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In 2010 movie fans were given two action movies about a group of ragtag military outcasts doing everything they could to prove their innocence and fight a domestic terrorist. There was the long awaited “A-Team” revival and “The Losers.” The latter was based on a comic series from Vertigo comics of the same name, and wouldn’t you know it? The “A-Team” movie ended up being one big rotten egg, while “The Losers” was everything the aforementioned film should have been and received zero fanfare. It’s a damn shame that a decade later, “The Losers” is so utterly unappreciated and overlooked, because—again—this is the type of movie “A-Team” should have been.
It’s stripped down, it’s simple, it’s action packed, and it’s funny as hell. In a perfect world “The Losers” would be on its fourth sequel by now, but alas it was never to be. The Sylvain White directed action comedy centers on Colonel Clay leads a black ops elite commando unit of five consisting of himself, Jensen (communications and tech), Cougar (long range weapons), Pooch (transportation and heavy weapons) and Roque (demolitions and tactical). On their latest mission to take out Fadhil, a drug lord and arms dealer hiding out in the jungles of Bolivia, they discover after the fact in the tragic way the mission ended that they were not supposed to make it out alive, and that they will be blamed for the tragedy that occurred.
They decide to plant evidence alluding to them having perished (as was the plan) by whoever was pulling the strings while they figure out what to do hopefully to get their lives back. They are certain the person who pulled those strings for their planned deaths was the unknown man with who they were communicating during the operation, he code named Max. Clay is approached by a young woman, Aisha, who offers him and them a deal as their backer, getting them back to the United States in exchange for them finding and killing Max, with it potentially being a suicide mission. Although suspicious they accept her offer.
As they try not only to find Max but also find why he wanted them dead in the process, Clay and the team may face some internal obstacles, including a potential traitor in their midst. For fans that are sticklers about movies adapting their source material faithfully, Sylvain White does a stellar job seeming to take every page of the original comic book series and putting them on screen. Everything from the bright pastels and brisk energy is present, and this only enhances this stellar ensemble flick.
The fantastic Jeffrey Dean Morgan leads the pack with a cast consisting of Zoe Saldana, Chris Evans, Idris Elba, Columbus Short, and Óscar Jaenada, with Jason Patric having a great time as the scene chewing megalomaniac Max, aided by Holt McCallany as his second in command, Wade. The cast watch as if they’ve been working together for years, delivering some great interplay, hysterical back and forths, and a wonderful dynamic that compliments each other’s own sense of humor and styles. Even Jaenada who barely mutters more than ten lines of dialogue, works wonderfully off of Evans and Dean Morgan, respectively, as the deadly assassin Cougar.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan (my number one choice to play Classic Nick Fury for years) does a great job playing off of everyone, as he conveys a ton of charisma in his lead role. He is fun to watch, especially when clashing with Idris Elba, or snapping wisecracks at Chris Evans. “The Losers” is filled with solid laughter, and some great action set pieces, while also embracing its comic book roots unabashedly. Jason Patric has a blast as the psychotic Max, a man who has devious plans to rule the world, and will literally stop at nothing. Everyone gets their chance to shine in “The Losers” with either a great action scene, or a hearty laugh.
Easily the best scene in the film is Evans’ character Jensen is cornered by guards and takes them down with finger guns. Of course, Cougar is miles away picking them off with his ace sniper skills. Director White does jump the gun a bit using the finale to basically set up a series of sequels, which is a shame. The movie tanked at the box office, leaving an open ended finale that we’d never see realized in live action. That is, unless you wanted to check out the original series. It’s heartbreaking as this could have easily gone for multiple sequels before growing stale, especially with Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Saldana leading the charge.
On the bright side, the cast didn’t exactly fall in to obscurity, but I hope we eventually reach the point where “The Losers” is appreciated as an under seen, and underappreciated action gem.