Libya, Sept. 11, 2012. The city of Benghazi is considered one of the most dangerous in the world, requiring countries to close their embassies there. Only the United States maintains a compound headed by Ambassador Christopher Stevens, and an annex under CIA control protected by six elite soldiers. As Jack Silva joins the squad and reunites with an old friend, the Ambassador is killed in a night assault by dozens of Islamists. This is the start of a 13-hour bloody attack.

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Transformers director Michael Bay keeps trying for credibility. After the comedy Pain and Gain, put together between sequels 3 and 4 of the space robot saga, we now have 13 Hours, which was filmed between episodes 4 and 5. Do not expect subtlety: this explosive wannabe blockbuster adapted from the book by Mitchell Zuckhoff and based on true events is like a big commercial for the army. Bay again focuses on manly men, sunsets and shooting, punctuated by spectacular explosions. Beyond the pyrotechnic noise and some weak attempts at secondary plotlines – in best cliché fashion, our hero learns he’s going to be a dad before going off to fight – 13 Hours offers nothing that wasn’t already covered by Lone Survivor, Green Zone, or even many episodes of Homeland. Plus it’s 2:24 long. Thinking people will hate it.