13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016), R, ★★★

Jim Halpert becomes a soldier. 

Nobody wants to relive the horrific days of 9/11. It was truly a tragic interference with everyday life that everybody was occupying while working and hanging out with colleagues and friends. Therefore, it is ironic for American troops to conceive a plan about 10 years later defending an American compound against Islamic terrorists. But, in the hands of Michael Bay, I was expecting a boring and dragged-out version of Black Hawk Down that does not have any spirit or seemingly has patriotic themes. There's a bit of dragged-out disorganization in the first half, and with some technically-staged discipline with its action sequences and respects to its soldiers, this is a solid film from one of the most detested directors in my opinion.

In 2012, Benghazi is one of the most dangerous places and countries have pulled out of their embassies from Libya from preventing massive chaos in their compounds. The United States keeps a Consulate, off the books, that is protected by six CIA security guards, formerly, Special Forces contractors. Tyrone S. "Rone" Woods (James Badge Dale) recruits a personal friend, Jack Da Silva (John Krasinski). Arriving at the Annex, he is introduced to other soldiers at the Consulate and is given strict orders to never engage any emotions or connections with Libyan citizens to avoid a possible militia in the area.

The U.S. Ambassador to Libya J. Christopher Stevens (Matt Letscher) arrives to Benghazi to give a speech to reassure peace. He is a mile away from the Annex in which the CIA guards are staying at. The Annex team serves as a driving and backup security team. Into the night, a group of Islamic militants break into the compound. One of the guards gets Stevens to safety but loses two of the guards. The team back at the Annex are desperately called to the compound to help, but the chief refuses saying that it can bring a possible altercation back at their base. The team does what they can to fight to defend the American compound.

It's time to kick butt. 

This movie, given the director's name at the helm in the middle of the trailer, was providing me some skepticism because I have no idea what Bay could present. Is he going to insert some misogynistic shots of women? There's none of that. But there's seemingly some Top Gun-like scenes in which Bay tries to pay a tribute but it's basically the actors showcasing us how much they worked out when they showed us the muscles. It's arbitrary and unnecessary. There's a bunch of clunky editing with its storytelling in the first half and the second half, even though it has a lot of camera-shaking and typical explosions, on a whole, it's technically well-made as an action and war film.

James Badge Dale does not provide as much gravitas or depth into his character as he is titled as the leader but does not do any disservice to the soldier he is portraying. But, somehow he and a few people look so much alike with the same measure of beard and facial hair. However, John Krasinski impressed me as he provides some depth and naturalness in his character as he is both struggling with doing his duty during the Benghazi attack and also dealing with his wife being pregnant. He has to survive.

But, in the end, it is Michael Bay's movie. Even though he has made some truly awful movies like Transformers sequels, Bad Boys movies, Pain & Gain. Although, his best movie has been The Rock, which is 20 years ago. This is one of his best movies but it's not saying much as it is a solid B-war film providing some heft with the action sequences and technical set pieces. However, his self-indulgent directing got in the way sometimes and his narrative storytelling in the first hour got a little clumsy. But, I'll give him a pass as this movie is a skilled entertainment from the technical level and action level. So, Mr. Bay, this is the first movie I have liked from you in a while. Congrats!

***