Action Packed Documentarian Butt Clencher

Rating: 8/10 (11 June 2016)

I'm shocked that this is a Michael Bay movie. Everything I don't like about his directorial efforts (excessive slow motion cuts, glossy over the top music video production, corny action scenes) is missing from this movie. I went in without any knowledge or expectations and came out thrilled! 13 Hours is, if anything, a mercenary take (or if you prefer, private security contractor) on Black Hawk Down, immersing us into an escalating situation between the CIA and the extremist factions of Benghazi after the death of Muammar Gaddafi.
Although there is a little corniness, as I have come to expect from modern warfare biopic action thrillers (Act of Valor) it's not distracting to me and there's only ever enough to drive up emotional investment in the lead characters, which are mostly very easy to like regardless.
The cast is a minor stroke of genius. James Badge Dale clearly enjoys portraying military characters since his lead role in The Pacific and delivers yet again. John Krasinsky makes a phenomenal change from the role he's best known for - Jim Halpert in the The Office (USA).
And Max Martini lends solid support yet again after apparently having learned to bench press bulldozers or something. But the biggest surprise and character investment of all comes down to "Tanto" portrayed by Pablo Schreiber, who was by far my favourite and had me on the edge of my seat a fair few times.
13 Hours, thanks to the writing of Chuck Hogan (The Strain) and Bay's much sharper pacing, doesn't try to glorify either the politics or the violence. It sets up a disaster in the making with dramatic precision and provides just enough light relief for you to know that things are going to go from bad to worse.
And it does raise politics, in fact, and polarises viewers, because it isn't here to take sides. It was made to tell a true life story as it happened and why. And I do love that the CIA took a boot to the arse as a result.
Very impressive. Watch it with Lone Survivor and Black Hawk Down.