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Here's a look at the movies that opened Friday. It was a 1980s throwback week....

The A Team

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Liam Neeson, Patrick Wilson, Jessica Biel, Sharlto Copley, and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson

Quick Take: "The A-Team" is a remake of the 1980s TV show, and it's not bad for a summer action film. However, it takes the story in a different direction. "The A-Team" of the 1980s was more of an action-comedy. It wasn't, in my opinion, to be taken that seriously. The film, while throwing in one-liners and winks and nods to the camera, seems like a more serious take on the material. The story if fairly similar — a special ops team that is falsely accused and convicted of crimes they didn't commit and sent to prison. The group breaks out and works to clear their names, and when they can't they offer their services as mercenaries for hire, except with a conscience. There are some decent action sequences and the actors all fill the roles quite well. I enjoyed "The A-Team," but it's fairly predictable and, again, has a somewhat conflicted tone. Still, for a summer popcorn flick it ain't bad.

Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence throughout, language and smoking.

Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Karate Kid

Starring: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, and Taraji P. Henson

Quick Take: This is a re-make of another 1980s classic and this one follows the story of the original nearly exactly — accept for a couple things. First, the main character, Dre (Smith), is much younger than in the original. And two, in the new film, Dre and his mother move from Detroit, Michigan (one of the most economically depressed cities in our country) to China. There, Dre is picked on by bullies who are quite adept at kung fu. To ward off constant physical assaults, Dre turns to the maintenance man in his building, Mr. Han (Chan), who trains him in the art of kung fu to prepare him to face his enemies in an upcoming tournament. There are a few things this film has going for it. First, the acting is solid. Henson is an Academy Award nominee and brings a touch of class to the role, and Chan is adept at both physical comedy and playing these types of enlightened mentor roles. Smith also does well. It's clear he has tremendous talent and has a screen presence that's better than most of his peers and actors twice his age. The other thing the film has going for it is the setting. The film beautifully captures the essence of the locational shoots in China, and it adds to the feel of the film tremendously. The story is predictable and familiar, and the film runs a bit too long, but it is still a fairly enjoyable experience.

Rating: PG for bullying, martial arts action violence and some mild language.

Verdict: Three stars out of four.