Written by James M. Tate / 2/24/2013 / 4 Comments / 2012 , alan arkin , ben affleck , biopic , john goodman , tate donovan , thriller
ARGO
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year: 2012 cast: Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Bryan Cranston rating: ** |
Enter Affleck’s Tony Mendez: we first see him waking up with an empty beer can on his dresser, so he’s got the makings of the typical maverick hero. While watching BATTLE FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES on TV, Tony has an idea – become a producer of a bogus science fiction movie and, scouting a location in Iran, get the Americans out.
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The Last Apes film sparked the fake movie idea |
Although we see clips of hangings and executions in Iran, there's hardly a vibe of impending danger or threat. While the clever aspects, mixing a fake press conference for the sci-fi flick with Iranians making real demands, are edited nicely, the movie-making scheme, which had so much potential, feels rushed. And Affleck himself lacks the edge of a central character, much less a heroic one.
The best part is the last half hour as the seven (including Mendez), using fake passports as a Canadian production crew, move through an Iranian airport for the departing plane. Despite every “last minute” cliché thrown in the pot, as least there's SOME urgency. But with a lack of interesting or involving characters leading to the escape, ARGO falls short of the immense hype.
Labels:
2012,
alan arkin,
ben affleck,
biopic,
john goodman,
tate donovan,
thriller
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i think ben affleck is film poison. especially as a leading guy, i think he's just too dull to carry a movie on his own. i haven't seen any of the films he's directed though.
ReplyDeletegreat review.
the other movie he directed, THE TOWN, in my opinion, is also overrated. it's not bad, but ben's directing is kinda dull and cliche...
Deletei agree H. thank you so much for posting. the true life character was Latino and perhaps a better suited actor, ethnically and otherwise, would have worked, so that Affleck could center on directing and maintaining suspense that lacked in this movie.
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