13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi ★★★½
WITHOUT a doubt, 13 Hours is Michael Bay’s best film.
While he has directed more popular and memorable films, none are as accomplished or restrained as this 2016 depiction of a little-known military engagement that occurred in Libya.
In 2012 the Middle-Eastern country was in turmoil following the fall of the dictator Gaddafi with groups of warring militia vying for power. The majority of foreign governments had removed their formal presence, except for the United States.
On September 11 of that year a visiting US Ambassador and small security detail came under siege at a small diplomatic outpost in Beghazi. One mile away at an unofficial CIA station a group of ex-military contractors were providing security for a minimal number of staff.
With full military assistance days away, the contractors convince the CIA head to let them go to the Ambassador’s aid. But the situation intensifies to a full-on armed assault on the CIA station throughout the night.
Two main things about this film. Firstly, while it has some pretensions to political commentary, it is by and large an action film. The only messages that come through the narrative are war is hell and don’t rely on help from above.
Apart from a minor attempt near the end to see things from the other side in terms of the human toll, the events unfold from the American characters.The good thing is that the stories are told with much more restraint than Bay is known for.
Secondly, despite the confusion and mayhem of battle, the audience is always aware of the general location and positioning of the characters and opposing forces. This should be basic, but when it comes to Bay movies, e.g. the Transformers series, that isn’t usually the case with the audiences’ senses being assaulted from every direction.
Little of politics. People are charter less in terms of locals Purely an action film Nice stark locations Drink beer a lot didn’t think would happen Sustained tension
Having said this, the film is particularly good and depicting the characters’ confusion during the impressively staged battle scenes, not knowing who to trust at any moment, including people watching soccer on television next door while you are in the firefight of your lives.
The battle scenes are just repetitive, building in intensity and differing techniques, the injury scenes are realistic and harrowing and the dialogue between characters is natural in the main.
John Krasinski and James Badge Dale are good as the lead military contractors but the most interesting character is the CIA station head played by the ever dependable David Costabile.
The bluray release is full of special features that examine the actual events behind the story as well as an extensive making-of reel.