Michael Bay Directing Benghazi Drama "13 Hours"

[Doctor Jones]

But does it take a stand somewhere? Does it say something at all?

 

[dude stannis]

But does it take a stand somewhere? Does it say something at all?

Even something like a simple "Private Military Contractors are people making a living too, not evil action movie henchmen" is a worthwhile thing to say.

 

[Doctor Jones]

It is, I just hope Bay gives some truth to it all and makes them have dimension, flaws and all.

I just keep going back to American Sniper because this is the worst case scenario.

 

[Thorne]

I think the station chief was pretty well shown as a competent man who is out of his element when things go badly, and gets the thankless job of passing on his own superiors' indecision. The scene where he rallies his people is the sort of redemption few movies give to characters like this.

I think this movie does have a message, really more than one, though it isn't grandstanding about it and sends the message in the final frames of the discarded US flag in the wrecked consulate.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Did not know that John Krasinski was in this movie until this week.

 

[Marvel]

Did not know that John Krasinski was in this movie until this week.

A character actually calls out to him, "hey, Captain America" during the film! I chuckled because I knew he was up for the part before Evans got it. Until this film, I thought casting him as Cap would be crazy. Now, I can actually see it. He was AMAZING in this movie.

My rating for the film itself: 10/10

Yes, I can't believe I rated it that high myself.

Telling this story needed to be done and done right. Amazingly, Michael Bay achieves true greatness with this effort. I'm overwhelmed because no one could have known Bay had this movie in him as a director. This is a masterful film in almost every aspect and certainly in every way that truly matters.

Maybe knowing the real life set up and cover up to these events helps elevate the appreciation of what hits the screen but the film holds up well even if a viewer is unaware of world affairs. The premeditated, brutal attack in 2012 on two United States installations in Benghazi, Libya is a dark chapter in not only the war on terror but in U.S. history in general. Expertly depicting the events surrounding those attacks with such tension and emotion is a credit to this film and those that made it. This includes the remarkable cast who each were superb in their roles.

Maybe the first act was a bit long as characters were established and maybe the over use of shaky cam early can be considered technical flaws but when a story is this well told and this well crafted, flaws like that fall quickly by the waste side.

The movie draws you in and makes you feel like you were there on that fateful night. Without getting overly political, it informs the viewer of what happened in riveting detail. It leaves the "why did this happen and who is to blame" for the viewer to decide. The courage on display and the charisma of those that serve comes across in a big way. That (along with current political consequences) is reason enough why this story needed to be told. Thank God that they did it justice.

 

[terry78]

Krasinski actually makes for a good action lead. He's known for comedy but he looks decent here.

 

[Doctor Jones]

I still think he would have been a great Cap.

And this movie is coming in at #4 this weekend. Unless there's some big new revelation that's sexy enough to hog the headlines, nobody's gonna really give a **** about this movie, regardless of quality.

 

[MadVillainy]

I saw this yesterday and I thought it was great.

It's a shame people aren't giving this a chance. This isn't a typical Bay film at all. Honestly other than a few low angle people getting out of cars, I wouldn't really know this was directed by Bay if someone didn't tell me.

The action of course was good, the characters were good, and it was tense as hell. Im really ignorant to the whole Benghazi story other than an Ambassador died (which I admit is embarrassing on my part. I follow News but I am so in the dark about this attack) Acting was solid all around. My main interest was John Krasinski in a role like this and he didn't disappoint (I still dont think he was right for Cap, but that's old news). All the other actors did really well too.
I actually thought that emotionally the movie was great. I never thought I would say this about a Bay movie (and I dont hate him like everyone else), but I got choked up at a scene [BLACKOUT]That scene where Pablo Schreiber throws up the "shaka" at the end. And he breaks down when he realized they were friendlies[/BLACKOUT]

My only complaints are: they couldve toned down the shaky cam in the beginning and the film was too long. They couldve cut out 30 minutes. The complaint that this was simplistic is kinda unfair. This is meant to be shown through the eyes of the people that were in it at the time. Obviously I wasn't there, but Im pretty sure they were more interested in surviving than worrying much about politics.

But this is good. I'll pick this up on Blu Ray. Maybe even do a double feature of this with Lone Survivor.


I dont get why people are mad at Bay for how he shows the military other than Pearl Harbor. Idk I just never have hated Bay like others. I mean I have a very mixed thoughts on his filmography, but I dont think he's this terrible guy that us fanboys make him on the internet.

It sucks that this and Pain & Gain didn't make money, because while they arent my favorites I would say they are Bay's best films.

Did not know that John Krasinski was in this movie until this week.

Yeah I dont get why they didn't play him up more in the marketing. I know he's not a box office draw yet, but he's probably the most recognizable face. But all I remember seeing is 1 trailer and he barely had any lines and he's not on the poster or anything.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Yeah I dont get why they didn't play him up more in the marketing. I know he's not a box office draw yet, but he's probably the most recognizable face. But all I remember seeing is 1 trailer and he barely had any lines and he's not on the poster or anything.

Yeah, I mean he's "Jim from the Office." Granted the Office never got high ratings, but it was a show that many people knew about.

 

[MadVillainy]

Eh the Office got pretty big ratings. Not Big Bang Theory big but I wouldnt say it never got high ratings.

But it's neither here or there because we agree about them not using Krasinski

 

[Doctor Jones]

I saw this yesterday and I thought it was great.

It's a shame people aren't giving this a chance. This isn't a typical Bay film at all. Honestly other than a few low angle people getting out of cars, I wouldn't really know this was directed by Bay if someone didn't tell me.

The action of course was good, the characters were good, and it was tense as hell. Im really ignorant to the whole Benghazi story other than an Ambassador died (which I admit is embarrassing on my part. I follow News but I am so in the dark about this attack) Acting was solid all around. My main interest was John Krasinski in a role like this and he didn't disappoint (I still dont think he was right for Cap, but that's old news). All the other actors did really well too.
I actually thought that emotionally the movie was great. I never thought I would say this about a Bay movie (and I dont hate him like everyone else), but I got choked up at a scene [BLACKOUT]That scene where Pablo Schreiber throws up the "shaka" at the end. And he breaks down when he realized they were friendlies[/BLACKOUT]

My only complaints are: they couldve toned down the shaky cam in the beginning and the film was too long. They couldve cut out 30 minutes. The complaint that this was simplistic is kinda unfair. This is meant to be shown through the eyes of the people that were in it at the time. Obviously I wasn't there, but Im pretty sure they were more interested in surviving than worrying much about politics.

But this is good. I'll pick this up on Blu Ray. Maybe even do a double feature of this with Lone Survivor.


I dont get why people are mad at Bay for how he shows the military other than Pearl Harbor. Idk I just never have hated Bay like others. I mean I have a very mixed thoughts on his filmography, but I dont think he's this terrible guy that us fanboys make him on the internet.

It sucks that this and Pain & Gain didn't make money, because while they arent my favorites I would say they are Bay's best films.


Yeah I dont get why they didn't play him up more in the marketing. I know he's not a box office draw yet, but he's probably the most recognizable face. But all I remember seeing is 1 trailer and he barely had any lines and he's not on the poster or anything.

Because it's cool to hate him. There's more of a mob mentality now more than anything. I think Movie Bob summed it up pretty well. No doubt there's legit complaints to his films which probably started out as just more of an objective discussion and I agree with some of them too but I feel like it's gotten out of hand to the point when he does do good work, it still gets overlooked. There is some level of prejudice against Bay. It's been happening more since the first TF and when the internet really has picked up steam. The movie is pretty much bad before the movie comes out. I wouldn't say that very often about movies but these days when Bay makes a great film and it's a high enough RT rating I'll be shocked. Pain and Gain is a great film. It's so Bay but it's Bay done when he's at some of his best. As is The Rock and I even love the first TF film. People seem to not be able to divorce their particular distaste for his style and just be able to look objectively when he actually makes a well crafted story.

 

[Lord]

While the only Bay film i've found to be good is The Rock (have yet to watch 13 Hours), people on the net do indeed exagerate the quality of what he does, i mean, i've seen people comparing him with Ed Wood, not realising the difference between making bad movies and making inept movies. I also see some people criticizing him for overuse of cgi, even though he's one of the few major budgeted film directors who actualy works extensively with pratical effects.

I myself don't think most of his films have been good, but his style is interesting to analyse, and i like how he spends the budgets of his films wisely.

 

[MadVillainy]

Because it's cool to hate him. There's more of a mob mentality now more than anything. I think Movie Bob summed it up pretty well. No doubt there's legit complaints to his films which probably started out as just more of an objective discussion and I agree with some of them too but I feel like it's gotten out of hand to the point when he does do good work, it still gets overlooked. There is some level of prejudice against Bay. It's been happening more since the first TF and when the internet really has picked up steam. The movie is pretty much bad before the movie comes out. I wouldn't say that very often about movies but these days when Bay makes a great film and it's a high enough RT rating I'll be shocked. Pain and Gain is a great film. It's so Bay but it's Bay done when he's at some of his best. As is The Rock and I even love the first TF film. People seem to not be able to divorce their particular distaste for his style and just be able to look objectively when he actually makes a well crafted story.

Good points.

As I said, people are overlooking a pretty cool movie because of Bay, which is really stupid.

While the only Bay film i've found to be good is The Rock (have yet to watch 13 Hours), people on the net do indeed exagerate the quality of what he does, i mean, i've seen people comparing him with Ed Wood, not realising the difference between making bad movies and making inept movies. I also see some people criticizing him for overuse of cgi, even though he's one of the few major budgeted film directors who actualy works extensively with pratical effects.

I myself don't think most of his films have been good, but his style is interesting to analyse, and i like how he spends the budgets of his films wisely.

The Rock is the one Bay movie that people say they like, but honestly I couldnt even get through it. I might try again one day

 

[warhorse78]

See, I hate this. The same thing happens to The Hurt Locker. Some people just can't accept movies where the military isn't the villains, I guess...

What did people/critics/those far up the liberal left asses take on Black Hawk Down, where the military weren't villains, or heroes?

Anyways, I can't take reviewers serious with Michael Bay, I bet you, if the same damn movie had Ridley Scott as the directore instead, it would have been praised. Critics bias against Bay is so

 

[warhorse78]

My only complaints are: they couldve toned down the shaky cam in the beginning and the film was too long. They couldve cut out 30 minutes. The complaint that this was simplistic is kinda unfair. This is meant to be shown through the eyes of the people that were in it at the time. Obviously I wasn't there, but Im pretty sure they were more interested in surviving than worrying much about politics.

I remember hearing from a soldier once before in real life, and to this day, I hear them say this all of the time, sure, they are aware of the political strifes going on in Washington that dictate their movements, but, the soldier will tell you, once that first bullet goes flying past your head, all politics and the rest of that sh***t go flying right out the damn window!

 

[TheVileOne]

What did people/critics/those far up the liberal left asses take on Black Hawk Down, where the military weren't villains, or heroes?

Anyways, I can't take reviewers serious with Michael Bay, I bet you, if the same damn movie had Ridley Scott as the directore instead, it would have been praised. Critics bias against Bay is so

It got pretty good reviews. It also got Ridley Scott a Best Director nomination.

 

[MadVillainy]

Didn't really like Black Hawk Down that much either

But it was well made technically and all that. Might rewatch it and see if my position changed.

13 Hours, Lone Suvivor, and Black Hawk Down are movies in the same vein. My personal favorite is Lone Survivor

 

[MadVillainy]

What did people/critics/those far up the liberal left asses take on Black Hawk Down, where the military weren't villains, or heroes?

Anyways, I can't take reviewers serious with Michael Bay, I bet you, if the same damn movie had Ridley Scott as the directore instead, it would have been praised. Critics bias against Bay is so

Idk

I do disagree with critics with Pain & Gain and, to a lesser extent, 13 Hours. But Bay has made some s***. I also feel that if Bay's movies were shorter they'd get less hate for critics. If youre forced to watch a movie, and youre not enjoying it, that's one thing. But if on top of that it's like 20-30 minutes longer than it needs to be...I can imagine a person being harder on that movie

But as I said, I feel like people are way too hard on Bay

 

[flickchick85]

I just don't like military movies that reduce real-world geopolitical situations to a black and white mentality and paint one side as the 3D heroes and one side as the 2D villains. A great deal of the Hollywood war movies do exactly that, imo, and just come off as jingoistic "rah, rah, 'Murica" exercises that I feel uncomfortable watching. And since Bay has never really been into subtlety and nuance in his storytelling, he seems like the type of filmmaker who would do this as well, which is why have had little interest in this movie. For those who've seen it, would you say this is pretty much the case, or no?

 

[MadVillainy]

Just curious: would you consider Saving Private Ryan as being 3D heroes, 2D villains?


But idk I feel that's a silly complaint when the movie is being told solely through the eyes of one side.

In 13 Hours do you get a nuanced look at the motives of the attackers? No. Did it make the Libyan people look bad? No. So yeah I would say that the villains weren't fully realized characters at all.

It's like 90% of other war movies from Saving Private Ryan, Letters to Iwo Jima (from what I remember), Platoon (although Platoon did show American soldiers being extremely f***ed up), Lone Survivor, etc. They're being told through one side's eyes, so you're not seeing what makes the other side tick. It's mostly just showing America doing there thing

This isn't like Pearl Harbor that had those weird Japan, wearing all black, planning scenes. This is showing a group of American former soldiers and soldiers trying to protect other Americans from getting killed. Simple as that.

 

[flickchick85]

Yeah, I don't care for any of those movies you listed except Platoon, lol. I have mixed feelings on Saving Private Ryan, but I didn't find it too jingoistic. My favorite American war movie is Three Kings, so make of that what you will.

Thanks for the answer, though. I might check this out.

 

[MadVillainy]

Yeah, I don't care for any of those movies you listed except Platoon, lol. I have mixed feelings on Saving Private Ryan, but I didn't find it too jingoistic. My favorite American war movie is Three Kings, so make of that what you will.

Thanks for the answer, though. I might check this out.

Three Kings is great. Really unappreciated. Saw it once though, can't remember specifics, but I do remember really liking it.

To answer your question: you wouldnt like this movie if you hate 3D heroes, 2D villains

 

[flickchick85]

Three Kings is great. Really unappreciated. Saw it once though, can't remember specifics, but I do remember really liking it.

To answer your question: you wouldnt like this movie if you hate 3D heroes, 2D villains

Gotcha, thanks.

 

[DA_Champion]

I'm looking forward to watching this movie.