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The Way of the Gun

The Way of the Gun

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A treasure trove of classic characters
Review: This movie has its fair share of detractors but I give Christopher McQuarrie full credit for what he was trying to do here. This is a crime movie that goes against everything that we are so used to seeing in crime movies nowadays. Parker and Longbaugh, the film's main characters, are to put it bluntly, scumbags. You'll get evidence of this in the first two minutes of the movie, one of the best openings for a film I've seen. The thing is, the movie doesn't try to tell you different and doesn't attempt to apologize for their actions and the actions of every other character in the story, it just serves it to you in your face. That's why I loved this movie: for it's gritty realism. People don't always have impeccable aim when shooting at someone. Shootouts can and do happen in close proximity without anybody getting hit. Not everyone has a heart of gold. Not everyone has optimistic views. I only have one or two minor gripes with this film and their not even anything really destructive in the overall package. The film demands your complete attention. As much action as there is, it is dialouge driven and if you miss just one important sentence, the film can be hard to follow because this movie is pretty loaded with twists. Yeah, Ryan Phillippe might be a little too young for his part and his rep as a pretty boy might put some of you off but he surprised me here. Any of you reading this think that Stephen Baldwin had it in him until you saw the Usual Suspects? My point, exactly. Benicio creates a character that puts his earlier Fenster to shame. His performance here is awesome. But then again, what did you expect? I'm gonna stop here with praises for the rest of the cast (especially Geoffrey Lewis; his character's introduction is one of the most hilarious and original that I have ever seen) and one BIG thumbs up for the film's score. Joe Kraemer, the man responsible, does an AMAZING job with the music. Thankfully, the dvd comes packed with an isolated score feature complete with commentary by Mr. Kraemer because it has to be heard to be believed. Sufficient extras here with a nice director/composer commentary, the video presentation is nice and clean, the audio is pretty sweet and all in all I think that this was a sorely overlooked gem. Definitely worth a look.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: ...and the award for Best Bad Movie of the Year goes to...
Review: OK, MI:2 it ain't. If you like hi-tech, gee-whiz, state-of-the-art action sequences with lots of slo-mo and people just generally defying gravity you'll be completely unimpressed by this movie. Plus, the plot is weak (and rather predictable) and the acting is, at best, just OK. On the other hand, if you're the sort that gets upset by technical inaccuracies such as continually racking the slide on a shotgun, 1911A1s that seem to hold 29 rounds, rifle scope sight pictures that seem to be rock-solid, and bullets that seem to have target seeker heads (based on a complete lack of aiming by the shooter), YOU WILL LOVE THIS MOVIE. Most of the characters observe Col. Coopers "Four Rules," they miss their targets often as not, their guns run out of ammo necessitating a reload or switch to another weapon, and they employ realistic tactics. This WILL become part of my collection once the price comes down to an affordable level.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: And now for something completely crappy...
Review: Here's what I believe to be the real story behind the making of such a horrible movie:

When the script arrived in the hands of Ryan Phillippe and Benicio Del Toro it was a jaw- drapping, edge of your seat, action movie that never failed to keep the audience interested or disappointed.

Then something happened.

The night before filming began, something drastic happened to the script. I'm not quite sure, but I'm thinking the director's dog dumped a massive load all over it thus completely destroying it. The only redeemable thing the writers could think of was to hand a pen and paper to some locals at a bar and see what they come up with.

The result was the movie that ended up in the theaters, the movie that I would rather throw myself into a fire than see again. Ryan Phillippe and Benicio Del Toro would never have starred in a movie like this, but since they'd already signed the contracts, they couldn't get out of it. Juliette Lewis's part was added at the last minute, hence she looked like she crawled out from underneath a rock, and didn't have time to get all gussied up.

I think this is the only logical explanation as to why a crappy movie such as this was made. I saw it for free, but that is still no excuse to see it at all. Please, oh, please! do not give this movie so much as a glance.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Slick movie with a great cast!
Review: Way Of The Gun has a great opening, a slow middle and one of the coolest endings in cinema history. Two small time robbers try to make the "big score" by holding a rich man's surrogate mother hostage. Although the middle of this film REALLY slows down, the ending will make it all worth while. If you have a good surround sound system, turn it up really loud for the final shootout as it beats out Heat's gun play. Cool musical score also. I bought Way Of The Gun without ever having seen it and am glad I did.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: THE WORST MOVIE OF THE DECADE
Review: Ok, I really put myself through some abuse watching this movie. Whoever directed this movie, Chris McQuarry or whatever his name is, needs help. He REALLY needs help! This movie is a piece of garbage. You got Bencio Del Toro he's sleepwalking through the movie. You got Ryan Phillipe he's jumping on shards of glass for money. Worst of all you got a plot nobody can understand. Am I getting through to you! The best thing to do, if anyone asks you to watch this movie- RUN, RUN VERY FAST. If you really like action, check out Mission: Impossible 2. The special effects are brilliant. Everyone should see that movie!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: A few nice twists, but that's it.
Review: "The Way of the Gun" has a couple of unexpected twists, but for the most part, it's too little, too long. If you want a modern western with style, buy Antonio Banderas' "Desperado". Come to think of it, if Robert Rodriguez was at the helm, "The Way of the Gun" might have been a much better movie. As it is, this movie is hamstringed with a soap opera plot, unrealistic shootouts, and Ryan Phillippe mumbling through his "tries-too-hard-to-be-cool" dialog. You can't make a good movie if that's what you have to work with. And this isn't a good movie.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Way of the gun
Review: I thought this movie was great. It is about time that there is a movie that does not want you to pick a side or connect with a character. It challenges you to try to become one of the characters. This movie is really intended to work your mind and see more than what is seen. After seeing the movie I watched the Director commentator version and it really helped me understand what points he was making and how simple his plan was. I think this is a keeper

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Jaw-dropping, devastating action sequences.
Review: Christopher McQuarrie succeeds in spades in translating his ultra-stylish flair, first unveiled in his script for The Usual Suspects, into the directing. The Way of the Gun is less innovative narratively than The Usual Suspects, but the suspense and action sequences are hair-raising, the acting uniformly fascinating, and makes for highly engaging viewing.

Benecio del Toro proves once again why he's one of the most coveted actors on the scene today with a turn that's simultaneously playful, downtrodden, edgy and endearing. Surprisingly, onscreen partner Ryan Phillipe holds his own, projecting a scuzziness and violence hitherto never demonstrated. James Caan is adequate in a low-key villain role, and Taye Diggs makes for a good adversary for our "heroes".

The most astonishing thing about The Way of the Gun is McQuarrie's treatment of the action sequences. Quite simply the best gunfight scenes since Heat in 1995 here, much of it shot in a similar fashion to Michael Mann's (little music, real-time, wide-open spaces), and that incredible "car" sequence keeps you glued to the screen and to your seat. McQuarrie mounts a ton of tension with nearly no visible onscreen violence in the first 2/3 of this movie, and it's an amazing feat. And when he lets loose the carnage during the climactic showdown, it's a rip-snorting experience. Throughout, McQuarrie injects humour at decorous spots (much of it thanks to del Toro's devilish persona) and also comes up with some marvellous sight gags amidst the blood-curdling action.

Yes, most of the characters here are lowlife types, but their vividity keeps you interested. And none of them behaves in a predictable manner. The Way of the Gun is a rousing confrontation that rarely slows down, and one of the best action films of the past several years.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Horrible movie
Review: This movie was bad, very bad. It was the quality of a HBO original with no plot just abunch of people shooting guns back and forth. The movie had good actors, but they didn't act. This movie was total stinktitude.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: thoroughly enjoyable action flick
Review: If you like cool movies like Reservoir Dogs, The Usual Suspects and True Romance, you'll probably like this. If, on the other hand, you thought What Women Want was really great, you should avoid this.

The brooding soundtrack is great and memorable. A neat feature is that you can listen to it as an isolated track. The composer talks, but not when the music starts.

The acting is pretty good and the story involving. There's a lot of action interspersed with dialogue.

This is a very good effort by a first time director.


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