Argo: NR #27

Ben Affleck sure has turned his career around hasn't he? He started out as a horrible to sub-par actor whose only claim to fame was as a co-writer, oh yeah, and he dated J-Lo. Yet ever since he left her behind, he's become not only a good actor, but found his true talent behind the camera as a director. Now the only one of his directed movie's I've seen has been "The Town", which I loved. So you can guess my excitement when I heard about his new film. Is it any good, or is Affleck a two hit wonder? Let's find out in my review of...

  Let's Begin

PLOT

Taking place during the Iranian hostage situation of the late 70's, the film follows Tony Mendaes, an FBI agent who's job is to get people out of dangerous situations, who has to help six american's who escaped capture and are now hiding out at the Canadian ambassador's house. With little to no options left, Tony decides that the best plan is to make a fake movie. In claiming to make a fake "Star Wars" ripoff called "Argo", the six american's can disguise themselves as a Canadian film crew and get out of the country. 

PROS

The actors in this film do an amazing job. Everyone get's a moment to shine and never overshadow's anyone else's suburp performance.

The film's script and dialogue is its biggest strength. It not only is engaging and interesting, but it's also very funny, mixing the humor and drama perfectly.

Now I was not alive during this period in history, and I didn't even know this happened until this film was released, and the they convey the situation very well. At the beginning, they show the U.S. embassy getting overrun by the Iranian's, and I was honestly frightened, as was the world at this time.

Tension is one of this movie's many specialities. I was a little tense throughout the whole movie, but never sacred. The last 30 min. had me scared, so tense that a heart shaped piece of skin popped out of my chest every 2 seconds. 

Luckily, the comedy in this movie helps relieve the tension in the first and second halves of the film. I missed a ton of dialogue just thinking about some of the lines said in this film.

Every hostage is well developed and act realistically. While this may seem like a no brainer, sometimes movies just leave out those little details that "Argo" get's across in very little time. It makes those last 30 min. even more exhilarating.

Affleck's attention to detail is incredible. The film is shot in a way that is very reminiscent of movies from the 70's, with film grain and everything. The sets are also very detailed, only filled with stuff an average person from the 70's would have.

CONS

All of my problems with this film are tiny nit-picks that barely affect it as a whole.

CONCLUSION

What a way to start off Oscar season. This is the true sign of Affleck's talent, not only as a director but also as an actor. I was sucked in by this movie, never feeling bored are looking at my watch. I can't wait to see what Affleck does next, and to any upcoming Oscar contenders, I hope you bring your A game x2, cause "Argo" just blew it out of the water. I would suggest you see this film, which I do, but I'd rather you support "Sinister", the new horror movie that came out this week. While I would have seen it, I'm not above the age of 17 and I don't know anyone above that age that would see it. Why do I want everyone to go see it? Let me put it like this. I hate, HATE, being scared, that's why most of the Horror movies I see are more focused on comedy or gore. This movie was intended to be rated PG-13, but the MPAA gave it an R because it was too scary to show to teenagers, and yet this is my most anticipated films of this year. So please, GO SEE THIS MOVIE, then go see "Argo" right after, ok? ok.

RATING

RUN TO!