confusion thriller

Rating: 8/10 (22 June 2016)

Jack Silva (John Krasinski) leaves his young family to join his friend Tyrone Woods (James Badge Dale) to work as security contractors for the CIA Annex in Benghazi, Libya. Both are veterans of clandestine security and former SEAL instructors. It's the wild west awashed in weapons. CIA station chief Bob is dismissive and derisive of their security concerns. Ambassador Chris Stevens arrives to work out of a lightly defended compound. On Sept 11, 2012, tension is high. When the compound is attacked, Stevens and his men retreat to a safe room. Tyrone and his men go on a rescue mission despite Bob's "Stand Down" order.
I was concerned that this would be politically skewed one way or another. Either way would be bad. This movie mostly leaves that to the professionals. The initial American villain is the CIA station chief. This is more about these contractors and the confusion of the battlefield. The movie builds a wonderful world of threats. There is a reality to the paranoia and the first part is done very well. Most of the movie is actually after the compound takeover. Some of it blends into each other. It's hard to distinguish the players. There are loads of things getting blown up. I can accept the confusion because the actual situation was probably just as confusing. What this movie shows is the impossibility of distinguishing the good guys from the bad guys. It is the fog of war and mission impossible.