Best Picture Award? Really?

Rating: 5/10 (27 February 2013)

Okay, before I start this review, I understand that this film was "based off of a true story", even though the writer and filmmakers took certain liberties. So maybe some of my complaints are because of those specific reasons in "being true to the actual events". But regardless, I was very disappointed with this film.
PROS: Beautifully shot, edited, and directed. Casting was great. The set design and time period was great as well. That's where all of my 5 stars go to.
CONS: Story. Here's why:
I loved how this film started. It was intense. It got me into the story and the build up was great. But as soon as Ben Affleck goes to rescue these people, it immediately became terrible. Maybe since it was a rescue mission, I was expecting action sequences and just pure intensity the entire time as Affleck shepherds these 6 people back home.
But instead, I was treated with a snooze fest. First off, these Irani's are hell bent on finding these 6 missing people. So you mean to tell me that when they go to the airport, Security isn't going to put 2 and 2 together and say, "Hey, 6 white people just went missing from the Embassy and we have 6 white people here whom we are very suspicious of since their documents don't really add up." But instead, they let them go! Come on now. They couldn't be that dumb.
So then we get to them getting on the plane. While you have Security finally finding out the truth. So they go and try to stop them. So while Ben and everyone are safe in the plane, Security are in their trucks and police cars following the plane on the runway. One of them pulls out an AK-47 and aims at the wheel. He had the perfect chance to shoot the plane down and stop them. I was anxiously waiting for that. I wanted some struggle to happen. But instead, he decided not to fire and the plane took off.
So then I'm left thinking, "Okay. Maybe something will happen on the plane. Maybe somehow, someway, there will be some kind of struggle since all of this build up before was for nothing." Nope. Nothing happens. They all lived happily ever after.
What's even worse is there's absolutely no character development from Affleck's character at all. Sure, he's a phenomenal actor and his acting is superb. But there's no growth. There's no change. He's just standard the entire time.
In all honesty, and this may sound mean, but I think Argo won Best Picture because the Academy wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt since it got snagged at The Golden Globes and people were complaining. Plus, since "Life of Pi" won most of the Oscars, people would have been in uproar if it won Best Picture (which it deserved).
In conclusion, I love Affleck and his directing, but this definitely wasn't his best film. I don't even blame him. I blame whoever wrote this.