Synopsis
“13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi”, a movie directed by Michael Bay, portrays the war action drama of the 2012 Benghazi attack in Libya. The movie is based on the book, “13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi” by Mitchell Zuckoff. He wrote it in coordination with the members of the security team that defended the U.S. diplomatic and CIA compounds during the attack.
The story takes place in Libya in 2012, after the reign of Gaddafi. The movie showcases a security team of ex-military contractors assigned to a covert CIA annex in Benghazi. These men, called the Global Response Staff, find themselves in the middle of a fierce 13-hour battle between Islamic extremists and American forces.
The film opens with the arrival of Jack Silva (John Krasinski), a former Navy SEAL, who comes to Benghazi to join the GRS team. Silva meets up with his friend, contractor, and team leader Tyrone “Rone” Woods (James Badge Dale). Other team members are Mark “Oz” Geist (Max Martini), Kris “Tanto” Paronto (Pablo Schreiber), John “Tig” Tiegen (Dominic Fumusa), and Dave “Boon” Benton (David Denman). Although these men are experts in the fields of combat and security and operate as a tight unit, they are bound by a complicated set of engagement rules because of the CIA’s covert activities.
Benghazi is depicted as a hotbed of violence, anti-American sentiment, and a hub of political and militia group activity. The 11th anniversary of 9-11 is approaching, and with it comes the worry of violence and diplomatic unrest. J. Christopher Stevens, the U.S. ambassador to Libya played by Matt Letscher, is visiting to re-establish relations and promote diplomacy in the area. He is staying at a temporary, weakly protected, and poorly defended diplomatic compound which the film refers to as “the Special Mission.”
On the September 11, 2012 date, the compound is breached by encroaching, heavily armed militants. The ambassador and an American named Sean Smith are killed during the assault. The CIA annex is also under attack, and the GRS team that is stationed there comes under fire as well. CIA chief Bob, played by David Costabile, instructs the GRS team to stand down, but ignores these orders and drives to the diplomatic compound to try and rescue personnel.
From now on, the movie depicts an unyielding depiction of the six contractors defending the annex during the 13-hour gunfight. During the fight, the contractors had to defend the annex without much help. They had to maintain a siege mentality as they under fire from tripoli while distant NATO allies offered no help. Commanding the $2 billion complex like a general, the team improvised in preventing close-quarters mop up battles. They saved as many lives as possible while abiding to a strict triage system under extreme conditions.
The pre-emptive strike woods undertook to deny the contractors from bringing help in the morning would later cost him his life. After the death of his backup bud from tripoli under synchronized fire, the remote flying Americans would leave without capturing a single target. Terribly wounded both mentally and physically, the team receives full honors during the landing. The show ends.
Casts and Crew
Director:
Bay’s blown all of Hollywood’s budgets on movies like transformers, and pearl harbor. Brought to the whole world’s attention, he took a more grounded tone to the conflict unlike his blockbusters, and thus, this movie delights with authenticity and respect, while remaining sympathetic to the cost of conflict.
Screenwriter:
Chuck Hogan – While Zuckoff’s work is non-fiction, Hogan’s script is tight and emotionally engaging because he tells the story of the GRS team’s camaraderie and the many ethical dilemmas they face during their work.
Producers:
Erwin Stoff, Michael Bay, & Paramount Pictures.
Main Cast:
John Krasinski as Jack Silva
Krasinski, regarded as a comedian from The Office, underwent significant physical adjustments to play Silva. His nuanced portrayal of the character revealed Silva’s emotional and loyal struggle to uphold harsh family values while tryhing to prioritize the wellbeing of his family.
James Badge Dale as Tyrone “Rone” Woods
Dale’s performance as the team’s leader is commanding and charismatic. While he leads, Rone is depicted as brave, rational, and show high protective instincts towards his men.
Pablo Schreiber as Kris “Tanto” Paronto
Schreiber’s portrayal of Tanto is energetic and intense. While he is a fierce and committed defender during the siege, he also provides light humor early that is often absent during the rest of the film.
Max Martini as Mark “Oz” Geist
Martini depicts Oz as the archetypal veteran, steely and resolute. He also bears the mark of having been severely injured during the actual battle, a fact the film’s final act showcase.
David Denman as Dave “Boon” Benton and Dominic Fumusa as John “Tig” Tiegen
Both enrich and ground the team’s interactions as they portray soldiers whose bravery and discipline are put to the test in the most harrowing circumstances.
David Costabile as “Bob”
The CIA chief who has conflict with the GRS team. His reluctance to authorize the use of military force escalates the film’s conflict and critique.
IMDb Ratings & Reviews
The film has received a rating of 7.3/10 on IMDb, indicating that it was well received by most viewers. It was criticized for its perceived lack of political context, or wider framing, but was praised for its action realism, acting, and fidelity to the source material.
Positive Reviews:
Michael Bay was notably praised for the combat action sequences, which were chaotic in nature. They were not chaotic in the sense of being mindless, but were visceral and suspenseful while not romanticizing violence.
Character Focus: In contrast to many war films, this one centers on the personal narratives, bonds, and sacrifices of the GRS operators.
Performances: Reviewers praised the entire cast, and especially John Krasinski and Dale, for portraying the characters with depth, even though the roles were written in a way that made them appear shallow.
Criticism:
Lack of Political Context: Some critics feel the film ignored more important questions such as America’s foreign policy problems, intelligence blunders, or the political fallout that occurred after the Benghazi incident.
One-sided Portrayal: Others focused on the film’s lack of attention on local nuances in Libya, instead, choosing to focus on the film’s gushing praise of the film’s contractors.
Runtime and Pacing: A handful of viewers noted that the film’s 144 minute duration made it feel overly lengthy, particularly the slow windup to the action.
Regardless, their praise of the film’s tribute to the its subjects, the political statement was of secondary importance in their eyes.
Conclusion
“13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” is an action-packed and emotionally rated war film, depicting the story of courage under fire. The film highlights one of the most controversial events in America’s history, its focus is on the soldiers and their actions, deliberately avoiding the politics. It captures the ferocity of warfare while honoring the men who, against all odds, fought to save lives.
Due to the unflinching pacing, compelling performances, and Bay’s immersive direction, 13 Hours is both an action thriller and a war drama at the same time. Regardless of the political decisions and blunders, the film highlights the sheer human cost of the conflicts, serving as a tribute to the sacrifices made by the frontline soldiers.
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