Ideas from the Eighties are being modernized and re-released all the time now, but how do these new versions stand up to the originals?

Starring: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel, Sharlto Copley
Directed by Joe Carnahan

The eighties was a great time for TV. There were such iconic shows as Knight Rider, Macgyver, Highlander, and, of course, the A-Team. We all remember BA Baracus pitying the fool, and Hannibal loving a plan coming together. Well the 21st century is the time to revive the shows that made the eighties so great. We have the new Knight Rider series on TV at the moment - good, but not as iconic as the original. We have the new film Macgruber, a spoof on Macgyver coming to our screens soon, and they’re working on a re-make of the Highlander film; but let’s be honest, can any of these match the originals? This film answers that question, and it’s a resounding yes.

Hannibal (Liam Neeson) meets B.A Baracus (Quinton “Rampage” Jackson) during a daring escape somewhere in Mexico. He enlists his help to save Face (Bradley Cooper) from a General that’s about to set him on fire, and then after springing Murdock (Sharlto Copley) out of a mental institute, he flies them to freedom doing some acrobatic flying that would have made Maverick queasy - and that’s only the first five minutes of the film. The rest of the film follows the group as they are set up for the theft of American hundred dollar money printing plates, and their quest for vindication and revenge.

This film is as good as if not better than the original series. It’s a thrill ride from the moment the 20th Century Fox emblem pops onto the screen until the final credits begin to role. The action sequences are done with an understanding of the genre that John Woo would be proud of, and the effects are in league with Terminator, in its day, and Independence Day, for sheer entertainment value.

Some concern was raised as to the actors cast in the roles. Could they pull off such iconic characters? Again, the answer is yes. Neeson has a cool confidence that makes you willing to follow him into complete madness. Cooper carries himself with the poise and grace of a real lady killer. Rampage embodies the rawness that made B.A so popular in the eighties, while bringing to his character more of a realness that you didn’t really find in Mr. T. Copley brings the madness of Murdock to a new level, with an edginess that tells you that he is not to be messed with either.

This is one of the best films of the year. It has comedy, action and depth - everything you could want on a Saturday night. Do yourself a favour: go to the cinema, buy a bucket and popcorn and settle in for the ride - you won’t regret it for one second.

About the author: Jon is a third year student currently studying at Boston Media House in Sandton. He has been writing since high school, and professionally since 2001, and has written three novels and even published one. Now he focuses on writing screen plays, working on several film scripts and a television show, and writing reviews of films that he loves, or doesn’t love, as the case may be.

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