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The Way of the Gun

The Way of the Gun

2000
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 59m
A twisting crime drama about two cold-blooded career criminals who kidnap a surrogate mother and find themselves in an escalating cycle of guns and mayhem. (Artisan Entertainment)

Directed by:

Christopher McQuarrie

Screenwriter:

Christopher McQuarrie

Starring:

Ryan Phillippe, Taye Diggs, James Caan, Juliette Lewis, Dylan Kussman, Benicio Del Toro, Nicky Katt, Scott Wilson, Sarah Silverman, Geoffrey Lewis, Kristin Lehman

Genres:

Drama, Suspense/Thriller, Crime, Action

Country:

USA

Languages:

English, Spanish
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The Way of the Gun

2000
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 59m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 49.42% from 1000 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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paxtonPaxton
Rated 24 Sep 2019
65
49th
The Way of the Gun plays like some kind of From Dusk Till Dawn without any vampires in it. Yet it's nowhere near as good as that should be.
Rated 24 Sep 2019
grimsoothgrimsooth
Rated 01 Feb 2007
87
93rd
Everyone is out to find their way and their fortune, in this case those goals are conflicting. The life of criminals is a ruff one, and not too far from our own.
Rated 01 Feb 2007
obdurateObdurate
Rated 27 Mar 2019
85
81st
This just felt fun, which I was completely okay with. It didn't require complex characters, just entertaining action and a twisting plot. It had both, so in my eyes it is a huge success. With that said, while I wouldn't say that the characters will be memorable in years to come, I was still into them. Really enjoyed the dialogue and the interactions between people, along with the pretty absurd (and awesome) situations that they were put in, like giving birth during a shootout or that car chase.
Rated 27 Mar 2019
philamentalphilamental
Rated 14 Oct 2016
57
29th
I really wasn't able to process this after one viewing. It seemed to be tonally all over the place and I could never settle in to it. Part 'cool' thriller, part mystery, part family drama, part western, part noir, and rather than mix them successfully, it chopped and changed between each too frequently for me to enjoy. At the same time there is a lot to like such as Caan and Del Toro, a lot of the dialogue and much of the action. This may prove to be a film that improves with multiple viewings
Rated 14 Oct 2016
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 15 Oct 2015
7
68th
The opening scene and the scene after where they are donating sperm are the best scenes in the movie. It doesn't fall apart after that but those first 2 scenes are incredibly witty and funny and well written. Del Toro is amazing in this and really steals every scene he's in. The gun fights are well done and Peckinpah-esque but sometimes the story gets stale and some of the actors don't make sense (Taye Diggs, Nicky Katt) and drag down the scenes they are in. Good but could've been better
Rated 15 Oct 2015
ecitizeneCitizen
Rated 31 Jul 2012
91
91st
An excellent shoot-em up with plenty of action and excitement. The two kidnappers, Ryan Phillippe and Benicio Del Toro, are originally protrayed as amateurs but are pretty shrewd gunmen. James Caan played an overly confident bagman. Everyone was corrupt in some way, and nobody could be trusted. Great plot, fun to watch, and new twist and turns every few minutes. Well worth watching, as there were many memorable scenes.
Rated 31 Jul 2012
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 11 Jan 2009
30
7th
Ahh! The fountain is filled with broken beer bottles. C-sections errywhere! Post Pulp Fiction crap.
Rated 11 Jan 2009
easymac742easymac742
Rated 14 Aug 2007
36
1st
Funny first two minutes. Nice gunfight at the end. Everything in the middle was a waste of my time. This was the Oscar-winning writer of The Usual Suspects?!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
martrynmartryn
Rated 27 Mar 2007
69
47th
I like Ryan Phillipe, and I like guns. Movie felt a lot like a modern day Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Obviously not the same, and obviously not a classic, but it had the same feel to it. Plus, Way of the Gun is a badass title. Points for that.
Rated 27 Mar 2007
doctor7doctor7
Rated 25 Feb 2007
90
91st
Great dialog and extremely well written with lots of sub-plots that will probably force you to watch the movie multiple times in order to fully understand them. Ryan Phillippe earned my respect with his role in this movie and Benicio Del Toro is, as usual, fantastic. The action scenes are inventive and it features of the the most memorable car chases you will ever see. As well the opening scene is by far the most attention grabbing one I have ever seen.
Rated 25 Feb 2007
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 11 Feb 2023
78
56th
An ugly, sloppy mess and mix of different styles, genres and performance (sometimes in the same scene) but it still kinda works, humming along on an internal consistency, and bolstered by the technical proficiency of folks on both sides of the camera. Caan stealthily steals it as the ageing tough guy, but Phillippe’s bizarre Christopher Walken impression (who knew?) is almost as mesmerising in its own way; ditto a hilarious cameo from Silverman. Good fun, and possibly one to return to.
Rated 11 Feb 2023
tpbradburytpbradbury
Rated 14 Nov 2021
52
44th
I remember seeing this on video in about 2001-2 and it left me with an impression of being really good. On a rewatch, less impressed. Perhaps it's been repeated or I now recognise it's derivative of Tarantine or similar
Rated 14 Nov 2021
neonmanNeonman
Rated 06 Jan 2021
78
59th
The violence against women and the 'f' slurs at the beginning are fun and all, but I guess they seem tonally and thematically inconsistent with the rest of the film, which is barrels of gun fun. Some nicely realistically gun battles are spread out through a fairly ordinary story, though one beefed up with oftentimes sparky dialogue. You can tell this is a well thought-out action movie done well BECAUSE of its low budget.
Rated 06 Jan 2021
kryptkrypt
Rated 21 Jun 2018
63
20th
The action itself is (really) good, but this is just sadism.
Rated 21 Jun 2018
mcjohnsonMcJohnson
Rated 01 Aug 2015
73
19th
Ultimately unengaging. Only Del Toro and Caan make any sense in their roles. Cool gunfights.
Rated 01 Aug 2015
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 31 Dec 2014
3
38th
Ryan Philippe and Benicio del Toro get into a shootout with a bunch of old guys, the Ectomobile pulls up and mercifully escorts Juliette Lewis out of my sight.
Rated 31 Dec 2014
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 15 Jun 2014
95
96th
One of the most underrated films ever made in my eyes. Video essay deconstructing the final shootout: https://youtu.be/7NQPDk3eD2E
Rated 15 Jun 2014
monkeyflipmonkeyflip
Rated 16 Jul 2013
34
13th
It delivers upon it's premise and it is a bit more intelligent than other movies of a similar vain but I did not enjoy or empathize with a single one of the characters or any of the long bits of dialogue. It does have some neat action scenes scattered throughout that have both pizazz and realism but the dialogue and characters did not have the pizazz and realism needed to match the action scenes.
Rated 16 Jul 2013
glmglm
Rated 06 Jun 2012
66
37th
66.000
Rated 06 Jun 2012
toporopotoporopo
Rated 29 Mar 2012
35
14th
Stopped watching after 20 minutes. Bad 80s action and clumsily paced dialogue.
Rated 29 Mar 2012
kingjohnbbqKingjohnbbq
Rated 20 Oct 2011
98
93rd
one of the best action movies i've ever seen. everyone has an angle to play, and the gun play is absolutely believable. the dialogue is never 'too much, don't care'. its always just enough and necessary to either the characters or the plot. cant wait til I watch it again.
Rated 20 Oct 2011
wwallce4prezWWallce4prez
Rated 09 Aug 2011
50
14th
A cult film that you may want to not revisit. Having not seen this for almost 20 years, I was irked by its similarities to something like Boondocks Saints. The central characters are criminals so that they can do crimes. Even with some poetic voice-over and having seen stolen by James Caan, it doesn't change the fact that these two are unpleasant to watch. I really like McQuarrie, and his action is good here, but the narrative and attitude here are kind of trash.
Rated 09 Aug 2011
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 24 Jun 2011
73
36th
Well made for what it is, a simple but effective crime flick with strong bursts of action and a gritty feel. It does well in keeping the plot moving and a few tricks up its sleeve without overextending itself.
Rated 24 Jun 2011
gillsoloGillSolo
Rated 19 Dec 2010
100
98th
Such a unique and amazing film. The characters are great and the story is twisted but the best thing about this movie? The great coreographed gun fights.
Rated 19 Dec 2010
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 22 Sep 2010
67
57th
I kinda of liked this gritty no good guys caper film.
Rated 22 Sep 2010
bookhouseboybookhouseboy
Rated 28 Aug 2010
26
21st
#00s(e)#, story, reviews
Rated 28 Aug 2010
jeffvjeff_v
Rated 09 Mar 2010
61
25th
A genuinely weird-ass movie --most reviews wrote it off as a wan Tarantino imitation but beyond the florid dialogue there's not much connection. The action is rather realistic, but the context in which it unfolds is absurd. McQuarrie loads each character up with bags of motivation and scenes bear a mysterious metaphorical weight that never crystalizes into a statement. Allusions to other films pile up until you can barely see the action through the lumps of movie symbology.
Rated 09 Mar 2010
cinemaasiaCinema_Asia
Rated 17 Jan 2010
65
42nd
There is something absurd about seeing Ryan Phillippe in a role as a criminal. He's too Hollywood and clean cut and the partnership between Phillippe and Del Toro also falls flat. The entire kidnapping plot point just isn't compelling. The dialog tries hard to be witty and profound but ends up silly. This movie probably would have been much better without old movie hands like James Caan or well tread actress Juliette Lewis around either. Del Toro was the only actor that belonged.
Rated 17 Jan 2010
joeliusJoelius
Rated 18 Dec 2009
40
59th
Although well light and full of action it was not very gripping or engaging.
Rated 18 Dec 2009
saucyjacksaucyjack
Rated 05 Dec 2009
60
37th
Exceedingly mediocre
Rated 05 Dec 2009
nadihNadiH
Rated 14 Aug 2009
83
54th
a solid cast doing good, interesting work in an otherwise typical action/crime flick.
Rated 14 Aug 2009
isobelmoonIsobelmoon
Rated 16 Dec 2008
71
68th
Violence and a peculiar story.
Rated 16 Dec 2008
egregiusEgregius
Rated 04 Jun 2008
90
77th
One of those movies that spawned up in the wake of Reservoir Dogs and Boondock Saints. Decent dialogue, but excellent action make me rate this one highly. Like someone else noted it has the feel of a western, but mixed with a roadmovie. The violence and action is occasionally even clever. Gives meaning to the term 'gun-fu'.
Rated 04 Jun 2008
cselstoncselston
Rated 11 May 2008
78
71st
Hot off of "The Usual Suspects", Christopher McQuarrie both writes and directs this one (reteaming with the always fantastic Benicio Del Toro). It's not as good but, it would be tough to live up to expectations after such a brilliant film. This is a very enjoyable movie with an opening scene that will blow your mind.
Rated 11 May 2008
spaceflohspacefloh
Rated 27 Apr 2008
44
25th
ger
Rated 27 Apr 2008
miss_jesusmiss jesus
Rated 17 Apr 2008
93
95th
Great movie. Points deducted for the atrocious opening scene with Sarah Silverman, which thankfully does not reflect the tone and content of the rest of the film.
Rated 17 Apr 2008
skiewulfyskiewulfy
Rated 15 Mar 2008
90
99th
This is a western told from the perspective of the villains, though there isn't a character who you could consider clean. The closest thing we have to a good guy is James Caan as a used up gangster, the only character trying to defuse things. The interaction between him and Del Torro is one of scenes that really makes the film. There's a great score, evocative of epic westerns and some clever action that punctuates the escalation.
Rated 15 Mar 2008
robotjazzrobotjazz
Rated 05 Feb 2008
30
11th
Couldn't even finish it, and I always finish movies.
Rated 05 Feb 2008
brenevBrenev
Rated 27 Nov 2007
100
99th
Rare movie with both a complete story and lots of action. Starts off with comedy and slowly eases into the action all while telling an interesting story.
Rated 27 Nov 2007
chaznableChAznable
Rated 27 Nov 2007
100
96th
There is no other greatness! A great comidic opening! following up with some of the greatest gun play scenes in film history! Follow more comedy! Follow even better Gun play!!! NOW, add some amazing quotes throughout the entire movie! Then, the cast adds a whole new flare to the movie, making it seem as though they are all actually enjoying there work! Every time you watch this film you catch more on the plot! Showing an even more indepth plot line that is absolutely brilliant!
Rated 27 Nov 2007
aarona1caarona1c
Rated 02 Nov 2007
40
35th
It's not horrible, bit it ain't great.
Rated 02 Nov 2007
dustydDustyd
Rated 17 Sep 2007
70
63rd
the pace is off at times, but this is a ballsy and occasionally smart action film with a hint of western
Rated 17 Sep 2007
mistersplicemistersplice
Rated 28 Aug 2007
85
91st
8+ excellent
Rated 28 Aug 2007
stflyst_fly
Rated 21 Aug 2007
80
80th
Excellent mega-violent Benicio del Toro vehicle.
Rated 21 Aug 2007
fudgiebfudgieb
Rated 17 Aug 2007
79
39th
I liked it enough to buy it, but I don't think I've watched it more than once.
Rated 17 Aug 2007
spoonerspotspoonerspot
Rated 14 Aug 2007
76
36th
Fun. Benecio Del Toro is great and James Caan is his usual excellence. Ryan Phillipe is damn lucky to be married to Reese Witherspoon.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 14 Aug 2007
65
51st
Not bad at all, but not exceptional in any way. It is what it is, and more or less exactly what you expect it to be.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
auritechauritech
Rated 14 Aug 2007
19
8th
A meandering, senseless mess which doesn't really exist as a film until the last twenty minutes, and even then it doesn't make any sense. Most of the film is just talk, and you can't even understand what they're saying.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
corncabreCornCabre
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
79th
An excellent, mostly off-the-radar neo-Western. The two anti-heroes are a perfect mixture of cool and bumbling, right up to the climactic old person shoot-out.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
yilbyilb
Rated 14 Aug 2007
40
25th
Pretty exciting & interesting, although i felt as is the plot was feigning intricacies that weren't really there. Sometimes i had no idea what people were talking about, as if they were preaching some nonsense philosophy. Not much here except some nasty gunfights & nasty people. For a picture with little or no moral core, I'm wishing for a couple more deaths.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
serethSereth
Rated 14 Aug 2007
49
27th
in truth this movie was kinda boring but iv got to say that the opening scene really makes me remember it fondly. sarah silverman is so awesome
Rated 14 Aug 2007
ozymandius10ozymandius10
Rated 14 Aug 2007
50
21st
Cool gunfights....and that's about it. The consistency is horrible in this movie, and it's got awful (if any) character development. More holes in the story than swiss cheese. You'd think the guy who wrote The Usual Suspects could do a little bit better. Guess not.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
beneBene
Rated 06 Aug 2007
82
86th
This is why we can’t have nice things! 22 years later I am still bitter this wasn’t a bigger deal. Extremely well constructed, written and acted, it doesn’t give it’s thrills away easily, but rather boils and boils until it all comes down in one of the better American showdowns of all time. WotG, you gave us M:I6 but I wish you’d given us 20 more movies like you.
Rated 06 Aug 2007
skenkereSkenkere
Rated 23 Jun 2007
79
83rd
I expected a straightforward action movie and got a lot more. The plot is complex and intricate with lots of players, hidden motives and twists, and the action can be pretty unique. There are some really cleverly done scenes in this, like the car "chase" sequence. Lot of humor, lots of action, and its fairly original throughout as well. I'm surprised more people haven't seen this, I think its pretty damn good.
Rated 23 Jun 2007
woozybWoozyB
Rated 14 Jun 2007
70
32nd
The thing that ruins this film the most is Juliette Lewis' gross, grimacing, sweaty face in like half of it.
Rated 14 Jun 2007
wuijiboboWuijibobo
Rated 05 Mar 2007
40
19th
The opening scene is fantastic, the rest of the film is pretty forgettable.
Rated 05 Mar 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 01 Mar 2007
55
49th
Good film.
Rated 01 Mar 2007
projektProjekt
Rated 14 Dec 2006
90
65th
I should rate this movie a perfect 100 just for the opening scene. Happily, the rest of the movie is fantastic as well.
Rated 14 Dec 2006

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