DVD Review: ‘The A-Team: The Complete Series’ Collector Set

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CHICAGO – The 2010 version of “The A-Team” (read our review here) may have been a bit of a disappointment at the box office this weekend (producers learned that there’s only space for one ’80s throwback per weekend as Hannibal and B.A. got their ass kicked by “The Karate Kid” — read our review here), but enough people saw it that it probably inspired a bit of nostalgia for the original show or interest by a younger generation who may not be sure why Mr. T. was famous. Collectors should immediately track down the awesomely-packaged “The A-Team: The Complete Series.”

DVD Rating: 3.5/5.0

It’s tough for studios to figure out how to spark renewed interest in television shows that have already been available on DVD for years. The last season of “The A-Team” came out on DVD almost four years ago, so what could they possibly tie in with the new movie with Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, and Jessica Biel? Studios can go one of two ways — new special features or new packaging. Universal took the latter route with the complete series set of “The A-Team”.

The A-Team: The Complete Series was released on DVD on June 8th, 2010
Photo credit: Universal

The 25 discs already available are now packaged in one black van complete with images of Hannibal and B.A. looking out the front windows and Face and Murdock peering out the back ones. The package is fun, but, to be fair, also a bit cheaply designed. It’s a big cardboard box around the five standard DVD sets. It’s also a relatively steep price point for five seasons of television (an MSRP of $149.98) but the hardcore fan of “The A-Team” who doesn’t already own the beloved show on DVD will smile at the packaging alone. It’s the perfect tongue-in-cheek companion to a program that never took itself too seriously.

All 98 episodes that aired from 1983 to 1987 on NBC are presented in typical 1.33:1 standard color and accompanied by Dolby Digital Stereo tracks. Only two special features are included on all 25 discs — “The Great ’80s TV Flashback” and “Rumors of Soldier of Fortune” (an interview with series creator Stephen J. Cannell, who shares his stories about creating the series and its iconic characters, behind-the-scenes moments and working with the unforgettable cast).

Perhaps its partially due to its ‘83-‘87 run dates, but when most of us of the right generation think about cheesy ’80s television, “The A-Team” is almost always the first program to come to mind. The film that attempts to reboot the love affair with this crack commando unit may have underperformed a bit, but for anyone considering buying a 25-disc set dressed up like a van, “The A-Team” is still the one to hire, if you can find them.

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com