trims
Since: Aug, 2012
02/13/2014 00:00:00
Overall, I would agree.
However, there is one big caution here: Argo is only VERY loosely based on a true story. The film is about as historically accurate in terms of showing the actual events as Braveheart was. That is to say, not really. Artistic License - History, indeed.
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Oscar-worthy and tense, but with a few dull parts
Argo is ultimatly a historical drama, so the film overall is very serious and focused. It really isn't showy and thus there aren't any scenes that especially stand out. There are also a few dull moments here and there that caused me to zone out for a few moments in boredom. Alot of hardcore history buffs are going to nitpick about the historical inaccuracies, but it's impossible to make a good movie if you strictly and absolutely stick to what really happened so the artistic liberties are definetly for the best.
Ben Affleck is calm and professional as CIA specialist, Tony Mendez, as he manages to cooly execute this plan without resorting to violence. However, the real stand outs in this film are supervisor Jack O'Donnell (Bryan Cranston), Hollywood make-up artist John Chambers (John Goodman), and big-shot producer Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin). Lester Siegel is actually a composite of several real-life people who helped out with the plan and gets the best lines. Cranston, Goodman, and especially Arkin all get great and funny lines ("ARG Ofuckyourself").
The film begins with a creative use of storyboards to give a crash course on the events leading to the storming of the US embassy in Tehran. The writing is really good as there are several funny lines throughout the movie (mainly provided by the before-mentioned Cranston, Goodman, and Arkin), along with a few self-depreciating jabs at the film industry, and several refences to famous movies (including a subtle "The Muppets" reference and a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance of Jack Kirby, a major figure in the comic industry who actually assisted with the operation in real life). The second half of this film is uttely packed with tension and Afflex does a great job of using cinematography and sound to heighten the tention till you're chewing your fingers off (I'm currently typing this review by slamming my face repeatedly into the keyboa-edcxr4tgvb).
All in all, tension and bits of humor based on historical events make this film and it definitely deserves to win at the Oscars.
Cons: Not really that showy and can be a bit dull at a couple of parts
Pros: Based on historical events, ALOT of tension, excellent writing with a good amount of occasional humor