The film begins with a quick vignette that explains how the team comes together during the Iraq war. Bosco Baracus, dishonorably discharged from the Army, meets Colonel Smith in the Mexican desert. When they realize they are both Army Rangers, the join forces to rescue Lt. Peck from a ruthless gang lord. After saving Peck, the three race to an Army hospital, where they spring Murdock from the mental ward. The newly formed team escapes in fine high-dramatic fashion, and go on to become an Alpha unit — one of the most elite special forces groups in the Army.

Fast forward "eight years and eighty missions later." The plot begins in earnest. THE A-TEAM is a caper film at its core, depending on crafty, over-the-top planning, seamless teamwork and more than a few one-liners. Be prepared to suspend your knowledge of physics and your common sense at the door. This is an action film dipped in a wash of hyperbole. It's hilarious. It's silly, it's larger-than-life. There is cross, double cross, triple cross — you'll lose count of the crosses. There are homemade gadgets that would inspire MacGyver and amaze Q. There's a smattering of romance. There are explosions — you'll lose count of those, too. Car chases? Check. Horrible catastrophes that people miraculously walk away from? Check. Prison breaks? Check.

The script is carefully crafted to include some of the signature themes from the television series: B.A. Baracus still hates to fly, the black-and-red GM Vanagon out runs every chase vehicle on its tail. There are so many nods to the series, the film is a virtual bobblehead. These tributes are a lot of fun, but it can get a bit tedious. Unfortunately, the script is not carefully crafted when it comes to dialog. There are some very funny bits, but none of characters sound the least bit believable. Even the very few true dramatic scenes are stilted and thick; the actors can't get past what they're expected to say. Come to think of it, there really isn't much acting going on at all. There's mugging and posturing, but no acting. Liam Neeson's native Irish accent comes and goes; South African Sharlto Copley's attempt at a southern accent is just ridiculous. The soundtrack is at times overly dramatic, distracting, and disjointed. The special effects are not close to what we have come to expect from computer-generated-image artists in the modern age. Scene after scene requires the viewer to suspend belief. And for all of the violence — explosions, crashes, falls through glass, shootings — there is almost no blood, and no visual acknowledgement of any fatal consequence. But Stephen J. Cannell is a smart guy.

Why smart? Because he made sure that director-/co-writer Joe Carnahan with writers Brian Bloom and Skip Woods remained true to the original vision of the series. And the series also suffered through and thrived with the same shortcomings. We did not enjoy The A-Team for its brilliant dialog or its gritty realism. We waited each week for B. A. to pity the fool, for Hannibal's plan to come together, and for Face to figure out yet another clever way to get Murdock out of the loony bin. The A-Team was fun 25 years ago, and it's fun now. I love it when a plan comes together.

If you were a fan of the television series, go see THE A-TEAM at the theater. If you are familiar with the series, wait for the DVD release. If neither of the above applies, catch some old episodes on Hulu.com, and then join the fun.