Bay's Propaganda?

Rating: 7/10 (6 March 2016)

Michael Bay is known for his high impact action films that burst at the seams with unbridled patriotism. Each paint a picture of sheer superiority for the 'red, white and blue' in its devoted battle against in surmountable odds for the good of mankind and '13 Hours' is no different. Bay's flirtation with a serious event takes time to build but when the temperature rises, so does the death count as bullets fly and explosions deal out maximum destruction. '13 Hours' has all the hallmarks of a sensational night out at the cinema and knowing of its impending release, I was unashamedly excited when the opening scenes flashed up onto the screen.
Michael Bay (Transformers, Armageddon) has been described as on odd kind of bloke, requiring his cast to go about performing unusual tasks in between scene takes and camera shots. Now I don't know if the source to these little rumours are reliable but you can get a feel for a Director's personality through the story he or she is trying to tell. The big question would have to be - Is Michael Bay disguising his production as a form of propaganda considering today's political climate? The Director has been quoted as saying that he wanted to keep the politics out of the film but politics is war and war is politics. '13 Hours' is very much in the mould of another high impact battle film, 'Black Hawk Down', and it is Ridley Scott's war epic that is referenced in Bay's movie. Whereas 'Black Hawk Down' was able to provide the audience with a repenting emotional edge, '13 Hours', although just as sombre, just as disastrous, does at times fail to connect with its targeted audience. This is not to say that Michael Bay's little foray into the world of the modern soldier is not compelling watching. The whole production is extremely well made and it immediately puts the viewer right into the highly intense atmosphere of North Africa. The acting is first class with a cast best suited for the conditions rather than having the temptation of bringing in big names that perhaps would look out of place in such a production where the action is the star of the show. Chuck Hogan's screenplay based on Mitchell Zuckoff's book, is gritty and authentic, fabricating the strained and volatile atmosphere of the situation that is so evident throughout the movie.
Based on a true event, '13 Hours' is set in the North African hotbed of Libya just after the fall of their Military ruler, General Gadaffi. Quite simply, it is the one of the most dangerous places on earth with a hotpot of warring factions trying to claim control of a country on the brink of destruction. America's presence is strong throughout the crumbling cities but intelligently keeping a low profile, hiding their existence from the dangerous warlords and gangs that are rising up from the ashes. Six men, all ex United States Military are employed as special security contractors to expertly 'babysit' diplomats and consular officials in the Libyan city of Benghazi. When the US Ambassador is captured and killed in an American complex the six hired soldiers must defend the remaining personal under their protection. All hell breaks lose as the audience is witness to total warfare in an intense battle that lasts through the night. John Krasinski, James Badge Dale and Pablo Schreiber are three of the actors cast to play these brave men. Not household names but they do all look like professional military men, beefed up to provide imposing figures as they blast the enemy to 'kingdom come'. But they do exactly what they are being paid for, which seems to be a surprise to everybody.
'13 Hours' is great to watch, there is no doubting this and it builds up nicely to a climax that is full throttle action. The film will appeal to any blood thirsty action junkie wanting their adrenalin hit but where it seems to wane is the connection that the characters don't seem to have with the audience. It seems hard at times to really feel anything for the cast, with Bay preferring to focus on the heroic deeds of these contractors. They are heroic if this is indeed what went down on this very violent night but it may be a little too 'Team America' for some viewers.