As far as bucks-for-bangs goes, 13 Hours doesn’t disappoint.

…the film’s biggest draw is the action scenes. The fire fights are bloody and will get you right in the gut. No effort is spared in depicting the realities of a prolonged gun battle spread out over 13 sleepless, exhausting hours. The cinematography puts you right in the centre of the melee. Make no mistake about it. This is an immersive and visceral film.

13 Hours is not a terrible mess. In fact, it’s a film that keeps your attention alive. As the characters struggle to survive and fight back, it makes you believe in the conflict. There’s even the occasional gore and splatter. But there’s no emotional depth, none that can be taken seriously. It’s a gritty package of an action film. There’s plenty to cheer about and nothing really to reflect upon or celebrate. Save for the fact that, Bay had good intentions while making this movie based on real events.

This film fails to make you realize the seriousness of the attack, the repercussions of it or the shaking up of the world order that followed as a direct result of that assault. Every moment is reduced to exhibitionist thrill seeking and makes it all the more meaningless because of it!

The visuals, along with the well-synchronised sound design, is what keeps you hooked to the two and a half hour plus duration span.