13 Hours: The Siege of Benghazi (2016)

IMDb

Trailer

Since I've been called out maybe three or seven dozen times now for being a shallow person who just lives for Michael Bay's kitschy style—hey, since we're all buddies here—I figured I'd do the guy a little plug... you know, be a pal. Anyway, he’s got a new flick. I honestly had no clue he was even directing anything because I just assumed he was busy filming some Transit nonsense or counting cash at a mansion somewhere in Hollywood, but apparently, I was wrong. This time it's not some Transit garbage; it's an actual story about a group of US Army Special Forces trying to pull an American ambassador out of besieged Libya, giving them—as the title suggests—13 Hours to get it done. The movie definitely has the scent and flavor of Bay's previous stuff (the visuals, the camera work—look, if you love it, you love it, and if you don't, just don't watch it...) but it looks like he actually managed to make something gripping, watchable, and tense this time around. Not exactly a shocker, really, because when he steps away from that Transit crap, he can actually whip up a fun movie (like Pain & Gain). Early reactions are more than positive (surprise, surprise) and people are already comparing it to Black Hawk Down—not as a dig, but as praise for having a solid story. Whether it holds up or not, we'll see... The main roles are filled by a solid supporting cast, nothing too mainstream, but we've got James Badge Dale and Toby Stephens.

briskhound2 said:

IMDb

Trailer

Since I've been called out maybe three or seven dozen times now for being a shallow person who just lives for Michael Bay's kitschy style—hey, since we're all buddies here—I figured I'd do the guy a little plug... you know, be a pal. Anyway, he’s got a new flick. I honestly had no clue he was even directing anything because I just assumed he was busy filming some Transit nonsense or counting cash at a mansion somewhere in Hollywood, but apparently, I was wrong. This time it's not some Transit garbage; it's an actual story about a group of US Army Special Forces trying to pull an American ambassador out of besieged Libya, giving them—as the title suggests—13 Hours to get it done. The movie definitely has the scent and flavor of Bay's previous stuff (the visuals, the camera work—look, if you love it, you love it, and if you don't, just don't watch it...) but it looks like he actually managed to make something gripping, watchable, and tense this time around. Not exactly a shocker, really, because when he steps away from that Transit crap, he can actually whip up a fun movie (like Pain & Gain). Early reactions are more than positive (surprise, surprise) and people are already comparing it to Black Hawk Down—not as a dig, but as praise for having a solid story. Whether it holds up or not, we'll see... The main roles are filled by a solid supporting cast, nothing too mainstream, but we've got James Badge Dale and Toby Stephens.

Comparing it to BHD is definitely a compliment 👍

When is this hitting the torrents? Though, honestly, it might actually be worth seeing in a theater. 🙂

One thing is already glaringly obvious from the trailer, and honestly, it’s enough to make me skip this one entirely—the dialogue. We're talking dialogue that feels like it was ripped straight out of some old-school, cheesy war propaganda flicks. It's all big words and over-the-top gestures with zero actual reality behind them. Instead of characters actually talking to each other, they just spit out scripted clichés. That kind of stuff kills any movie for me. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with stylized writing in general, but you've got to have a sense of balance and know when to use it, especially during those key strategic moments in the story. I really hope I'm wrong here, but I've got a bad feeling I'm not... As for comparing it to Black Hawk Down? From what I can see, those two movies don't have anything in common besides the shared theme of military operations. They probably only made that comparison because the scenes look similar at first glance, and the cinematography definitely leans heavily on the Black Hawk Down vibe.

I enjoy Bay's movies; they aren't exactly masterpieces, but they're a blast to watch. This one really hits on themes I'm interested in, so I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy it.

Is this anything like American Sniper? 🤔
Just with more guys in the mix. 🍿

Is this just more proof that if you actually give Bay the reins, he can put together a seriously solid movie? 🙂

We shall see.

Since they were filming bits and pieces right on my street, I'll definitely have to check it out and see how it turned out...

Pasmater, when Bay hits the mark, he really nails it. This one's solid—honestly, I think it actually beats Black Hawk Down for me. The pacing, the action, the way he captures that pure sense of chaos... it all works. Even if the camera wanders off a bit here and there—you know how it is—the vibe stays mostly grounded and easy to follow. It doesn't go out of its way to point fingers at who did what, which gives the whole thing a bit of an Alamo or Heat feel...

13 Hours: The Siege of Benghazi is actually pretty solid. I mean, look at Michael Bay—he just does whatever he wants.

If there had been a little less talking in the movie, it might have even been better. It’s easier to follow than Black Hawk Down, but honestly, I still think the latter is the superior film.

briskhound2 said:Pasmater, when Bay hits the mark, he really nails it. This one's solid—honestly, I think it actually beats Black Hawk Down for me. The pacing, the action, the way he captures that pure sense of chaos... it all works. Even if the camera wanders off a bit here and there—you know how it is—the vibe stays mostly grounded and easy to follow. It doesn't go out of its way to point fingers at who did what, which gives the whole thing a bit of an Alamo or Heat feel...

Doesn't matter—everyone knows it was Hillary, hence Killary. ☕

Maybe it’s fine, I guess—but using a tragedy you personally helped cook up in Libya to fuel a summer blockbuster? That’s just low. 🤦

Since I happen to know a thing or two about how Libya ended up in its current state, I honestly can't bring myself to watch this without laughing.

Black Hawk Down is way better, but this one definitely gives off those same vibes. It’s a solid, decent flick from Bay—finally, he actually nailed something.

I actually really enjoyed the movie; I’ve always been a fan of this kind of subject matter.

SPOILERS FOR GOLF 2

There's one massive logic gap that absolutely ruined the movie for me. It's that scene where they get absolutely hammered by those mortars. Seriously, why didn't the attackers—for lack of a better term—just use mortars from the jump? Or any other heavy hardware they could've easily picked up or snatched at the market at the start of the film? Instead of leveling the fortification right away, they just waste lives playing target practice and relying on those ridiculous car bombs and other stupid tactics.

It just took them a while to realize who they were actually fighting. They had no clue who they were stepping up against. It’s not exactly easy for a mob of untrained civilians to take down a fortified bunker filled with soldiers who live and breathe war every single day.

The movie is decent enough, but honestly, it doesn't hold a candle to Black Hawk Down.

Tyler Nguyen2 said:SPOILERS FOR GOLF 2

There's one massive logic gap that absolutely ruined the movie for me. It's that scene where they get absolutely hammered by those mortars. Seriously, why didn't the attackers—for lack of a better term—just use mortars from the jump? Or any other heavy hardware they could've easily picked up or snatched at the market at the start of the film? Instead of leveling the fortification right away, they just waste lives playing target practice and relying on those ridiculous car bombs and other stupid tactics.

You know, I felt the same way about the mortars. It didn't sit right with me at all. Especially when they were tearing them apart with them, and then, the moment one of the Marines goes down, the attacks just... stop. Talk about impeccable timing.

And by the way, those local guys who supposedly showed up to help... how is it that they only decided to make an appearance once everything was already over?

goldenhound32 said:You know, I felt the same way about the mortars. It didn't sit right with me at all. Especially when they were tearing them apart with them, and then, the moment one of the Marines goes down, the attacks just... stop. Talk about impeccable timing.

And by the way, those local guys who supposedly showed up to help... how is it that they only decided to make an appearance once everything was already over?

Two people died. There’s even a part where one of the characters brings up the possibility that someone leaked their location, but that whole thing stays pretty unresolved—kind of like how the Ambassador's body ended up at the hospital, or who actually carried him out of the house...

And btw, those local guys who showed up to help them... why did they wait until everything was basically over to roll up?

Actually, they didn't. They arrived, and then that final mortar attack kicked off. Once that was over, everyone cleared out of the base fast because they were terrified another one was coming. Also, from what I've read, there wasn't any delay in getting to the embassy—the CIA chief didn't betray them or anything, and the cars moved out immediately after the call for help went through. That bit was mostly added just for the drama... though some of the crazy stuff is actually true, like that scene where they're being hunted down the road and someone drives a burning car straight into the base.

Setting politics aside, I actually enjoyed the movie. Finally, a war film that feels grounded...

Tyler Nguyen2 said:SPOILERS FOR GOLF 2

There's one massive logic gap that absolutely ruined the movie for me. It's that scene where they get absolutely hammered by those mortars. Seriously, why didn't the attackers—for lack of a better term—just use mortars from the jump? Or any other heavy hardware they could've easily picked up or snatched at the market at the start of the film? Instead of leveling the fortification right away, they just waste lives playing target practice and relying on those ridiculous car bombs and other stupid tactics.

Maybe because their mortar ammo was limited? Or perhaps they had zero intel on the base they were hitting and assumed it would be just like the first one? Or maybe it's simply because we're looking at an armed mob rather than a disciplined military force...

Tyler Nguyen2 said:SPOILERS FOR GOLF 2

There's one massive logic gap that absolutely ruined the movie for me. It's that scene where they get absolutely hammered by those mortars. Seriously, why didn't the attackers—for lack of a better term—just use mortars from the jump? Or any other heavy hardware they could've easily picked up or snatched at the market at the start of the film? Instead of leveling the fortification right away, they just waste lives playing target practice and relying on those ridiculous car bombs and other stupid tactics.

If I remember that scene right, there were only maybe 3 or 4 mines used alongside the mortar (which doesn't really prove much, I guess...)
Since we're talking about a ragtag group, their aim seemed almost too precise for my liking...
Keep in mind, since Muammar Gaddafi had only just started drawing lines for a "modern" Libya, the borders back then were basically just coast-to-coast, and deep inland, everyone just did whatever they wanted. It’s likely that outside the urban areas, those ancient tribal structures were still very much in charge.
That tribal setup just morphed into neighborhood or street gangs taking advantage of the lawlessness and all the available weapons. The headquarters was in some house where they got ambushed, while other neighborhoods were clearly ruled by different crews. It looks like the only "common" ally the Americans had was some 17th-century style vibe... their ultimate goal was basically just looting an attractive car; forget all that ideology stuff.

The actual attack tactics are pretty predictable: a mob charging in, guys firing rifles "from the hip" without any real military training, and the peak of their tactical genius being ducking behind a pillar. They're all way too young, and that initial success with the ambassador just pumps up the euphoria....
Could they have used handheld launchers more and charged around like Bat Živojinović less?
Sure, but who's to say they even knew how to handle a launcher properly, especially when they're wielding rifles like they're nothing more than glorified sticks?
My real issue is that the attackers felt too much like "junkies from the dark days of Harlem": from their outfits to the way they moved and acted, they felt more like that than modern jihadists...
Swap the scenery and you've got an authentic version of a "raid on a police station."

Anyway, I honestly thought this would be just another one of those Steven and Dolf movies, but surprisingly, lately there's been more of these "small," underrated films that actually manage to teleport the viewer right into the scene.
Basically, they avoided the trap of big words and grand ideas, though Americans can't seem to help themselves with that stuff and pathetic shots of the flag over ruins: this time they were obsessing over paying tribute to mercenaries???