Review of 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016) by Matthew D — 18 Aug 2018

Michael Bay attempts to direct a subtle war film riddled with gunfire and explosions.

13 Hours is easily one of Michael Bay's finest films. The trouble is that he is such a stubborn director, he cannot help but stuff explosions, fire, and bullets anywhere he can to ruin the movie. The dramatic moments actually work well, especially during the few quieter moments. Bay actually finds some neat framing shots and camera angles at times in 13 Hours. It's almost as if he attempted to direct a good film for once. I can applaud his efforts.

Additionally, the first half drags until the deadly rooftop sequences in the second half pick things up. I wish Bay could have tried just a bit harder to make a more concise effort as 13 Hours really is about 20 minutes too long.

I must mention that this is essentially a propaganda movie for not just the American army and CIA, but also a clearly Republican conspiracy film to undermine to Obama administration's war efforts. To be fair, the mistakes make during Benghazi were devastating and avoidable, but little effort is make by Bay to explain these decisions. It's all simplistic and one sided to the last. At least Bay tried to honor these brave soldiers in earnest.

The acting is pretty bare bones. I buy these actors as the characters, but they are all so underwritten and dull, you hardly even make the effort to learn their names.

In all, if you want an entertaining enough war flick from Michael Bay and all that implies, you will get what you paid for, honestly. 13 Hours is not a great film, but it does make for an engaging conflict chronicling the Libyan engagements in Benghazi. Watch at your own risk.