Movie Review: Argo (4 Stars)

CHRISTIANITY TODAY
By Camerin Courtney

Argo opens with a brief history lesson about the Iranian Revolution and the United States's involvement, then cuts right to the takeover of the U.S. Embassy. It's a tidal wave of action and tension we ride pretty much until the end of the film. The mostly factual screenplay is based on portions of Mendez's book, The Master in Disguise, as well as the Wired magazine article "The Great Escape." The pacing is spot on, offering humorous moments when the tension ratchets up, but then deftly cutting to a shot of the hostages in blindfolds or in a dank basement. It's a theater of the absurd, but always with an eye on the very serious stakes. We're given personal moments with the "houseguests," tripping over each other for days on end, as well as the international scope of the incident. [link] ★★★★