13 Hours

The film 13 Hours is directed by Michael Bay and stars John Krasinksi, James Badge Dale, Pablo Schreiber, David Denman, Dominic Fumusa, and Max Martini direct the movie 13 Hours. It is based off of the book, which is based on true events. The film goes hour by hour as the events that occurred in Benghazi unfolded.

Summary: A team of C.I.A contractors is in charge of protecting the only outpost, called the Annex, in the dangerous Benghazi. The U.S Ambassador to Libya is stationed at a compound a few miles from the Annex.  Hour by hour the events unfold which ultimately lead to the attack on the compound guarded by only a few men. The attacking militants invade the compound and the security detail take the Ambassador into the panic room where they know the militants cant get in. After trying to break into the room the militants pour gasoline on the floor of the outside room and light it on fire; the Ambassador and security detail are trapped. The men at the Annex are informed of the attack and want to go help but the Chief refuses to let them go. The team ignores the order and goes anyways; once there they find the Ambassador dead due to smoke inhalation. The team heads back to the Annex warding off the attack of the militants. The Annex team is notified that help is on the way; the militants launch a mortar strike against the Annex and two men are killed. As morning arrives a large group of vehicles arrive outside of the Annex and the team is relieved to find that they are friendly; it is the Libyan army. They gather the survivors and take them to an airbase where they send them home. Before the end credits role text appears stating that 28 Americans were rescued that day but that Libya was a failed state and a stronghold for ISIS. Day’s later Libyan civilians mourned the death of U. S. Ambassador Stevens. The CIA contractors retired and are now living in peace with their families.

Review: This movie has you on the edge of your seat from the time it starts. I think each actor played their characters, which are real people, as truthfully as possible. Michael Bay had the soldiers who experienced it in real life on set to help the actors hold their weapons properly and move around as a trained soldier would. The special effects were phenomenal and the makeup was nothing short of wonderfully gruesome. I think everyone should see this movie because it gives you a small glimpse into what American soldiers go through. This film depicts bravery, courage, sacrifice, and what it means to be a hero.