13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi

Pick any of Michael Bay's films out of a hat, and I guarantee you'll find something that is breathtakingly detailed, even though it may be remarkably harebrained. Such is often the conversation surround Bay and his coterie of blockbusters. Aside from the "Transformers" movies, Bay has built a sizable list of slam-bang action thrillers that are often misguided by the director's penchant for macho nonsense.

While "13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi" may not be an exception the rule, it stands as an example of what happens when the director, who usually spends a great deal designing his sequences in pre-production, is forced to work on his feet. No matter how you feel about the real-life events that took place in Benghazi, this recounting ends up being more shocking than heroic. For once, Bay's digital chaos is focused in on watching the weight of violence rip human bodies to shreds, and it doesn't feel at all triumphant.

A brief rundown of history: It's Libya in 2012, and the political climate is tense after the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. Most, if not all, of the foreign consulates start to close up shop after local factions of soldiers scramble to take hold over their respective areas by force. On the night of September 11, US Ambassador Chris Stephens and the compound in which he is staying is invaded by heavily-armed locals. After the fall of that compound, the locals focus their ire on another U.S. military outpost, titled "The Annex," which houses a group of CIA employees and a small team of contractors to protect them. With reinforcements still too far away to help, the crack team of red-blooded ex-military contractors is the last line of defense against local invaders.

"13 Hours" is a prime example of the power that a 4K UHD upgrade can do for a film that's so specifically detailed. Bay worked with Cinematographer Dione Beebe ("Miami Vice") to develop a visual palette that's sharp and rich no matter the setting. Sweaty beards, bright orange fires, close-ups of dirty pores; this movie has it all. Even though the film was finished at 2K, this 4K release incorporates Dolby Vision technology that does wonders in highlighting dark blacks and vibrant bright colors with an incredible degree of contrast. Plus, the Dolby Atmos soundtrack perfectly shows off Bay's dedication to creating a soundscape that will bombard the viewer until they're tired. Specific events like an RPG whizzing and bouncing off a pylon are indicative of Bay's touch, and sound incredible when played on a good audio system. Hell, I'm sure it'll sound great with lower-grade equipment, too.

As for special features, the new "13 Hours" Blu-ray carries over the supplements from its original release and not much else. The bright side here is the feature titled "Preparing for Battle: Behind the Scenes of '13 Hours' " is an incredible look at Bay's process on set. Pick this one up if you're a fan of Michael Bay's films or are looking for an action thriller that understands the destructive nature of violence. Other special features include:

� "For the Record: Finding the Truth Amid the Noise"
� "Uncovering Benghazi's Secret Soldiers"
� "Operation: 13 Hours Premiere"
� "In Memoriam"

"13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi"
4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and Digital Copy
$25.99
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6317790825