REVIEW: Argo – in 250 Words

by dreynolds91

Widespread acclaim and winner of three of seven Oscar nominations including ‘Best Picture’, ‘Argo’ was one of the biggest hits of 2012. That said, it came with its critics and some have said it’s the worst film to win ‘Best Picture’ since ‘Crash’ in 2005…

Ben Afflect in ‘Argo’

In 1979, Iranians storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran due to Pres. Jimmy Carter’s actions. Over fifty staff are taken hostage, though six escape and are sheltered in the home of Canadian ambassador Ken Taylor. Tony Mendez, working for the CIA, must get them out of Iran before they are captured and the result is ‘Argo’, a fake sci-fi film filmed in Iran with the six escapees being crewmembers.

Affleck has created a film deserving of its accolades with his impressive and passionate direction. Although there are scenes which are over the top and far-fetched, ‘Argo’ lives up to the hype and the run-time feels half of what it is. The drama, pacing and intensity of the film is what makes it all work so well and the performances are flawless. John Goodman and Alan Arkin in particular are terrific and the comedy segments in their scenes work perfectly.

‘Argo’ is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that entertains from start to finish. It has come under fire from some because although it’s based on true events, it’s not historically correct. This is however, Hollywood, and not a history lesson. If you want an immense thriller, you’ll love ‘Argo’, if you want a history lesson, ‘Argo fuck yourself’.

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