13 HOURS: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi   3.0***

                                                                                                                                                  

      “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” is a movie based on true events. Benghazi in Libya, is completely under the control of terrorists. No foreign embassy exists in Benghazi. The Americans had one diplomatic outpost in Benghazi. There was also a covert CIA  base nearby with primary security provided by a 6-man team of private military contractors called  GRS ( former Navy Seals, Army Commandos, etc) The GRS soldiers’  job was to protect the diplomatic outpost and the CIA base , especially whenever any American official visited Benghazi. When  America  Ambassador Chris Stevens visited Benghazi, it was up to the GRS officers to protect him subject to the command of the CIA chief officer,. However, something goes horribly wrong. The terrorists take over the diplomatic outpost, and the CIA chief delays sending the GRS team until it’s too late to rescue the Ambassador. But  it is still up to the GRS to protect everyone at the CIA compound from terrorist attacks to the best of their ability and stop the terrorists at any cost, otherwise 25 to 30 Americans will be captured and/or killed.

The best part about this film is, despite the non-stop violence & explosions, at its core, is that it’s an extremely moving drama. It is nothing like the mindless but entertaining movies, that Michael Bay has directed in the recent past. The cinematography is exquisitely frantic, in keeping with the tone of the film. The movie is fast paced, brutal, and probably the closest a civilian could ever get to warfare without being in it. Lots of language (beware those who offended by strong language), lots of blood, explosions, screaming, and intense fights. The movie from start to finish is a thrilling experience that keeps your eyes glued to the screen. The movie does a really good job at telling a war story that most people don’t know anything about even after  the Benghazi incident was reported  because all the emphasis was on the death of the Ambassador.

The film does a very good job of telling not only the primary story of the attacks through the eyes of those who fought it, but does a remarkable job of delivering the personalities of those men, and the struggles their families back home faced as well.

The film doesn’t  seek to explain the "why", it only relays the "what". It's up the viewer to  sort it all out. Why wasn’t there more security ? Why wasn't help sent?  Why was it reported so differently in America as opposed to how it actually happened?

13 Hours is a must watch for everyone who loves a well done action movie about real life heroes

Rated R for strong combat violence throughout, bloody images, and strong language.

CLARK