Argo Blu-ray Review

Argo's Blu-ray video presentation shines through with an impressively faithful 1080p/AVC High Definition transfer, retaining its original cinematic feel within the 2.4:1 widescreen aspect ratio. The video quality superbly balances the inclusion of stylized, grainy footage evocative of the 1970s, integrating seamlessly with the higher quality ‘new’ shots, to authentically set the film within its period without compromising on visual integrity. Details are remarkably sharp, showcasing excellent textures from the characters' prominent facial hair to the intricate clothing weaves and the vibrant backdrops, enhancing the film's realism. Despite a slight mismatch in visual style between the largely digital scene-setting shots and the film's predominant aesthetic, the presentation stays true to its goal, delivering an intentionally desaturated color scheme and a tasteful application of grungy effects for a consistent, period-appropriate look.

The Extended Edition box set maintains this high standard across both Argo's theatrical and extended cuts, delivering a consistent quality devoid of any compromise. The video retains its deliberately subdued style, augmented by strikingly desaturated colors, natural skin tones, and effective black levels, preserving a coherent and engaging visual narrative. Grain is effectively managed, ensuring a clean yet authentically textured image, with precise detail and well-defined edges contributing to a visually pleasing high definition experience. This is notwithstanding minimal ringing and the standard definition quality of archive footage, which rather than detracting, adds to the film’s historic authenticity.

Technical excellence extends to Rodrigo Prieto's cinematography, which employs a nostalgia-inducing yellow-amber hue, effectively transporting viewers to the film’s late-1970s setting. This choice enhances the narrative’s atmosphere without overshadowing the robust saturation of primary colors or the clarity of secondary hues. The moderately subdued contrast complements the overall palette, ensuring visibility and depth are maintained. Despite intentional choices affecting black levels slightly, they generally remain deep with adequate shadow detail. These factors combine to render Argo’s Blu-ray presentation not only a faithful echo of its theatrical release but a standout example of how to balance artistic intent with high-definition clarity.

The Blu-ray release of "Argo" impresses with an exceptional DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, encapsulating the thrilling and tense atmosphere of the film through a potent auditory experience. Dialogue, essential in this dialogue-driven political thriller, is crisp, coherent, and prioritized, ensuring that every word, even delivered at rapid pace, is effortlessly discernible from the front channels. The soundstage is wide and spacious, with channel separation enhancing the clarity and placing the viewer at the heart of the action. During highly suspenseful sequences, the surround sound comes alive with discrete effects and flawless panning, expertly immersing the audience in the chaos of enraged crowds and precarious escape attempts. The mix's attention to detail extends to quieter moments as well; subtle environmental sounds like distant wind or the buzz of a busy market add layers of realism, rounding out an incredibly immersive listening experience.

The soundtrack's LFE channel is effectively employed, lending substantial weight and depth to the film's more intense moments. Creative use of the low-end accentuates everything from the deep thoom of tear gas canisters to the thunderous roar of airplane engines, without ever overwhelming the dialogue or score. This careful balance maintains the narrative's clarity while significantly boosting the emotional impact of pivotal scenes. Alexandre Desplat's score, together with period-appropriate rock tracks, is given meticulous attention, demonstrating the lossless mix's dynamic range and stereo fidelity. The music enriches the tension of escape sequences as much as it enlivens the soundstage during quieter interludes, proving an indispensable element of the film's immersive audio presentation.

In essence, "Argo's" audio presentation is a finely crafted component of the Blu-ray experience, demonstrating a masterful use of DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound to create a highly engaging, believable soundscape. From the intense lows of action-packed sequences to the precise clarity of dialogues and nuanced sound effects in calmer scenes, this soundtrack superbly supports the film's potent narrative. The technical execution here is exceptional, offering a seamless blend of score, effects, and vocal clarity that draws the audience deeper into the film's thrilling storyline.

The "Argo" Blu-ray extras deliver a comprehensive and immersive dive into the historical context and making of this acclaimed thriller, making it an essential watch for both fans of the movie and history buffs alike. The standout feature, the Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Eyewitness Account, offers insightful interviews from real-life figures including Tony Mendez and former President Jimmy Carter, enriching the viewing experience by comparing on-screen action with true events. Additionally, the director's commentary by Ben Affleck and writer Chris Terrio provides fascinating production details. The featurettes delve deeper, with "Rescued from Tehran: We Were There" gathering key real-life participants for enlightening discussions, while "Absolute Authenticity" and "The CIA and Hollywood Connection" explore the film's dedication to period accuracy and the unique partnership between the CIA and Hollywood. The inclusion of "Escape from Iran: The Hollywood Option" documentary adds a valuable historical perspective, making the extras a compelling combination of entertainment, education, and authenticity.

Extras included in this disc:

Picture in Picture: Eyewitness Account: A unique feature offering interviews and insights from the actual people involved in the crisis.

Audio Commentary: Ben Affleck and Chris Terrio provide depth on the making of Argo, from conception to screen.

Rescued from Tehran: We Were There: A first-hand account from the survivors and key figures like Former President Carter.

Absolute Authenticity: Focuses on achieving an authentic 1970s feel for the movie.

The CIA and Hollywood Connection: Explores the collaboration between the CIA and Hollywood in the making of Argo.

Escape from Iran: The Hollywood Option: A 2005 documentary that commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Caper with direct testimonies.

"Argo," directed by and starring Ben Affleck, marries a remarkable true story with the taut machinations of a top-tier espionage thriller, distinguishing itself as a standout film both in Affleck's portfolio and the broader cinematic landscape of 2012. The film meticulously constructs a narrative based on actual events from the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979, focusing on the audacious CIA operation led by Tony Mendez (Affleck) to rescue six Americans under the guise of a fake movie production. This historical drama, awarded the Academy's highest honor for Best Picture, is celebrated not just for its thrilling execution but also for its unwavering commitment to detail, authenticity, and a balanced mix of tension and understated humor.

The Blu-ray release, particularly in the UK, elevates the "Argo" viewing experience by offering both the theatrical cut and an extended version which further enriches Mendez's backstory, thus adding depth to an already dense narrative. The extended cut, alongside the impeccable video and audio quality and a suite of engaging extras, positions this release as essential for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Moreover, the ensemble cast, including John Goodman and Alan Arkin, delivers with precision, each actor retreating modestly to allow the story – one of ingenuity and cunning amidst harrowing stakes – to command the spotlight. This flawless synergy between narrative and performance is complemented by Rodrigo Prieto's cinematography and William Goldenberg's editing, which merge historical footage and meticulous set designs to blur the lines between film and documentary.

Affleck's directorial prowess shines, particularly in sequences such as the tension-drenched airport finale, showcasing his expertise in pacing and suspenseful storytelling. Despite allegations of oversimplifying or Hollywoodizing events for dramatic effect, "Argo" succeeds in maintaining its grip on the audience, blending factual rigidity with the compelling needs of cinematic storytelling. It's this skillful balance that not only defines "Argo" as an exemplary piece of historical cinema but also solidifies its Blu-ray presentation as an indispensable addition to any collection, praised not just for its narrative but for its technical merits and respectful handling of a sensitive period in history.

The Warner Brothers Extended Edition Blu-ray release of "Argo" is a fitting tribute to a film that has been widely celebrated as one of the premier cinematic achievements of 2012. Despite the surprising omission of Ben Affleck in the Best Director category at the Oscars, where he instead took home a Best Picture award as a producer, "Argo" has lost none of its sheen, continuing to be recognized for its excellence. This edition does justice to the original release, featuring both cuts of the film with an impeccable video presentation. The audio experience is equally immersive, thanks to the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. Additionally, this package is enriched with a bountiful set of extras, including an additional hour of new content, an audio commentary track, a comprehensive documentary, three featurettes, and a Picture in Picture track that includes insights from President Jimmy Carter and the actual house guests of the hostage crisis, thereby rounding off what is indeed a collector's item.

"Argo" easily transcends its genre as a standard political thriller through the exceptional craft evidenced in its design and execution. Ben Affleck, alongside notable performances from John Goodman and Alan Arkin, showcases an admirable knack for weaving suspense and drama that captivates and entertains. This Extended Edition not only maintains the high-quality audiovisual standards of its predecessor but elevates the viewing experience with its inclusion of meaningful and extensive bonus features. These additions make it not just a compelling purchase for newcomers but also present a strong case for those already owning the previous release to consider upgrading.

In conclusion, the Extended Edition Blu-Ray of "Argo" is an essential acquisition for cinephiles and collectors alike, representing a pinnacle in home entertainment releases. With its superior video and audio quality, along with a treasure trove of additional content that offers expansive insights into the film's creation and historical background, it stands as a monumental offering that pays fitting homage to an exceptional film. Whether you're revisiting the tense escapades of "Argo" or experiencing its thrill for the first time, this edition promises an unparalleled home viewing experience.