13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
Michael Bay is back in theaters! This time, instead of transforming robots, it’s a movie based on a real life devastating military event. Nope not “Pearl Harbor 2” 13 Hours.
The thing about these types of true life stories is that you kind of feel like you know exactly what is going to happen because of what the news reports. I was shocked at how much more there was to this story beyond all the news sound bites.
There’s a really strong sense of brotherhood among these six military men, and Michael Bay did a fantastic job of capturing the camaraderie between them. When a makeshift U.S. Embassy is under a vicious attack, these six individuals knew what had to be done and tried everything to get free to accomplish it.
If there’s one thing Michael Bay can do, it’s beautifully photographed action sequences, and he doesn’t disappoint here. These scenes are visceral and intense and because the movie is shot on digital video instead of film, there’s a real sense of a documentary feel here.
The main leads of the story, James Badge Dale and John Krasinski are fantastic here, and they share one powerfully emotional scene together.
The weakness of this movie would have to be some of the ham fisted ‘Murica’ scenes that fall a little flat and feel cheesy because they went on a little too long. They stand out because the rest of the movie is very serious and gripping.
All in all, a suspenseful, visually striking true story, that may split people down the center because of the political overtones, but a decent movie nonetheless.
Director
Michael Bay
Cast
James Badge Dale, John Krasinski
