Argo Review - 4 Stars

“Argo” begins with a recreation of the storming of the U.S. Embassy in Iran in 1979.  The mob captured 52 state department employees.  Six other escaped to the residence of the Canadian Ambassador.  The CIA began working on ways to get them out to freedom.  Ben Affleck plays CIA operative Tony Mendez who cooks up a cover story.  The six will take on the identities of a Canadian film crew scouting locations for a Hollywood science fiction movie named “Argo.”  The mix of Hollywood sarcasm and real gun to the head  danger  makes “Argo” one of the most tension filled thrillers of the year.  John Goodman and Alan Arkin plays the Hollywood types embracing the fake project.  Arkin gets the line, “…if I’m gonna make a fake movie, it’s gonna be a fake hit.”  Once in Iran, Affleck must deal with the frightened Americans who don’t quite trust him or his plan.  Brian Cranston—the great star of “Breaking Bad” who gets better every time I see him–inhabits the CIA officer on the ground who keeps the project from derailing.  Ben Affleck has made a mark as a director.  “Gone, Baby, Gone” and “The Town” both told great engrossing stories.  “Argo” continues that trend.  The Oscar buzz is well deserved on this well made tension filled thriller.  Does it deliver what it promises?  Great thriller based on true events.  Is it entertaining?  Rivets your attention.  Is it worth the price of admission?  Definitely.