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27th Feb 2018

Chris Pratt criticised for message of support to Kevin Smith, Guardians of the Galaxy director fires back

Paul Moore

Wise words from JamesĀ Gunn.

To many film fans, Kevin Smith holds a special place in their hearts because the director of Mallrats and Chasing Amy personified the attitude of ‘do it yourself” filmmaking with his brilliant feature-length debut, Clerks.

Aside from being a brilliant comedy, there’s something aspirational about Smith’s debut because his bravery and courage to self-finance the entire production inspired a generation of directors to dream big.

At the moment, Smith is recovering from a massive heart attack that nearly killed him.

Tweeting from his hospital bed, he wrote: “After the first show this evening, I had a massive heart attack. The Doctor who saved my life told me I had 100% blockage of my LAD artery (aka ā€œthe Widow-Makerā€). If I hadnā€™t canceled show 2 to go to the hospital, I wouldā€™ve died tonight. But for now, Iā€™m still above ground!”

One of theĀ many people who wished Smith a speedy recovery was the star of Jurassic World and Guardians of the Galaxy, Chris Pratt.

Taking to Twitter, Pratt said: “Kevin we donā€™t know each other too good but I have loved you since Clerks and Iā€™m praying my ass off for you cause I believe in the healing power of prayer.”

Granted, that’s what Pratt believes and regardless of your religious beliefs, the actor is entitled to express his opinion. This being said, plenty of people were quick to criticise Pratt for what they perceived as hollow words and an empty gesture.

A scan through Pratt’s timeline also shows some people that equated his words with those of various US politicians who sent prayers and thoughts to the survivors of the recent high school shootings. The same politicians who refused to to enforce changes to gun control laws.

https://twitter.com/skepticalthinka/status/968233015687237633

After becoming aware of this backlash, the director of Guardians of the Galaxy, James Gunn, offered his view on the whole ‘thoughts and prayers’ situation.

It’s hard to argue with his logic.

https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/968136822927671298

https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/968136827214348290

https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/968136834856337408

https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/968136838572515328

https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/968136845006524417