13 Hours: The Story of Benghazi (Libya that means)

13 Hours takes you into a formerly classified CIA base located on the outskirts of Benghazi, Libya. It's a base of operations for the burgeoning illegal weapon trade that's been going on there since Ghadafi's overthrow. The CIA has some security and then has six former SEALS, Rangers, and Army veterans who go out into Benghazi with staff to protect them offsite. The U.S. Ambassador in Libya lives away from that secret compound in a former mansion with walls, but that totally lacked necessary security. He only had three security agents with him who lacked combat experience. The six former military guys examine the compound and point out the various weaknesses and the obvious fact that it is a "sniper's paradise" with limited cover. On the anniversary of 9/11 the Ambassador's compound is attacked by Libyan rebels. The compound is quickly overthrown as the paid Libyan security detail quickly bails. The limited staff are left to attempt to stay in the safe room and hold off the rebels and stay alive. That's essentially where the movie starts and the next 90 minutes (estimate) is incredible similar to the first time you saw Black Hawk Down. There is frustration with U.S. policy and it's terrible inefficiency. The failures in certain citizen's hours of need will frustrate you. You will see real heroes and men who deserve all the accolades possible for their efforts and sacrifices. Bottom Line: 8.8 out of 10. I was nothing but impressed by the cast (Jim and Roy from The Office are outstanding, as are all the veterans) and the movie doesn't condemn anyone particularly as Bay's goal was to tell the accounts of the Veterans as accurately as possible. There will be finger pointing at Hilary and other high-ranking staff, but this movie avoids most of it, though you'll wish you could murder the station chief. Go and see this in theatres because Michael Bay movies are made for the big screen.