This is very much an origins story, the whole film heading towards those famous words that started every episode "They survive as soldiers of fortune. If you've got a problem...". On the way it covers Mexico, Iraq, Germany and finally the US with some very ingenious plans coming together.
There is an argument to say that it starts too strong - the Mexico and Iraq sections work well with some entertaining action, but set the bar so high that later sections have to try to hard. The flying tank is at least fun, but the finale over-reaches itself into some very dodgy CGi territory, which is a shame as what has gone before has been entertaining - utter nonsense with huge plot-holes, but highly entertaining utter nonsense.
Of the cast, Bradley Cooper's Face and Sharlto District 9 Copley's Murdock are spot on. Liam Neeson lacks George Peppards easy charm, but adds a bit of depth and seriousness. It is former wrestler Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson who has the hardest shoes to fill and he never quite manages to step out of Mr T's shadow as BA Baracus. Wisely he decides not to try a sraight imitiation but to make more of his own character and does enough to show that he has a future in acting, but is still the weakest link of the quartet. That said its Patrick Wilson's CIA spook Lynch who comes closest to stealing the whole movie.
Smokin' Aces director Joe Carnahan handles the action well-enough, although some moments are still too blurry and confusing, which is a common modern fault. (Very few directors seem to be able to master Paul Greengrass' ability to put the camera right in the action and still make it followable) and there are some good moments in the script.
Overall - 6.5/10 This is not the classic that fans might have been hoping for, but neither does it disgrace the TV show's memory. It won't tax your brain-cells, but does provide entertaining action, slightly let down by an over-reaching finale.
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