John Krasinski looks very different in this new photo from 13 Hours

13 HOURS will hit theaters on January 15, 2016.

The movie is set before and during the 2012 incident, when Islamic militants attacked the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi. And the nicest thing I can say about “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” is that it’s far from Bay’s most over-the-top or offensive film.

A GOP-led house committee investigating the September 11, 2012, attack that left Christopher Stevens, the USA ambassador to Libya, and three other Americans dead, concluded in November 2014 there was “no evidence that there was either a stand down order or a denial of available air support”.

“There never was a stand-down order”, the officer – the former chief of the so-called Annex who identified himself as “Bob” – told the Washington Post.

Needless to say, they’re not comparing their experiences to those of the real soldiers. “The CIA spokesman’s comments are predictable but not remotely credible”.

It’s worth noting that Bay’s always been slavishly devoted to America’s public servants, from the Miami cops of Bad Boys to the NASA team of Armageddon (aided by private oil drillers, sure) to the US military (the stars of Pearl Harbor and the Transformers series). (The interview has been edited for length and clarity).

Zuckoff, who teaches journalism at Boston University, said he wasn’t surprised that the movie has sparked political discussion.

Bay: How is it not political? I knew there was an attack on the embassy in Benghazi and that the Ambassador was killed. 13 Hours presents itself as a straightforward war film, but that’s the last thing a subject this complex needed. After making it back to the Annex building and holding up for backup, the small US defense must hold off wave after wave of terrorists, each time coming back with more men or more powerful weapons and explosives.

AP: Who do you think was to blame for what happened? For this attempt and for, sadly so, being an entertaining journey, 13 Hours is a must see. “I met with the Central Intelligence Agency on this movie and I show the whole situation”. It’s an F16 flight, its 50 minutes – flight time overhead is 30 minutes. I’m not pointing fingers, I’m just giving the facts, I’m showing what was out there. When you see that quality in him, it’s pretty relatable. A true story, as we all know, which appears to be told authentically. And this is a classic nightmare story. It felt like you were watching this terrible nightmare unfold before your eyes.

Films about modern American military engagements often follow the same model of trying to graft heroic narratives onto stories about failure. The movie is based on the eyewitness testimony of men and women who lived through the horrific ordeal. Hillary Clinton’s name is never uttered, and the owner of the blame for the sorry state of security is never specified. “It’s an inspirational movie, even though it’s tragic”. I was telling their story on the ground from these guys’ point of view. Terrific ensemble acting. Great sound track and incredible cinematography which pulls you into the action and does not let you go.

But we have Bay at the helm and I’m just thankful none of the tanks or jeeps talked and smashed against each other on the streets of Benghazi. I’m a news junkie.