Review – 13 Hours: The Secret Solders of Benghazi

It is really hard to get excited for a Michael Bay movie.  For the last few years, Bay has badgered our senses and lowered our IQs with his Transformers sequels and the horrendous Pain & Gain (2013).  So when it came to 13 Hours: The Secret Solders of Benghazi, I can’t say I was too excited, as it had the potential to have the typical Bayhem of his usual films, while also being offensive, since 13 Hours is based on actual events.

13 Hours starts of 2016 with a bang.  It is a powerful, exciting, harrowing movie and the best from Michael Bay in almost a decade.

13 Hours is based on the true events of C.I.A security contractors that are sent to defend the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi after an attack by Islamic militants.

The cast, led by John Krazinski and James Badge Dale, is excellent, as everyone looks and feels like they belong on this team.  Krazinski, known mostly for his comedy work in The Office (2005-2013) and other comedy movies, gets lean and mean for this role.  It is a new side to the still relatively young actor and shows that he has a range that I didn’t think he could reach.  James Badge Dale has been doing great character work for a long time, dating back to The Departed (2006).  He’s a beast in this movie.  As the leader of this security team, he’s a man who misses his family, yet knows the job that he has to take care of.  It’s a gripping performance and hopefully one that makes him a household name.

This is the most impressive film in Bay’s filmography.  This isn’t the usual excessive explosions and ear-shattering sound effects.  Bay actually gives these actors layered characters and makes us care about them.  We want these guys to survive and we want them to get home to their families.  I will say a few don’t make, and when those characters die, I actually felt sad, which is a very rare emotion for me during a Bay movie, as the only time I’ve ever been sad while watching one of his films was because I spent $13 on a garbage movie.  Even during the shootout at the compound, Bay stops the violence and gives these guys a break, allowing them to be humans again rather than just killing machines.  It does add to the long running time, but it’s worth it, as this is the most human and emotional movie Bay has ever made.

And don’t think that the character development hurts the excitement, as there is no shortage of action.  From the moment the militants take over the U.S. Consulate, the movie is as intense and thrilling as any war movie this century.  I could hardly breath watching this movie, it was that intense.  The explosions are realistic and not comic-y like we usually see from Bay.  He builds up the tension of each scene, and then unloads a barrage of bullets that could hit any character at any time, keeping the tension up.  Bay shoots the action perfectly and really made a good looking, gritty, authentic film.

If 13 Hours is any indicator of how the 2016 movie year is going to be, I cannot wait for what is to come.  This is a fantastic movie.  This is the best directing of Michael Bay’s career and easily one of his best movies.  It is a riveting, soaring, explosive American action film that pays respects to the people who were part of the Benghazi attack.

MY RATING – 3.5/4

Did you see 13 Hours?  If so, what did you think?  Comment below, or hit me up on Twitter @kevflix or on Facebook at Kevflix.