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SOUND OFF

Sound Off: Ben Affleck's True Story Thriller 'Argo' - Your Thoughts?

by Alex Billington
October 12, 2012

Now that you've seen it, what did you think? In 1979, during the Iranian Revolution, Islamic militants take over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and hold 52 Americans hostage. Six escaped and hide in the Canadian ambassador's home. This is the story of how they got home. Actor-turned-filmmaker Ben Affleck brings this riveting, intense thriller of a story to life on the big screen in Argo, starring an ensemble cast including Affleck, with Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Scoot McNairy and Clea DuVall. How is it? This year's top Oscar contender or not? If you've seen it, post a comment with your thoughts on Argo.

To fuel the fire, I first saw Argo at the Telluride Film Festival (our video blog) and enjoyed it quite a bit. It's a damn good movie, that's for sure, but not really my favorite of the year as it hasn't grown on me much since. It is very thrilling, and quite humorous (thanks to Alan Arkin and John Goodman in two of the stand out roles), up to the point where I was gripping my seat and sweating to see if they make it out (even though we already know the outcome). I fully believe that Ben Affleck is a better—or more consistent—director than he is actor, and it shows here, as his direction is what makes this so damn good and so damn entertaining from start to finish. Excellent work all-around, from cast and crew, just a great movie. Argo f**k yourselves!

What did you think of Ben Affleck's Argo? Engaging, enjoyable thriller or a contrived bore? We will remove any comments that indicate you have not seen the movie, as this area is meant to discuss the film only once you have seen it and can talk about your thoughts. Please keep the comments civilized!

Filed under Discuss, Sound Off

From around the web:

David

Loved it Ben Affleck is a great director! He can be a great actor.when he has the script and character.Stay away from the paycheck movies Ben and keep doing the Boston movies We love them in Charlestown!!
http://twitter.com/ChippyFonToast ChippyFonToast

Slightly overrated. I didn't think it was nearly as tense as everyone has made it out to be. The ending was a bit...fake (manufactured tension).
- http://twitter.com/ssoyunum So Yun Um
  
  i totally agree about the manufactured tension... it couldnt have pooooossibly happened like that
Alyne

Loved it! Saw it in Telluride and enjoyed the combination of suspense and some humor.
http://twitter.com/ssoyunum So Yun Um

i thought it was well done esp by ben affleck. but definitely by no means, the movie of the year. it was tense but at times it just seemed tense for the stake of it being a movie. http://sosreelthoughts.blogspot.com/
cagestin

I thought it was a well-executed thriller. Affleck continues to grow as a director and I look forward to his future projects as such.
ion677

Awesome movie. I hope this wins best director, and Les Mis wins best pic.
clinteastwoodscloset

I was dissapointed. Yes the ending was very well done, but the first two acts had some major tonal issues and lacked character development. B-
DustyOR

I am tired of la la land recreating news events in a film When they are not doing it, the Wolfe is doing it of Law & Order SVU etc. UGH It was bad enough to have lived through it when it happened. Have no interest in seeing this recreation on the big screen or DVD
- Community
  
  So....? We dont realy care
  - DustyOR
    
    It was just my feeling........not meant to dissuade anyone from seeing it.
Cindy S

Oh wow- I just saw Argo an hour ago and am still sweating from tension. What a great movie- talk about edge of your seat and it's so interesting that you know the outcome and still jsut about bite your nails off! Just like Apollo 13! Love ben Affleck- I do agree with one reviewer that wrapped up too much in the ending such as his renewed relationship with his wife- that could have been done in the credits. But what a really enjoyable movie it was!
Bobo_Vision

Argo fuck yourself.
- Richie G
  
  angry pirate
andrewjoegeorge

Overlooked in this film was the casting. I know it probably won't even garner consideration, but the end credits scene/info showed an incredible feat in costume, makeup, and casting
octopus9498

Spoiler Alert!!! The biggest problem I had with the end was why didn't they just call the tower and have the plane stopped that way?
- Freud64
  
  Well, here's one more. This entire rescue, with so much riding on it ... is almost stopped dead in its tracks because "John Chambers" and Alan Arkin's producer character wouldn't cross a movie set?? So, the phone rings and rings, and only at the last split second do they decide to cross the set so the phone could be answered, hence "verifying" Mendez and his team as filmmakers? Honestly, it's Hollywood b.s. like this that turns a potentially great movie into overrated, condescending fluff. 10-1 it'll win the Oscar for Best Picture too.
Clayton

I loved the movie. It was intelligent and realistically suspenseful, there wasn't a shootout while trying to board the plane. The only problem I had with it was Ben Affleck playing Tony Mendez who is Latino. The casting was excellent and Affleck should have allowed for casting to find an individual who was Latino and would be able to hold his own.
http://twitter.com/foreverand4days Lisa Brown

Excellent movie in every way. Everyone should see this as it is based on actual events that should never be forgotten. Great cast, wonderful recreation of the time and touching to see the stills from the actual people/events side by side.