Review of The Secret Scripture (2017) by Tjman09 — 15 Jan 2016

Michael Bay in every film he’s done has shown that he bleeds red, white, and blue, so go into this film knowing it’s very patriotic. For those who want a war film that is patriotic, action-packed, and honors its heroes stop reading, because this is the film you want to see. For those looking for a great war film, 13 Hours is an action packed film, that offers little clarity on the complex subject, and is filled with cliches. My opinion is this film came way too early, and if this film had been made in 5 to 10 years, the story would have been more fleshed out.

Michael Bay is a great director when it comes to framing and shooting action sequences, this film showcases that. The film is loaded with action and uses very effective practical effects, making every explosion feel and look real. For a war film, it has a pretty good sense of humor, which helps lighten up the mood at times, and the performances are spot on. As well the film does a great job honoring the heroes of that day, in essence, it’s a very patriotic film.

However, for those looking for a film that was going to delve into the controversial story of what happened on September 11th, 2012, and give clarity, this film doesn’t do that. In fact, the storytelling in this film is quite weak. The first act of the plot focuses too much on irrelevant subplots that dilute the film, and glosses over crucial moments, like for instance why the fighter jets in Italy didn’t come for assistance. The film ends up being, even more, confusing because the filmmakers were too afraid to offend either political party that is eagerly watching the impact of this film.

Another problem the film suffers, independent from the fear of political ramifications is the fact that the film is loaded with cliches. On top of that many of the characters, are either cliched stereotypes or underdeveloped. Even more disappointing is that the terrorist characters are weak, as the film doesn’t go in depth on who they are, or why they attack the consulate in the first place. So the true story of 6 brave heroes, becomes more of a shallow action/war film, and less a true story about these heroes.

In the end, for those who want to see this movie because it’s a true story about 6 soldiers who courageously fought to protect American lives, in hostile Libya, this film won’t disappoint. For those who want a film that tells a story that is well-crafted and easy to follow, while delving into the ever complex details, this isn’t that. This film is still very patriotic, and it seems as though that’s the biggest reason to see this movie, not to politicize, but to honor heroes, both fallen and alive. It’s truly a discretionary call on whether or not to see this film.