ChrisHawk78

I have been following some of the criticism about this film. The story is lacking, to say the least. Huge parts of this movie are at best illogical if not outright absurd and factually wrong. Who cares if the non existent US Army Headquarters in Germany is actually the Czech Embassy in Berlin. Who gives a damn that it is not explained how the A-Team goes past the wrongly labeled Norwegian border-control. Who complained that even the original television series lacked a real story? This being said I can only confirm what some reviewers already stated: The A-Team is an all-fun action movie that does a lot of credit to the original series. The characters have been updated nicely and they all fill their predecessors' shoes very well. The tongue-in-cheek spirit has been kept alive and even the somewhat action-overloaded final was well made. If you have seen the abominable Starsky and Hutch you will be aware how much a remake can go wrong and please remember: This is not a Shakespeare adaption.

This movie is basically trash. The original by Jack Higgins, which I have read would have made a very nice thriller for the big screen if just converted and not completely torn apart to produce something that might have been cut together from a trashcan. The original novel might not be Higgins best but is still highly enjoyable, set in the Virgin Islands with charming recognizable characters and a distinct plot. A Nazi submarine is found by amateur diver Henry Baker. Inside he finds a diary and the so-called Windsor protocol. Recognizing the importance he takes it to a friend in London, Rear Admiral Travers, who refers it to the prime minister. Sean Dillon, a much wanted terrorist is then trapped in Yugoslavia and forced to help Charles Fergfuson of Group 4 (A security service answering only to 10 Downing Street) to recover a book containing names of people who would support the Nazis after the war. Here begins a murderous race between Dillon and Max Santiago, brought into the race by a British politician who's father is one of the most important names in the book. There is no reason to change the location (despite the cost perhaps?) and no reason to mess up the appearance of the main character(s) and certainly no reason at all to make a sequel called the Windsor protocol.

Would someone please see that justice will be done and make a proper film version of this book?

All in all I would consider this a nice TV Production that keeps to the book as well as can be expected. The Actors in themselves are good value and the scenery is quite beautiful. But (I suppose with German productions there always has to be a 'but') it is soooo German. Just with the German Pilcher-films the actors do not really manage to give the whole thing an Italian feeling. For some reason or other Germans cannot really act anyway, meaning that their acting will always be recognized as acting. Corinna Harfouch once said that film-making in this country is like everything work. There is apparently little fun on the set and therefore it is always a visible effort. There are smallish things that would already help. As when somebody knocks on a door the other person should not say 'ja' as happens here but instead use the Italian 'avanti'.

Oh well - I suppose the filmmakers should know their job by now. I f you like Brunetti you will find it OK, if you care for the Italian feeling forget it and if you just want a solid German crime film go for it.