Argo

Release Date: Oct 12, 2012 

Runtime: 2 hr.

Director: Ben Affleck 

Cast: Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Bryan Cranston, Victor Garber.

If someone had said back then that Ben Affleck would direct not one, but three Oscar-worthy films, it would have sounded preposterous. The guy who starred in such flops as "Daredevil" and "Jersey Girl," not to mention the ill-fated "Gigli." Yet as inconceivable as it may be, he's proven himself time and time again, delivering quality dramas that equal the fortitude of any trained director. Continuing this momentum, his third effort "Argo" is easily his greatest achievement yet, and ranks as one of the best films to be released this year. Based on the wildly true story of the 'Canadian Caper,' it recounts the rescue mission of six American delegates during the Iranian hostage situation. Starring Affleck himself in the role of CIA specialist Tony Mendez, he joins a diverse cast of talents to create movie magic — the movie in this case being a science-fantasy adventure titled "Argo." Under the guise of a fake production, and with the aid of the Canadian embassy, he undertakes an impossible mission that will decide the fate of innocent civilians. Tense, detailed — and often than not — engagingly funny, the film is a melting pot of sensational performances as well as dramatizations. From the opening scene at the U.S. embassy, the intensity is palpable, eliciting fear and anxiety which carry throughout in intervals. As a counterintuitive, humor is then deliberately introduced by the likes of John Goodman and Alan Arkin; a genius combo that double-handedly steals every scene they're in, dispensing more laughs than typical comedies. It's this blend of tautness and witticism that makes for an engaging rollercoaster ride, while synchronizing events that occur in real time. Affleck, for his part, is as conducive in front of the camera as he is behind it, attesting once again that he is his own best muse. His scraggly appearance doesn't mask the fact that he's grown as an actor who's had his fair share of critical disappointments. While the story itself is not unfamiliar, and the outcome already foreseeable, it's still a heart-pounding race that never lets up until the final remaining seconds. Non-fictional or not, "Argo" is certainly a film worth viewing because come award season, this is the one to watch.

Rating: 5 stars