assault on manliness - A testosterone-charged, macho-man TV series called "A-Team" was frantically created in order to "butch-up-the-nation" again.
I mean - As silly as this may sound - That's the only thing that makes any sense to me as to why such a preposterous, male-dominated program as this one was produced (and, why, due to its vast popularity, it actually lasted for 5 solid seasons).
And, as a result of this assault on manliness - A testosterone-charged, macho-man TV series called "A-Team" was frantically created in order to "butch-up-the-nation" again.
I mean - As silly as this may sound - That's the only thing that makes any sense to me as to why such a preposterous, male-dominated program as this one was produced (and, why, due to its vast popularity, it actually lasted for 5 solid seasons).
- strong-122-478885
- Mar 11, 2018
- Permalink
I had a neighbor friend who was a little slow and a year younger than me. He loved this show. We were preteens when this show ran, I saw my friend's enjoyment of the show and I wanted to love it too. The intro was pretty good, the music exciting. But the show itself sucked and still does. It's strange that I feel this way as I'm a sucker for most 60s, 70s and 80s shows, willing to cut them breaks that modern shows wouldn't get.
But alas, the characters were unbelievable and bad; the writing mediocre; and a lot of the effects were very average to below average. Even the action was sub-par and lacked punch despite reviewers actually lauding it, strangely.
Howling Mad was a ridiculous, unfunny character whose persona felt forced and his jokes fell short. Hannibal was a grey-haired leader with a slight ponch who wore gloves and had a foot-long cigar that never appeared to be lit though he drew on it. The womanizer fellow was too skinny and dumb and whatever. About the coolest was Mr. T but even he drew largely on gimmicks like excessive jewelry, growly demeanor and a Mohawk haircut; if you actually analyze his stature compared to today's WWE or mma fighters he's just a fairly average-sized dude.
There was one episode I saw recently on MeTV and essentially they were rigging up an old white van for battle. They had put fencing over the windows. The finished product looked so amateurish now watching it as an adult and I'm sure it provided no use other than for appearances (if it didn't blow away).
Interesting premise, total lack of delivery. Actually an annoying piece or history that doesn't deserve re-run time today in my opinion.
But alas, the characters were unbelievable and bad; the writing mediocre; and a lot of the effects were very average to below average. Even the action was sub-par and lacked punch despite reviewers actually lauding it, strangely.
Howling Mad was a ridiculous, unfunny character whose persona felt forced and his jokes fell short. Hannibal was a grey-haired leader with a slight ponch who wore gloves and had a foot-long cigar that never appeared to be lit though he drew on it. The womanizer fellow was too skinny and dumb and whatever. About the coolest was Mr. T but even he drew largely on gimmicks like excessive jewelry, growly demeanor and a Mohawk haircut; if you actually analyze his stature compared to today's WWE or mma fighters he's just a fairly average-sized dude.
There was one episode I saw recently on MeTV and essentially they were rigging up an old white van for battle. They had put fencing over the windows. The finished product looked so amateurish now watching it as an adult and I'm sure it provided no use other than for appearances (if it didn't blow away).
Interesting premise, total lack of delivery. Actually an annoying piece or history that doesn't deserve re-run time today in my opinion.