It's my favourite Affleck-directed film, for whatever that's worth. Tightly scripted and crafted, with a terrific cast. Of course, as in The Town, Affleck has to give himself all the weighty dramatic moments, but that's to be expected, I suppose. But his character doesn't really earn the third-act crisis of conscience granted to him.

It needs more John Goodman, but that can be said of almost all films.

My favorite movie of the year so far, and Ben Affleck's most accomplished film to date. That's pretty high praise coming from me, as I was a big fan of The Town and (especially) Gone Baby Gone. But Argo is brisk, confident, and seriously entertaining throughout all while presenting an incredible true story. Superb acting from a talented cast all around: Affleck himself, Alan Arkin and John Goodman are hilarious as the Hollywood figures, and Bryan Cranston does excellent work as a CIA honcho. In the Gigli era, when Affleck's reputation in the biz was on the wane, I'm not sure anyone predicted he had this natural talent as a filmmaker. Argo proves the first two films of his career were not flukes by building on their scope and appeal. A

ARGO

Saw it this afternoon 1013@1645. I enjoyed the film. I really enjoyed the opening with the storming of the embassy and the formation of the cover story. There were some nice funny moments peppered throughout the first half of the film. I thought the buildup to the escape was well done and created good tension all the way up to the plane taking off. I was a bit curious how all 6 could get past the passport people when you'd have 6 people in a row not having the white slip. They kind of brushed over that. That would have been a red flag to me if I was the Iranian security personnel. Other than that, I liked the film. It's an interesting story that highlights one of the bright spots in the history of the CIA. However, it also wasn't a film that left a lasting impression on me so while being good it wasn't a great film to me.

Grade - B

Basically agree. Each film that Affleck has directed has been really good, not great to me. They are about as well made as movies come, but they don't pack that extra punch. There's a good story, great pacing, acting, cinematography, etc. but its nothing worth remembering comes a year's time. Definitely don't see this winning Best Picture.

B+

Btw, how crazy is it that Argo, The Town and Gone Baby Gone have all ended up with a 94% rating on RT?

As one watches the even-handed comic story board prologue provide invaluable context to the 1979 siege of the US Embassy, they could be fooled into thinking they're about to watch a new classic. And indeed Argo does have it's fair share of fine moments. Ben Affleck is good at giving the audience what they want. Perhaps too good. Much like The Town, Argo swirls into an action-packed climax that strains plausibility before piling on the schmaltz. This is an even bigger impediment for Argo than The Town because the film insists that it's a true story. As a storyteller Affleck is entitled to create tension and thrills not present in the truth, but his dogged insistence on making the last third a perpetual nail-biter becomes distracting, not invigorating. So while the scope and ambition of Argo is laudable, I'm inclined to believe Gone Baby Gone is still his best film, if only for giving audiences the tough ending they deserve and not the brainless thrill ride they want.
B-

I must admit, I am a bit mystified by this film's glowing reception. It is solid and sound, earnest and crafted with A-list care, but never electric or mind-blowing or powerful beyond a certain moment to moment suspense. Every element here, from the conflicted spy hero to the atmosphere of a nation exploding with rage and revolution, can be found in more than one superior film. This can't hold a candle to, say, Bloody Sunday or Munich. It is never mediocre, yet it does not contribute much to the conversation. Rather, it just performs a recognizable routine with an admirable, low-key confidence. The third act has a strange dynamic where the high level of suspense generated by a conversation is in fact reduced by the introduction of gunfire and a racing car.

B

Ben is almost becoming too proficient and well oiled a studio director. Moving from Sidney Lumet territory to Rob Reiner.

Really enjoyed it, but I'm also in the "not amazing" group. Everything is top notch here, but it's never wow. It's my least favorite of the three films Ben Affleck has directed, but I really loved The Town and Gone Baby Gone.

Indeed...

Reviews here are pretty consistent with "Its good but nothing special". I guess far from what general auds and reviewers are saying but Im happy that it lowers my expectations somewhat.

I guess I'll be alone on my island declaring this the best of the year. lol

The sexual tension between Magnus and Libs is heightening.

I'm head over heels in love with Argo. This is so not a dime a dozen movie. if it's the BP/BD favorite of the year I'll be thrilled.

It's only a matter of time until they meet up in a Fuddruckers and hastily fuck in the handicapped washroom.

I think I have too much vagina for Magnus. Also, what the hell @ this post.

This was so ordinary.

Strange, 2/3s of the way through I was thinking "Hey, this is actually really great!", but while the last act was well done in all, the movie as a whole ended up leaving me with a feeling of "That was good but doesn't leave that big a mark". I guess it just needed a little more spark or flavor to it somewhere along the way

I saw this last weekend and thought it was absolutely outstanding. I was completely engrossed in it from the first frame to the last and thought the performances were electrifying. I felt for every single character especially Mendez and the team he was rescuing. Also the final thirty minutes or so were mind-numbingly intense. This is definitely one of the year's best and deserves all the praise it's been receiving. Can't think of anything I disliked about it. A+

On the surface, the story of Argo, about the CIA rescuing Americans from Tehran during an Iranian hostage crisis by pretending they are members of a Canadian film crew – is ripe for a Hollywood film adaptation. Ben Affleck has shown strong talent in “Gone Baby Gone” and “The Town” directing suspense sequences and carries that over most of all in Argo. Argo from a technical perspective is exceptional. The editing, atmosphere and movement of the scenes is perfected to create an exciting mix of action (in the second half) and comedy (in the first).

However, one issue facing a film like Argo is how to make its characters fleshed out and human. We aren’t told much about Tony Mendez (Affleck) other than that he has a kid, nor the supporting characters in the CIA or Hollywood. Nor do the Americans in Tehren have much time for personal development. As a result at times it feels the characters in Argo are “thriller delivery devices”. They are there to service the suspense of the story and Affleck’s filmmaking, the story and filmmaking isn’t there to service them.

The danger faced by Mendez and the Americans getting out of Tehran is obviously embellished, though I don’t mind it if it adds to the film. At the same time, I do believe the last act escape would have been suspenseful enough without the screaming, one noted stereotypically evil terrorists trying to catch them. The highlight of the film however is the first half and the interaction of Mendez and his two Hollywood partners Lester (Alan Arkin) and John Chambers (John Goodman). Arkin gets the best lines in the film and does a strong job mixing biting humor with worn down sadness underneath.

Ultimately the biggest impression I left Argo with is that it’s an exceptional exercise of scene building and shooting talent by Affleck. But the gap between exceptional filmmaking and a complete/great film is significant and Argo slightly falls short of the latter. It is very good, but doesn’t leave the greatest or most memorable impression.

http://jrodgermoviereviews.wordpress.co ... leck-2012/

Also I made this post on awardsdaily

Actually, it is prety terrific.

I had no interest in seeing this but caved in 'cause of the glowing reviews and Oscar buzz... I liked it, the last half hour was pretty tense and it's well made overall. For some reason it felt more like a movie for HBO or Showtime, surprised general audiences are embracing it. If it does go on to win something like Best Picture then ew.

Dullsville.

Most overhyped film I've seen in ages.


2 out of 5.

I'm surprised it is not better-received here. I have seen it for the second time now and it's still gripping as hell. The script is terrific and the entire supporting cast is just awesome. It's amazing how much suspense Affleck has crafted with such simple means.