BLU-RAY REVIEW

Argo

Featured In Issue 175, March 2013

Picture4.5
Sound5
WSR Score5
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Warner Home Video
(Catalog Number):
3000048772
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Language and some violent images
(Retail Price):
$35.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
120
(Color Type):
Color With B/W Sequences
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
Not Indicated
(Theatrical Year):
2012
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
02/19/12
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
Ben Affleck
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Chinese Language):
(Subtitles):
(Cantonese Language):
(Mandarin Language):
(Japanese Language):
(Italian Language):
(German Language):
(Portuguese Language):

Academy Award®-winning Best Picture, Argo chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis, focusing on the little-known role that the CIA and Hollywood played. 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 Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor (Garber). Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, the Canadian and American governments ask the CIA to intervene. The CIA turns to their top "exfiltration" specialist, Tony Mendez (Affleck), to come up with a plan to get the six Americans safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies. Based on a selection from the Master Of Disguise by Antonio J. Mendez and the Wired Magazine article "The Great Escape" by Joshuah Bearman. (Gary Reber)

Special features include a Feature Length Picture In Picture: Eyewitness Account (HD 02:00:22), commentary by Director Ben Affleck and Writer Chris Terrio, a Short Feature: Rescued From Tehran: We Were There (HD 16:51), Behind The Scenes: Argo: Absolute Authenticity (HD 11:19), Short Feature: Argo: The CIA And Hollywood Connection (HD 06:05), Documentary: Escape From Iran: The Hollywood Option (HD 46:34), and upfront previews. Included is the Blu-ray Disc™, the DVD, and an Ultraviolet digital copy. Argo also won Oscars® for Adapted Screenplay and Film Editing.

The 2.40:1 1080p AVC picture was photographed in Hawk Anamorphic, Super 35, Super 16, Super 8, and digital source formats. As expected, image quality is dependent on the source format. The anamorphic and Super 35 footage exhibits quality imagery, with excellent contrast and color fidelity, with deep blacks, revealing shadow delineation, accurate fleshtones, and detailed resolution. All else is of mediocre quality. The overall feel is that of a documentary, with convincing realism that puts you there. This is a powerful, dramatic story that is effectively told visually with superb creative integrity. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is nicely produced with, at times, an aggressive, enveloping soundfield presence punctuated with energized atmospherics and sound effects that are directionalized. Low-level ambiance is nicely effective, to create realistic soundscapes. The music score is a mixture of genres, with an orchestral score that carries throughout the film. Deep bass is at times strong, extending to sub-25 Hz, and provides a foundation for the other sound elements. Especially tense are the immersive crowd scenes. Dialogue consistently sounds spatially integrated and natural. This is an effective and tense sonic experience that won't disappoint. (Gary Reber)