(Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures)
Honoring Our Heroes
1/2
“When everything went wrong, six men did what was right.”
This quote embodies the entire premise of Michael Bay’s “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.”
Following the 2011 Libyan revolution, the United States and the CIA stationed ex-marines and American ambassadors in secret compounds to ensure the promotion of a Democratic government and protect the turbulent country of Libya.
Jack Silva, played by John Krasinski, is a family man and ex-Navy Seal with everything to lose.
He takes a contract and returns to the frontlines and meets up with an old friend, Tyrone ‘Rone” Woods, played by James Badge Dale.
As Jack begins to acclimate to Libya’s harsh heat and even more unforgiving people, he comes to find out that he and the other five men do not have much say in their missions.
Their chief officer, affectionately referred to as “Bob,” played by David Costabile, is at the end of his sentence and just wants to get out of Libya with no problems, much like his six CIA contractors.
Unfortunately, those plans get thrown to the wayside when they receive word of a U.S. Ambassador, Chris Stevens, played by Matt Letscher, coming to Libya.
Acting more as over-trained chauffeurs, the six men reach a safe house a couple of miles down the road from their compound where Ambassador Stevens will be staying.
The events that follow involve a struggle between ethical war fighting and respecting authority.
Throughout the film, the audience is on the edge of their seats waiting for all hell to break loose.
“13 Hours” is filled with suspense from high-octane car chases to deadly shootouts.
Bay does an excellent job with the cinematic side of the film.
Action lovers will have their plate full with the extravagant explosions, hectic standoffs, and constant tension.
“13 Hours” kept the entire audience hooked from start to finish.
There is not much to say about what this film did wrong.
Bay conveyed the events of the Sept. 11, 2012 attacks in Libya very well.
The film “13 Hours” was also very historically accurate and followed along with the major themes of the book, written by Mitchell Zuckoff.
Without giving too many spoilers away, this tribute did a wonderful job honoring those who lost their lives fighting for American lives on Benghazi soil.
Brotherhood, family, and faith are prevalent themes throughout and make the audience’s connection that much stronger.
I highly recommend reading the book before viewing “13 Hours.”
But if you are not much of a reader, the movie will definitely not disappoint.
REGAL RATINGS
FOUR CROWNS=EXCELLENT
THREE CROWNS=GOOD
TWO CROWNS=AVERAGE
ONE CROWN=POOR
