A former Navy SEAL who wrote the bestselling The Terminal List, which has since become a hit Amazon Prime series, hit back at critics who panned the show.
Writer Jack Carr dismissed the scathing reviews after the show skyrocketed the ratings chart and garnered 1.6 billion minutes of streams — nearly reaching the top spot for America’s most-streamed show.
The exciting military novel and series follows the story of a former Navy SEAL officer who investigates his platoon’s ambush in the midst of a covert mission.
Carr has now slammed critics, saying he doesn’t think they like it because it doesn’t fit into their bright agenda.
He told FOX and Friends Tuesday, ‘There is no such thing as ‘awake’ or ‘anti-awake’.’
Carr noted that the terms “right, left, conservative [and] liberal’ are not even mentioned in The Terminal List.
“But just because there’s no ‘woke’ stuff shoved in, it’s perceived — at least by critics — as not furthering their agenda, so they’re going to hate it.”
He specifically pointed to The Daily Beast’s review of the show, in which Nick Schager said it was a “far-right revenge fantasy gone haywire” that “triggered male Red State viewers with routine references to beer, guns, country music and ‘hunting.’
“They see an American flag and get upset,” Carr said. “Or they see someone who knows guns, has a certain mindset and is holding those in power accountable for their actions, and they just lose their composure a little.”
Jack Carr, a former Navy SEAL who wrote the book The Terminal List, said critics of the show’s adaptation were upset because it lacked a wake-up message
Speaking to FOX and Friends on Tuesday, Carr criticized the American flags that have appeared on the show, noting that the flags are mostly draped over coffins
Carr specifically referenced the Daily Beast’s review of the Amazon Prime show, in which Nick Schager said it was a “far-right revenge fantasy gone haywire” that “pointed out male Red State viewers with routine clues.” Beer, guns and country music gave in, and hunt’
He went on to blast criticism of American flags appearing on the show, noting that the flags are mostly draped over coffins.
And he pointed out that critics have likened the series to a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag, in at least some of the negative reviews.
“I found it very interesting that they had to go back to the 18th century and side with the British in their reviews,” he said.
“So the critics, yeah, they’re not big fans of it.”
But, Carr said, the show wasn’t made for critics, it was made for America’s veterans.
“We really didn’t make it for critics and it mattered to me; to Chris Pratt; to Antoine Fuqua, the director; David DiGilio, the showrunner; was that we did something where we talked to the military members that have been going in depth for the last 20 years so they can sit down and watch this show and say, ‘Wow, these guys did a job and They put on a show that speaks to me.”
“And we did.”
In fact, since debuting on Amazon Prime on July 1, the show has amassed more than 1.6 billion minutes of streaming and a viewership rating of 94-95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
It’s now the second most popular show on streaming platforms, Carr noted, second only to Netflix’s Stranger Things.
The Amazon Prime show stars Chris Pratt as Lieutenant Commander James Reece investigating his platoon’s ambush in a covert mission
The show has garnered an audience rating of 94 to 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, even as critics panned it online
Carr’s comments on Tuesday follow similar statements by series star Chris Pratt, who plays Lieutenant Commander James Reece on the series.
The Guardians Of The Galaxy lead actor has made a number of posts on Instagram Stories touting the success of the series, in one instance reposting a post from Carr that read: “We didn’t make THE TERMINAL LIST for critics. We made it for the ones in the arena. You can find the article at the following link.’
Carr linked to a article with the caption: “Chris Pratt’s new Navy thriller The Terminal List defies scathing reviews from hard-hitting critics and skyrocketed at 1.6 BILLION minutes of streams.”
The Jurassic World Dominion actor also shared a shot of Mike Myers as Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers movies.
He captioned the image, “ONE POINT SIX BILLLLLLLLLLION minutes,” as figures from Nielsen show viewers watched at least 1.6 billion minutes of the thriller.
Pratt has previously responded to critics of the show in a series of Instagram Story posts
He republished Carr’s Story, with a link to a article on the show’s reading success: “We didn’t make THE TERMINAL LIST for critics. We did it for those in the arena’
Pratt also shared a recording of Mike Myers as Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers films titled ONE POINT SIX BILLLLLLLLLLION MINUTES as Nielsen figures show viewers watched at least 1.6 billion minutes of the thriller
Critics across multiple media outlets have slammed the show, with The Guardian calling it a “deadly boring” military thriller “offering little intrigue or excitement.”
Reviewer Benjamin Lee wrote: “It’s a passion project for Pratt, who doesn’t shy away from his military obsession, but you wouldn’t know it if you watched the actor deliver what might be his laziest performance yet, shuffling lethargically through scenes as if he were.” he only here the money that is unable to give real shades of humanity to an admittedly semi-tonal character.
In another negative review, Variety said the show was “a grumpy, miserable custom that would be difficult to comprehend as a two-hour film and inexplicably dragged on for up to eight hours.”
The publication also said the show appears to be a “vanity project” for Chris, who is serving as executive producer.
In a slightly more positive review, The Independent praised the performances of actresses Riley Keogh and Constance Wu but criticized the plot.
They wrote, “The storyline, if there is one, will make about as much sense to viewers as it did to the badly shaken Reece.”
The Hollywood Reporter also gave the show a scathing review — comparing it to a “dry, tasteless” burger that’s been “left on the grill for so long that the result is dry and tasteless.”
Its reviewer wrote, “It’s the entertainment equivalent of a charred hockey puck, with the same limited range of flavor and aesthetics.”
The publication added, “This was a chance to take a thriller frame and include meaningful exploration of trauma and other struggles involving veterans, and an emphasis on bravery and heroism.”
“Instead it’s leaden, mostly emotionless, and if its pace is fast it’s because everything important has been removed.”
CNN offered a similarly scathing review, describing the eight-episode series as “brutal” and “cliche.”
Audiences have given the show more positive reviews, with one viewer saying, “This is the best TV show that’s come out in a while.”
But those who have seen the show gave it a noticeably more positive rating, with one viewer saying: “This is the best TV show to come out in a while.
“Chris does a great job as a Navy SEAL commando, exacting revenge on those who killed his team. I’ve been on the edge of my seat all season.’
Another said: “Great series. Don’t listen to the “professional critics”. If you want action with a great cast, this show is for you.”
A viewer added: “Excellent acting throughout. Authentic representation of the topic. Gripping story.’
Another wrote: “As usual, critics got this wrong. Excellent series!’
The terminal list reviews
The Guardian: “It’s a passion project for Pratt, who doesn’t shy away from his military obsession, but you wouldn’t know if you watched the actor deliver his laziest performance yet, shuffling lethargically through the scenes as if he were only here because of the money ‘unable to bring real shades of humanity to an admittedly semi-tonal character.’
The Daily Beast: “Given the suggestion that slaughtering your powerful enemies for a just cause of vengeance is perfectly fine and very cool, the morale of showrunner David DiGilio and executive producer/director Antoine Fuqua’s eight-part series (July 1) is, shall we say, missing.’
The Independent: “The storyline, if there is one, will make about as much sense to viewers as it did to the badly shaken Reece.”
Variety: The Terminal List is “a sullen, miserable custom that would be difficult to comprehend as a two-hour film and has inexplicably lasted up to eight hours”
Empire: “The plot is so simple that there really is no challenge to follow it. The far greater challenge is maintaining interest.
CNN: “Despite the promotional benefits of showing star producer Chris Pratt as a darker avenger, this brutal eight-episode slog squanders his talent on and off camera.”
The Hollywood Reporter: “A dry, tasteless piece of red meat… It’s the entertainment equivalent of a charred hockey puck, with the same limited range of flavor and aesthetics.”