Review: Argo (2012)

While I wait the long year-and-a-half until the upcoming Batman vs. Superman flick hits the big screen, I decided to do my Ben Affleck homework and see exactly what he’s capable of besides just being a two-dimensional and sometimes funny actor that has taken to directing as of late.  The first target on my list was Argo.  And while I didn’t see Affleck doing much in the way of outstanding acting, he has certainly impressed me as a very solid director.  I can certainly see why this movie was nominated for and won so many damn awards during its year.

The story of Argo is all about the hostage crisis in Iran during the late 70s.  It’s based on a true story (with some liberties taken for film, of course) and it is certainly an interesting tale to say the least.  In order to rescue a group of six refugees, a CIA operative decides to pass them off as a Canadian film crew.  So he goes the whole nine yards to make this illusion complete.  They enlist the help of people in Hollywood, even going so far as to put on media events to promote a film that doesn’t truly exist.

When the time comes, he goes into hostile territory, knowing his life will be on the line and trains the six people up in less than a day.  They face many close calls (likely many of them tailored to make the film more tense), but finally escape the country intact.  Everyone lives happily ever after and the operation, due to the U.S. being unable to take credit for it, becomes the brain-child of the Canadian government.

First and foremost, the story is one of those true-life events that really makes you wonder.  This is spy stuff that doesn’t show up in the likes of a James Bond film, the real operations that are both ridiculous and clever as all hell.  That’s part of the fun of the movie, is seeing them pull off something that they really shouldn’t be able to do.  I don’t know the real story behind it, but the script was written well enough that it comes across as daring, interesting and just a slight bit over-the-top.

As for the production, the actors do amazing jobs all around.  No one really stands out among them, but they all perform solidly enough to draw you in to all the events going down on the screen.  Affleck does his usual deadpan acting, which works given the story, but nothing in what he does truly stands out - aside from the directing.  I’ve only recently been exposed to Affleck’s directorial skills (Argo being the first), but I have to say that I’m fairly impressed.  The movie as a whole is a cinematic accomplishment, and Affleck far surpasses most other directors working in Hollywood these days.  If I had to compare his work to anyone, it would be to veteran directors such as Brian de Palma or Francis Ford Coppola with their attention to the movie in its complete form as opposed to any particular nuances.  Good job Ben!

Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a very impressive 96/90% and the film deserves it.  Even if Affleck doesn’t turn out to be the best Batman, he certainly has a long and successful career ahead of him as an Academy Award-winning director.

Photo Credits -           

Argo courtesy of argomovie.warnerbrothers.com