Surprisingly good

Rating: 7/10 (23 January 2017)

Libya, 2012. At an unofficial CIA base in Benghazi a group of ex- military contractors are providing security. In the aftermath of Gaddafi's downfall a power vacuum exists and the climate is volatile. Military weapons are freely available. The US Ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, makes a visit to the area, staying in a compound near the CIA base. On the night of 11 September, 2012, the Ambassador's compound is attacked by hordes of heavily armed locals. The only forces willing and able to defend it are six CIA contractors.
Before seeing it, I was very skeptical about this movie. It clearly starts at a disadvantage, being directed by Michael Bay, he of the explosion-centric, all style no substance plots. Plus the timing seemed very suspicious, being released in a US election year, with Hillary Clinton running for President and the Benghazi attack being a controversial mark on her record as Secretary of State. So the movie seemed to have a political agenda.
Thankfully my fears were unfounded and the movie is surprisingly good and apolitical. Well told, with a good build up, giving the main characters some depth and setting the scene well. When the action starts it is not all unrealistic heroics but fairly plausible battle scenes. There is a degree of overuse of pyrotechnics by Michael Bay, but it wouldn't be a Michael Bay movie without it.
Quite compelling viewing, from a point, as the battle gets tenser and tenser and the odds greater.
Solid performances too.
Easily the best Michael Bay movie, though not that this says much.