Why Chris Pratt Wants to Authentically Represent Military on Screen: ‘Get It Right’
By Movieguide® Contributor
No stranger to playing military roles, actor Chris Pratt tries to be as authentic as he can when it comes to representing America’s servicemen on screen.
“Everything I know about combat I learned from watching TV and movies,” the ZERO DARK THIRTY actor admitted on THE TONIGHT SHOW. “My roommate (Max Adams), who’s now my producing partner on THE TERMINAL LIST, a former NAVY Seal, he used to pick things apart.”
“I always assumed when something explodes behind you, you just walk away,” Pratt joked. “You don’t even flinch. Everything I know is from watching it on screen.”
Pratt starred in and produced THE TERMINAL LIST, an Amazon Prime series. In it, he plays the main role of a Navy SEAL who seeks revenge after the death of his family.
“A big part of THE TERMINAL LIST was to really take the time, hiring this trifecta of former Spec Ops to oversee all the military action and make sure authenticity was the North Star,” Pratt explained.
Movieguide®’s review of THE TERMINAL LIST Episode 6 reads:
THE TERMINAL LIST: “Transience” grabs viewers by using dream-like flashbacks, intense action and compelling acting. These elements build suspense. Darker colors reveal Reece’s mental state and struggle with PTSD. The episode has a strong moral, patriotic worldview. Reece continues to pursue truth and justice despite the evil and lies surrounding him. While his methods cause him to flee authorities and create destruction, his desire for truth is admirable. “Transience” promotes family, helping veterans after they return from combat, pursuing truth no matter the cost, and protecting the sanctity of innocent human lives. MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution, however, for too much strong foul language.
“A lot of the time the feedback I’ll get from people in uniform will be, ‘Thank you for caring enough to try to get it right,’” the actor said. “The little things that you or I might not notice, they notice when they watch these types of movies. It always feels like a pat on the back when I hear that from them.”
Many servicemen and women attended The TONIGHT SHOW’s audience for “Fleet Week.”
“I hope it comes through that the whole creative teams behind THE TERMINAL LIST and these movies have the utmost respect for our men and women in uniforms. I’m so pumped it’s Fleet Week,” Pratt said.
Movieguide previously reported how Pratt honored military members:
In a 2021 post commemorating [Memorial Day], Pratt shared a series of images of people grieving the loss of fallen military personnel.
“Please, look at each one. Pause, give them your consideration,” Pratt urged his followers. “America’s exceptional armed forces have altered the course of the world for the better. From the Union Army defeating slave owning confederates, to the Greatest Generation and her Allies vanquishing the Nazis or our special operators hunting down the perpetrators of 9/11.”
He continued, “We count the names of each fallen solider lest they be countless. They are the good guys. They run to the sound of gunfire. They know pain and suffering we never will. They have given us the most free and decent society planet earth has ever seen. We run the risk of losing that decency when we fail to instill gratitude in the minds of our youth or the perspective of what it actually means to be free- should they never learn of the selfless sacrifice of our armed service members in the face of oppressive evil.”
Pratt also made a long Instagram post to commemorate veterans on Veteran’s Day last year:
Happy Veterans Day! Today, we salute the men and women in uniform who have volunteered to step into harm’s way to protect our way of life. Every nation on Earth has problems, including ours. However, the United States of America, the grand experiment built on the foundation of liberty, justice, and freedom, is as close to perfection today as any country has been in history. Yet, we are still far away. If you want to disagree, you can do so loudly, free from violence or imprisonment. That’s America—the town square where ideas can be shared and debated! Unfortunately, that is not the case around the globe, where dissent is met with violence and imprisonment. Do not take that for granted. It’s each of our civic duty to drive this nation closer to perfection. In my opinion, that starts with showing gratitude to those who paved the way and to those who serve and finding a way to be of service ourselves. Thank a Veteran today. The freedoms we often take for granted, our shot at the American Dream—we owe it to the valorous acts of warriors in uniform. Don’t forget that. Okay, Dad! We get it! #VeteransDay
Pratt recently voiced Mario in THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE, which won the Movieguide® Best Movie for Families Award® as well as a Teddy Bear Award® at this year’s Faith and Values Awards Gala.
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