Solid war flick with less Bay-isms than expected.

Rating: 7/10 (27 February 2016)

Don't be dissuaded by the fact that this is a Michael Bay film; the usually bombastic blockbuster director shows a relative level of restraint and integrity in his execution of this intense modern war tale. Sure, there are explosions, slow motion shots and chest-thumping moments of heroism, but unlike his increasingly egregious directorial flourishes in the Transformers series, here they are comparatively controlled and organic. Bay's propensity for overlong runtimes results in a repetitiveness that dampens the third act's power, however he executes the gun battles with enough ferocity and immediacy to maintain the immersion. Chuck Hogan's screenplay – adapted from Mitchell Zuckoff's novel – doesn't bring anything new to the genre, yet he adeptly avoids clichés through grounded characters and authentic interactions. A little less finger pointing would've been great though. Akin to Peter Berg's Lone Survivor, this Libyan-set true story relies heavily on the core group's chemistry and relatability to elevate the simple premise into a more affecting and interesting combat picture. James Badge Dale and John Krasinski lead the pack as long-time mates who miss their families but love their job, both bringing emotional heft and sincerity to roles which also required bulked-up physical transformations. The other notable cast member is Pablo Schreiber (of Orange is the New Black fame), who imbues his team joker with a surprising amount of depth and gravitas whilst also delivering most of the movie's levity. It's not in the same league as the great motion pictures depicting war, nevertheless 13 Hours is a kinetic, adrenaline-pumping and compelling yarn that offers a solid cinematic viewing experience.