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Average customer rating:

a little disappointed with Christopher McQuarrie
Overlooked
HOSTAGE VS KIDNAPPERS VS RESCUERS
One Great Action Movie
A Very Good And Suspenseful Film: Crooks Versus Crooks!

The Way of the Gun
Starring: Ryan Phillippe , Benicio Del Toro , Juliette Lewis , Taye Diggs , and Nicky Katt
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Suicide Kings
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (Widescreen Edition)
Snatch (Special Edition)
The Boondock Saints
True Romance - Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition)

ASIN: B00005QJHP
Release Date: 2001-10-23

Amazon.com

The big selling point for The Way of the Gun is the fact that it was written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the guy who wrote The Usual Suspects. Benicio Del Toro and Ryan Phillippe star as two low-rent criminals who fall into a plan to kidnap a surrogate mother (Juliette Lewis) who is carrying a baby for a very wealthy couple. The duo are immediately in over their heads, and their kidnapping plot brings to light the dark and hidden tendrils of the old man's family structure. It also brings on lots of gunfights and lots of blood. McQuarrie creates some good action sequences (particularly the slow-moving car "chase" through the alleys), but that only serves to emphasize the one major weakness of the film: the script. Though it's chock full of macho declarations, shootouts, and "surprise" revelations, the core story is ultra-predictable. That wouldn't be so bad if there were any characters to care about, but only a supporting performance from James Caan elicits any kind of sympathy. This is merely a movie based on violent movies, with no additional commentary. Then again, McQuarrie does do a nice job with much of the action. Though nowhere near as good as The Usual Suspects, particularly in its story, The Way of the Gun is a promising debut for McQuarrie as a director. --Andy Spletzer

Customer Reviews:

a little disappointed with Christopher McQuarrie.......2007-03-07

Kinda sounds like a martial arts movie set in the Old West. Actually, it was a rather strange movie directed and written by the guy who wrote the screenplay for The Usual Suspects. But unlike The Usual Suspects, this lackluster film failed to deliver.

The cast was even more diverse than Suspects, if that is even possible. Ryan Philippe, Benicio del Toro, and Juliette Lewis were the headliners, with a cast rounded out by Taye Diggs, Nicky Katt, and James Caan. Caan's performance was the one diamond in this coal mine of acting drivel. He rarely fails to deliver stellar, well-nuanced characters. Taye Diggs is not believable as a bodyguard. He is a model, not an actor. Del Toro gives us his typical one-dimensional character that we've seen a thousand times, and Philippe's accent was absolutely dreadful (watch Matt Damon if you want real Boston). Lewis, typically strong (i.e. Natural Born Killers), was a little disappointing in her role as a surrogate mother for doting multi-millionaire parents.

The storyline is basically two cons (del Toro and Philippe) who abandon their typical money-making schemes (sperm donation, etc) to pursue a more lucrative idea by kidnapping the surrogate of a millionaire. After watching the first gunfight (guns galore, thus the title), one really begins to wonder where these two get their skills from. Two cons that have to jack-off to make ends meet typically don't have the elite skills of the top Army Rangers in tactical weaponry. But these two are obviously gifted in S.W.A.T. Remarkably, it becomes even more surreal as these two lead the skilled bodyguards of the surrogate down alleyways in intricate cat and mouse play that even Jerry and the Road Runner would be envious of.

A potentially intricate plot is heavily diluted by a poorly written script and even worse directing. I don't think this film is worthy of being in the same review as The Usual Suspects, much less being on its cover. This film was a good idea, but poorly executed.

Overlooked.......2007-01-31

I get the feeling there was alot of the story we're missing here; It hints at the possibility of being a truly epic crime story, with rich background stories and intricate plots to unfold. And while this is not the overall result, there are alot of really great moments in this quirky and well-acted crime drama. Ryan and Benicio are compelling leads, and Caan is excellent as an aging mobster. And, of course, it's really all about the big finish. Kind of a Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid thing...This is one of those odd movies I just really liked.

HOSTAGE VS KIDNAPPERS VS RESCUERS.......2007-01-28

More disorganized crime.
If anything can go wrong, it will.

Surrogate mother (Juliette Lewis) is kidnapped. (Benicio Del Toro)
Daddy-o (Scott Wilson) sends his strongarm (James Caan) and her bodyguards to get her back.
Subplot: bodyguards think of this as some sort of competition with the strongarm.

Adult content.

If you like this movie try
Hostage

One Great Action Movie.......2007-01-11

I knew as soon as the first five minutes had passed that this was my kind of movie. This flick is definately a must for any action movie buff's DVD collection. The final shoot out is raw!

A Very Good And Suspenseful Film: Crooks Versus Crooks!.......2006-10-18

"The Way of the Gun" is a very complex and violent film, but then so are the characters portrayed in the film. Most the complaints I hear from people who have seen this film is that it is violence for violence sake. Not true. The individuals involved in the film are all violent men; and they don't ask for anything, they take it by force. That is the world they live in, and that is their nature: And that is also the premise of the film. Therefore, you will either like this film, or you won't. I happen to believe that this was a very good film. Not great [almost], but very good.

The story revolves around two petty losers, Longbaugh (Benicio Del Toro) and his partner Parker (Ryan Phillipe). Both of them are good friends who are wanderers. Neither holds a job, and for them anything is for the taking. They make money any way they can: From petty larceny to robbery, or whatever other way they can. While attempting to earn money at a sperm bank clinic; they both overhear a chance conversation about a woman who is the surrogate mother (Juliette Lewis) of a very rich couple. In their greed to make a quick bundle of money, they both decide to kidnap her and hold her for ransom.

However, in their greed to rush into the kidnapping they don't plan it very well. First, and foremost, they know nothing about the rich man whom they are about to deal with. He is a criminal not unlike them, only he has quite a few men under his control. Moreover, his men are trained killers who will stop at nothing to see that the surrogate mother is not abducted: Even if it means killing her. What Longbaugh and Parker find themselves in is a situation in which they are totally outmatched, outgunned, outmanuevered and more importantly; they are up against a man who will stop at nothing to see them dead.

The acting by ALL the film's characters is great. Also, the action scenes are very intense and dramatic. The shoot-out scenes are some of the most realistic I have ever seen in film. You almost believe that the characters are actually firing real rounds. This in itself give this film a very realistic intensity lacking in many films of this genre. [Many films look fake in their shootouts--not this one}. As I wrote in the beginnig, this is a very complex film. Some of the characters in the film give outstanding performances: From James Caan, who has a deep secret that invovles the surrogate mother, to Taye Diggs and Nicky Katt, the hired bodyguards of Juliete Lewis. The film is highly recommended! [Stars: 4.5]

Average customer rating:

a little disappointed with Christopher McQuarrie
Overlooked
HOSTAGE VS KIDNAPPERS VS RESCUERS
One Great Action Movie
A Very Good And Suspenseful Film: Crooks Versus Crooks!

The Way of the Gun
Starring: Ryan Phillippe , Benicio Del Toro , Juliette Lewis , Taye Diggs , and Nicky Katt
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Manufacturer: Live / Artisan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Crime | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Suicide Kings
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (Widescreen Edition)
Snatch (Special Edition)
The Boondock Saints
True Romance - Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition)

ASIN: B000053V7A
Release Date: 2001-01-02

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

a little disappointed with Christopher McQuarrie.......2007-03-07

Overlooked.......2007-01-31

HOSTAGE VS KIDNAPPERS VS RESCUERS.......2007-01-28

One Great Action Movie.......2007-01-11

I knew as soon as the first five minutes had passed that this was my kind of movie. This flick is definately a must for any action movie buff's DVD collection. The final shoot out is raw!

A Very Good And Suspenseful Film: Crooks Versus Crooks!.......2006-10-18

Average customer rating:

a little disappointed with Christopher McQuarrie
Overlooked
HOSTAGE VS KIDNAPPERS VS RESCUERS
One Great Action Movie
A Very Good And Suspenseful Film: Crooks Versus Crooks!

The Way of the Gun [Region 2]
Starring: Ryan Phillippe , Benicio Del Toro , Juliette Lewis , Taye Diggs , and Nicky Katt
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Suicide Kings
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (Widescreen Edition)
Snatch (Special Edition)
The Boondock Saints
True Romance - Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition)

ASIN: B00005MOLE

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

a little disappointed with Christopher McQuarrie.......2007-03-07

Overlooked.......2007-01-31

HOSTAGE VS KIDNAPPERS VS RESCUERS.......2007-01-28

One Great Action Movie.......2007-01-11

I knew as soon as the first five minutes had passed that this was my kind of movie. This flick is definately a must for any action movie buff's DVD collection. The final shoot out is raw!

A Very Good And Suspenseful Film: Crooks Versus Crooks!.......2006-10-18

Average customer rating:

Killing Zoe by The Way of the Gun

The Way of the Gun/Killing Zoe
Starring: Eric Stoltz , Julie Delpy , Jean-Hugues Anglade , Tai Thai , and Bruce Ramsay
Director: Roger Avary , and Christopher McQuarrie
Manufacturer: Live / Artisan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00005V1WS
Release Date: 2002-02-26

Customer Reviews:

Killing Zoe by The Way of the Gun.......2005-03-22

The Way of the Gun (2000)

Along with writing the film, McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects) also makes his directorial debut. Appearing in the film is James Caan (Misery), Benicio Del Toro (The Usual Suspects), and Ryan Phillippe (I Know What You Did Last Summer), along with Taye Diggs (Chicago), Juliette Lewis (Cold Creek Manor), Geoffrey Lewis (Salem's Lot), and Scott Wilson (In the Heat of the Night).

The film starts with an exercise to see how much profanity can be crammed into the first two minutes. If there ever were a contest for such a thing, The Way of the Gun would surely rank. Once we get past that, we meet two individuals in Longbaugh (Del Toro) and Parker (Phillippe). They appear to be a couple of grifter types, surviving on the fringe of the system, collecting money where they can, including, but not limited to, donating baby batter, which is where they conceive (pardon the pun) an idea to kidnap a pregnant woman (Lewis) and hold her for ransom. Turns out the woman is a surrogate mother, and her benefactors, the soon-to be recipients of the unborn babe, are going to pay the woman one million dollars once the transaction is completed, so the duo figure they got some very deep pockets. The plan goes off, but not without a hitch as a gun battle between the duo and the bodyguards ensues, but they eventually do make off with the woman, only to learn the surrogate father is a rich and powerful figure linked to various underworld elements, and has no problem in using such elements to avoid any nasty entanglements with the police. One of these elements is Joe Sarno (Caan), essentially a bagman (a person who collects money, as for racketeers), but also someone who has a unique interest in the events so far, much more so than just performing a task assigned to him by his employer. As the once duo, now a trio (a foursome, if you count the unborn baby) head south of the border (that's Mexico to you and me, pard), things get really complicated as certain aspects of certain relationships are revealed, leaving this viewer to often time be left scratching his head, not so much out of the need to relieve an itch, but in a bewildered sense, as confusion settled in...but never fear, things do sort themselves out in their own, sweet time, at least enough to stop me from scratching my head and move on to other parts of my anatomy...(ain't thet a pretty picture)

I did enjoy the film, but I felt there were really no standout performances. It was almost like the story overshadowed the characters. Phillippe and Del Toro's characters seemed to be the main ones early on, but they soon became peripherals as the story progressed. As far as Caan's character goes, it isn't like we haven't seen him do virtually the same character he's done many times before..and then there's Juliette Lewis...I don't really care for her as an actress that much, as I tire of the waifish idiot routine, and imagine that same routine except now she's waddling around, about to spew forth a baby. I thought McQuarrie got a little too cutesy with the dialogue at some points, and maybe he himself realized this as there's one scene featuring one of the characters making fun of the way another talks. The pacing of the story felt a little odd, as the beginning starts out with a lot of action, then wanes throughout the middle, finishing up stronger than it began. The plot proceeds in a linear fashion, but the details involving the characters do not, as bits of crucial information are revealed when McQuarrie deemed necessary. This results in confusion and sometimes frustration, but he doesn't leaving you hanging too much, as things become clear near the end. I respect his ability to visualize telling a tale in this manner, as if I tried to do it, I would mess things up horribly, constantly tripping over my own plot threads. All in all, there's lots of gunplay, lots of blood, smart performances, smart writing, and an entertaining film.

The widescreen anamorphic (1.85:1) picture (enhanced for 16 X 9 TVs) looks sharp, and the Dolby Digital 5.1 audio is clear. Special features include a commentary track by the director and composer, an isolated music track featuring commentary by the composer, storyboards and script of a deleted scene, production notes, and biographies with video interviews with the cast.

By the way, if I learned anything from this film (as I'm sure Ryan Phillippe's character of Parker did), it is to always look before you leap, especially in and around a Mexican brothel...

Kinning Zoe (1994)

Written and directed by Roger Avary (The Rules of Attraction), the film stars Eric Stoltz (The Wild Life), Julie Delpy (An American Werewolf in Paris), and Jean-Hugues Anglade (Taking Lives). Also appearing is Bruce Ramsay (Alive), Kario Salem (Nomads), Salvator Xuereb (The Doom Generation), and Gary Kemp (The Krays).

The film begins as Zed, played by Stoltz, looking much like a scruffy poster boy for the Grunge movement, arrives in Paris and hails a cab to take him to a hotel. During the cab ride, the driver offers to set Zed up with some female companionship, to which a comely woman named Zoe (Delpy) show up a few hours later. After some brief formalities (we learn she doesn't do `weird' stuff), the two further the cause for Franco-American relations, to which we learn she's just doing it for the money (duh) to pay for school. Soon Zed's French friend Eric (Anglade) arrives, and he quickly and unceremoniously ejects Zoe from the room (sans her clothes). Seems Zed has arrived in Paris at Eric's bequest, as Zed is a safecracker, and Eric has a job lined up. Zed meets with the rest of Eric's crew (I wasn't impressed), and the gang goes out on the town for a dose of the three D's, drinking, drugs (there's a lot of `riding the snake' involved), and Dixieland music...seriously. Anyway, the next day arrives, and the gang hits the bank...and their well-oiled plans quickly go down the drain (much the same as Zed's breakfast, lunch, and dinner the night before). All kinds of complications develop, from uncooperative bank employees to less than capable members within Eric's group. Did I also mention that Zoe works at the bank (talk about your moonlighting)? Well, things continue to deteriorate (the police show up, and they seem to care little for the hostages) as we witness the importance of careful planning and being picky when choosing associates for such an undertaking.

There were a few things that detracted from this film, some major, some minor. First of all, how stupid do you have to be to go on a drunken drug binge (scenes that took way too much time) the night before you're planning to pull a major robbery (I think it was presented as some sort of `bonding' sequence)? Did I mention this before? It's worth bringing up again...and an experienced safecracker (Zed) would have never agreed to perform a job with such short notice and so little planning...talk about stupidity...I did feel the script was decent, even strong at some points, and there's plenty of action, but more often it seemed like the violence was there only for the sake of having it there...the random shooting of the various bank employees and patrons (actually, we don't get to see a lot of people get shot, as a good deal of the violence happens off screen) seemed a bit gratuitous (a Quentin Tarantino film with gratuitous violence? Gee, that's a shocker...). I appreciated some of the comic elements throughout the film, like when Zed, who was mainly working on the vault doors, and is unaware that the police have since gotten involved, discover such in the elevator as him and another have liberated the booty and are bringing it to the ground floor. The film was set in Paris, with the opening and closing scenes featuring Paris locations, but the rest of the film was shot in L.A., the bulk taking place in the bank and its underground vault area, which was painted an awful, garish, red. The film is filled with lots of flashy spectacle, so-so acting, two-dimensional characters, guns, guns, and more guns, and lots of blood. Some scenes to watch for...Delpy gets nekkid...this happens shortly after the beginning, and is worth it, as she's an attractive woman. Also watch for a cameo by Ron Jeremy aka A Man Called Horse, as an unfortunate bank employee.

The widescreen anamorphic (1.85:1) picture on this DVD looks very good, and the Dolby Digital 2.0 audio is clear most of the time, but could have been better...special features include cast and crew bios, productions notes, and a theatrical trailer.

By the way, if I learned anything from this film, it's that Frenchmen, especially those involved in criminal activities, respect you more if you smell like you've just been with a woman, if you know what I mean...

Cookieman108

Average customer rating:

a little disappointed with Christopher McQuarrie
Overlooked
HOSTAGE VS KIDNAPPERS VS RESCUERS
One Great Action Movie
A Very Good And Suspenseful Film: Crooks Versus Crooks!

The Way of the Gun [Region 2]
Starring: Ryan Phillippe , Benicio Del Toro , Juliette Lewis , Taye Diggs , and Nicky Katt
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Suicide Kings
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (Widescreen Edition)
Snatch (Special Edition)
The Boondock Saints
True Romance - Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition)

ASIN: B00005OR56

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

a little disappointed with Christopher McQuarrie.......2007-03-07

Overlooked.......2007-01-31

HOSTAGE VS KIDNAPPERS VS RESCUERS.......2007-01-28

One Great Action Movie.......2007-01-11

I knew as soon as the first five minutes had passed that this was my kind of movie. This flick is definately a must for any action movie buff's DVD collection. The final shoot out is raw!

A Very Good And Suspenseful Film: Crooks Versus Crooks!.......2006-10-18

Average customer rating:

a little disappointed with Christopher McQuarrie
Overlooked
HOSTAGE VS KIDNAPPERS VS RESCUERS
One Great Action Movie
A Very Good And Suspenseful Film: Crooks Versus Crooks!

The Way of the Gun [Region 2]
Starring: Ryan Phillippe , Benicio Del Toro , Juliette Lewis , Taye Diggs , and Nicky Katt
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Suicide Kings
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (Widescreen Edition)
Snatch (Special Edition)
The Boondock Saints
True Romance - Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition)

ASIN: B00005M6SM

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

a little disappointed with Christopher McQuarrie.......2007-03-07

Overlooked.......2007-01-31

HOSTAGE VS KIDNAPPERS VS RESCUERS.......2007-01-28

One Great Action Movie.......2007-01-11

I knew as soon as the first five minutes had passed that this was my kind of movie. This flick is definately a must for any action movie buff's DVD collection. The final shoot out is raw!

A Very Good And Suspenseful Film: Crooks Versus Crooks!.......2006-10-18

Average customer rating:

a little disappointed with Christopher McQuarrie
Overlooked
HOSTAGE VS KIDNAPPERS VS RESCUERS
One Great Action Movie
A Very Good And Suspenseful Film: Crooks Versus Crooks!

The Way of the Gun

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Suicide Kings
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (Widescreen Edition)
Snatch (Special Edition)
The Boondock Saints
True Romance - Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition)

ASIN: B00003CXNA

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

a little disappointed with Christopher McQuarrie.......2007-03-07

Overlooked.......2007-01-31

HOSTAGE VS KIDNAPPERS VS RESCUERS.......2007-01-28

One Great Action Movie.......2007-01-11

I knew as soon as the first five minutes had passed that this was my kind of movie. This flick is definately a must for any action movie buff's DVD collection. The final shoot out is raw!

A Very Good And Suspenseful Film: Crooks Versus Crooks!.......2006-10-18

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