Movie Review: Argo

Based on true events, Argo chronicles the covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis.

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 (Ben Affleck) comes up with a risky plan to get them safely out of the country.

 

Based On These Books 

The Master of Disguise: My Secret Life in the CIA by Antonio J. Mendez
The Great Escape by Joshuah Bearman

My Thoughts
Dean and I went to see this movie yesterday afternoon. I chose this movie because it was based on a true story and had high ratings. I admit that I usually stick with romantic comedies, but I decided to get out of my comfort zone and watch something that might have more violence than I wanted to see.

The movie began with showing the Iranians rioting in the streets of Tehran and storming the U.S. Embassy in retaliation for our country's support of the deposed Shah. The Embassy staffers seemed to be in denial about the capabilities of the Iranians...until it was too late. The Embassy staff members were instructed to shred and burn sensitive materials in their final moments of freedom.

Six U.S. Embassy staffers went out the front door of the Embassy and were admitted to the residence of the Canadian Ambassador. This is the story about how the CIA came up with a plan to rescue these six Americans.

Tony Mendez, played by Ben Affleck, came up with an amazing idea to get the the Americans out of Iran and back to freedom. They created a fake movie with all the frills and planned to say the Americans were a Canadian film crew. This crew was in Iran to shoot some movie scenes.

There were many nail-biting scenes, but this escape was pulled off without a single shot being fired. The last ten minutes of the movie was very tense. The Iranians realized that they had made a mistake and literally chased the airplane that carried the Americans down the runway. WOW!

This movie features a real American hero who could not be recognized for many years because of national security considerations. The movie is not for children or the faint of heart, but it is based on facts and highly recommended to all who want to see what was going on behind the scenes at a crucial time in our country's history.

Favorite Quotes
Jimmy Carter: "Actions in Iran have shocked the civilized world. The Embassy had been seized and more than 60 American citizens continue to be held as hostages."
Tony Mendez: "I got an idea. They're a Canadian film crew for a science-fiction movie. I fly into Tehran, we all fly out together as film crew."
Jack O'Donnell: "This is the best bad idea we have sir..."

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

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