Exhausting Fog of War Action Film

Rating: 4/10 (16 January 2016)

Yet another Michael Bay flick that is full of action and special effects, but light on character development. In a way it works because it shows the constant trauma and confusion of battle, relentless in a way that no one has time to think or plan ahead...the quintessential fog of war film. They made this film as apolitical as possible in order to attract a wider audience, not just conservatives who want to blame Obama and Clinton. Clearly there was never a "stand down" order from the White House...that came from the station commander at the CIA safe house, and he wanted those 6 men (ex-military contract employees) to stay & protect the safe house & NOT go to the diplomatic outpost (it never was an official embassy). Ambassador Stevens volunteered for this assignment and did NOT want a huge protective force around, so that they could be more accessible to Libyans. Even his family has verified this and doesn't blame the US government. He died of cardiac arrest brought on by intense smoke inhalation, NOT by any beatings or mutilation by terrorists. In fact, it was a group of friendly Libyans who found him & got him to a medical center where he later died...the movie is very clear on this point. This film reminds me of Black Hawk Down & Lone Survivor...disastrous military operations with bad outcomes...you see it once, but don't want to see it again.