'The Terminal List' Critics Review: Chris Pratt's thriller borders between promising and rotten

While Rotten Tomatoes saw the critic ratings at a healthy 80 per cent, not all were in consensus that the thriller was mind-blowing as 'The Tomorrow War'
UPDATED JUN 28, 2022
Chris Pratt in a still from 'The Terminal List' (Amazon Prime Video)
Chris Pratt in a still from 'The Terminal List' (Amazon Prime Video)

This time last year, Chris Pratt's sci-fi thriller 'The Tomorrow War' was generating all the buzz, and now the 'Jurassic World' actor is all set to return to Amazon Prime as Navy SEAL James Reece in 'The Terminal List'. The eight-episode series directed by 'Southpaw' director Antoine Fuqua opened to mixed reviews from critics ahead of its July 1 premiere.

The official synopsis reads, "Based on the best-selling novel by Jack Carr, The Terminal List follows James Reece (Chris Pratt) after his entire platoon of Navy SEALs is ambushed during a high-stakes covert mission. Reece returns home to his family with conflicting memories of the event and questions about his culpability. However, as new evidence comes to light, Reece discovers dark forces working against him, endangering not only his life but the lives of those he loves." The series also stars Taylor Kitsch, Constance Wu, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Riley Keough, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Arlo Mertz in key roles.

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Critic reviews for 'The Terminal List'

While Rotten Tomatoes saw the critic ratings at a healthy 80 per cent, not all were in consensus that the thriller was mind-blowing as 'The Tomorrow War'. TV Line called it a "terminally bad" show, while Slashfilm went one step ahead to call it "offensively bad". TV Guide opined that it was a predictable storyline, but was good enough for a one-time watch. Liam Mathews of the outlet said, "Prime Video's latest series, The Terminal List, fits the dad-friendly bill to a T. By the humble standards of the genre, The Terminal List is a smashing success."

We Got This Covered's Scott Campbell felt this one was for the action-lovers only. "The Terminal List might not be for everyone, but action junkies will get a kick out of the constant shifts in a genre that provide plenty of scope for spectacular set pieces among the surprisingly hard-hitting drama." 

Ahead of the release, Pratt shared his thoughts on the intense action sequences that were praised by critics. "I wanted it to be dirty. I didn’t want it to be a boxing match," he said in an interview with Coming Soon. "For example, the fight sequence that happens at the end of the pilot, I was like, “I’m going to fight this guy to the death. I’m going to punch him in the balls. I’m going rip out his eyes,” you know? “I’m going to do everything I can to be lethal in a fight. I’m not trying to score points here. I’m trying to kill him," he added

'The Terminal List' releases July 1 on Amazon Prime Video.

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