Review of 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016) by Andrew O — 31 Jan 2016

A tense and gripping war film from Director Michael Bay which is easily his best film since The Rock.

Based on the non-fiction book by Mitchel Zuckoff telling the true story of the Battle of Benghazi. On Sept. 11, 2012, Islamic militants attack the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, killing Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and Sean Smith, an officer for the Foreign Service. Stationed less than one mile away are members of the Annex Security Team, former soldiers assigned to protect operatives and diplomats in the city. As the assault rages on, the six men engage the combatants in a fierce firefight to save the lives of the remaining Americans.

The action is stunningly recreated as bullets ping off walls & RPG's fly over head. Bays chaotic style is used to good effect here as events unfold nobody knows who is friend or enemy.

Stand out scenes include militants sneaking up on the compound in night vision and a shot following a mortar shell all the way from launcher to target.

If I had to nitpick the film is maybe a little too long and like the similar Black Hawk Down (mentioned by name in this film) more is made of one American death than hundreds of faceless enemies.

But make no mistake this is an energising and thrilling action film. It deserves to be seen and should be seen by as many people as possible as the true events it depicts need to be acknowledged.

On this evidence Bay should stick to directing people not Robots.