13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

"I saw Michael Bay’s latest film and I did not hate it. Choosing to leave aside key political considerations - the timing of this film depicting controversial events that have dogged a frontrunning presidential candidate and its accuracy in doing so - helps, with the results being predictably jingoistic, but still an intense watch. Yes, it’s basically a big screen Call of Duty once the gunplay commences, as a few highly-skilled and heavily-armed US military contractors do their utmost to repel waves of Islamic militants during one night in chaotic post-Gaddafi Libya."

"A nail-biter and a head-scratcher rolled into one..."

"The final word on this incident will require a more thoughtful filmmaker. But hopefully, that artist will possess at least half of Bay’s punishing, peerless craft."

"The movie is a pummeling slog - 45 minutes of setup and an eternity of relentless combat."

"Abhorrent politics aside, it’s also a terrible movie."

"There’s nothing wrong with a movie that cheers American heroes. But this one does so by reducing everything else to cardboard."

"The film wants us to feel, as one of the men they protect says, "I'm proud to know Americans like you," but we're never really given the opportunity."

"It's all so hateful. Hates women. Hates talking. Hates tact. Loves guns."

"He gets you there, but you know the ride could have been a lot more varied and nuanced."

"There’s a real story of American heroism somewhere in here, but it’s diluted by Bay’s worst tendencies."

"Bay squanders the potential to explore the nuances of a politically sensitive issue and instead descends into a gruesome display of war porn."