Argo

Name: Argo
Genre: Drama
Released: October 12, 2012
Duration: 120 min
Rating: 86

2012

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 45 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 1086 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 1086 Ratings

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Argo

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. | Release Date: October 12, 2012 | R

Summary: Based on true events, “Argo” chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis—the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades. On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, takingBased on true events, “Argo” chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis—the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades. On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, a CIA “exfiltration” specialist named Tony Mendez comes up with a risky plan to get them safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies. (Warner Bros.)… Expand

Director: Ben Affleck

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 120 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Rex Reed

Oct 9, 2012

100

Joe Neumaier

Oct 11, 2012

Argo is movie magic. Ben Affleck's third directorial outing, is an entertaining, real-life, race-the-clock thriller that nabs you at the start and never makes a wrong move. Read full review

100

Lou Lumenick

Oct 11, 2012

A blue-chip Oscar contender that's also a rousing popcorn movie, Ben Affleck's Argo offers plenty of nail-biting thrills as well as funnier scenes than you'd ever imagine possible in the grim context of the Iran hostage crisis. Read full review

Steven Rea

Oct 11, 2012

Argo's white-knuckle nail-biter of a climax takes liberties with how events played out in real life. But while Affleck and screenwriter Chris Terrio have opted to go Hollywood, it's high-class Hollywood, not the low-rent and exploitative route that the make-believe movie at the heart of this tale would have taken. Read full review

Keith Phipps

Oct 10, 2012

Only the finale threatens to undo all that hard work. Though well-done, the last act leans less on the facts of the case than on Hollywood contrivances, heightening the tension with embellishments that feel at odds with the methodical, deliberate film leading up to them. Read full review

David Edelstein

Oct 8, 2012

A marvel of cunning, an irresistible blend of cool realism and Hollywood hokum. Read full review

Richard Corliss

Sep 10, 2012

In terms of quality, though, Argo is just so-so. Read full review

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User Reviews

jehangir

Oct 12, 2012

Argo is a triumph. It has tension, sincerity, mystery, artistic responsibility, entertainment value, technical expertise, a narrative arc and a thrilling respect for the tradition of how to tell a story with minimum frills and maximum impact. It's a great footnote to history, one of the bestArgo is a triumph. It has tension, sincerity, mystery, artistic responsibility, entertainment value, technical expertise, a narrative arc and a thrilling respect for the tradition of how to tell a story with minimum frills and maximum impact. It's a great footnote to history, one of the best films of 2012 and a sure-fire contender on Oscar night.… Expand

22 of 34 users found this helpful2212

BreakingBrad

Jan 24, 2013

Argo is a brilliant and tense thriller directed by Ben Affleck, and has proven to me that after three films, Affleck may be one of the most talented directors in the current age of Hollywood. Ben Affleck has had a bumpy career with his acting, I mean he has sucked (

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

ErikTheCritic

Oct 14, 2018

With a fantastic direction and brilliant performances, "Argo" is a tense and nail-biting thriller that proves Ben Affleck is one of the greatest working directors to date.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

lasttimeisaw

Dec 5, 2012

Ben Affleck

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

BM85

Sep 15, 2019

Based on the article 'The Great Escape' by journalist Joshuah Bearman and the book 'The Master of Disguise' by former CIA agent Tony Mendez, that describes how he (with precious help), in 1980, managed to perform a very risky exfiltration of 6 american diplomats from Tehran during Iran'sBased on the article 'The Great Escape' by journalist Joshuah Bearman and the book 'The Master of Disguise' by former CIA agent Tony Mendez, that describes how he (with precious help), in 1980, managed to perform a very risky exfiltration of 6 american diplomats from Tehran during Iran's historic hostage crisis.

PROS: Ben Affleck at his best and most inspired, both as the director and as the leading actor; never loses focus from the protagonist and the 6 people he's trying to save; thrilling and suspenseful from the first minute until the last.
CONS: simplified backstory and context, without any Iranian perspective, that fails to explain what lead to the hostage crisis in the first place; it doesn't exactly give a positive image of the CIA or the US government, but gives an overly negative image of the Iranian revolutionaries, who are portrayed as both evil and inept.

"Jon Titterton: Great, so we’ll take in any prick as long as he’s got cancer?
Hamilton Jordan (President’s Chief of Staff): No, just the pricks on our side. So all our other pricks on their prick thrones know when they get thrown out on a rail they won’t get their **** spleens taken out by some camel vet in Sinai.”

“Jack O'Donnell: Carter’s **** enough bricks to build the pyramids.”

“Lester Siegel: We did suicide missions in the army that had better odds than this.”… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

firefighterr

Feb 2, 2013

It's an interesting movie and well directed. It gives you some insight as to what happened. Though I would have liked some scenes on the other embassy employees that were held hostage. The best part for me was seeing the old Swissair 747 take off.... (But that's just because I'mIt's an interesting movie and well directed. It gives you some insight as to what happened. Though I would have liked some scenes on the other embassy employees that were held hostage. The best part for me was seeing the old Swissair 747 take off.... (But that's just because I'm Swiss)........... Btw, that 747 was named Argovia (after the Kanton/State Aargau) Argo is the short version.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

daryl2345

Feb 26, 2013

"the town" was a million times better than this movie. this is the most overrated underwhelming movie i think i have ever seen. had it been nominated last year for best picture it wouldn't have had a chance. the academy needs to recognize more genres for best picture. "this is 40" isn't an"the town" was a million times better than this movie. this is the most overrated underwhelming movie i think i have ever seen. had it been nominated last year for best picture it wouldn't have had a chance. the academy needs to recognize more genres for best picture. "this is 40" isn't an instant classic, but there's more feeling put into that comedy than this drama. this belonged on lifetime, not on the big screen. i want to tell anyone who voted for this movie "argo f*** yourself."… Expand

2 of 9 users found this helpful27

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12	#12 Best Movie of 2012
18	#18 Most Discussed Movie of 2012
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