The Way of the Gun (2000)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Christopher McQuarrie

Writer (WGA):

Christopher McQuarrie (written by)

Release Date:

8 September 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Plot:

Two criminal drifters without sympathy get more than they bargained for after kidnapping and holding for ransom the surrogate mother of a powerful and shady man.

Plot Keywords:

Surrogate Mother | Ransom | Mexico | Kidnapping | Ambush

Cast

Ryan Phillippe	...	Mr. Parker
Benicio Del Toro	...	Mr. Longbaugh
Juliette Lewis	...	Robin
Taye Diggs	...	Jeffers
Nicky Katt	...	Obecks
Geoffrey Lewis	...	Abner Mercer
Dylan Kussman	...	Dr. Allen Painter
Scott Wilson	...	Hale Chidduck
Kristin Lehman	...	Francesca Chidduck
James Caan	...	Joe Sarno
Henry Griffin	...	P. Whipped
Armando Guerrero	...	Federale #1 (as Mando Guerrero)
Andres Orozco	...	Federale #2
Jan Jensen	...	Receptionist
José Pérez	...	? (as Jose Perez)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence/gore, language and some sexuality.

Runtime:

119 min | Spain:120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

Iceland:16 | South Korea:18 | Philippines:R-18 | USA:R (certificate #37339) | Netherlands:16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 | Germany:18 | Hong Kong:IIB | Mexico:C | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Spain:18 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | Singapore:PG (cut)

Filming Locations:

Abandoned Gas Station, Skull Valley, Utah, USA

Company:

Artisan Entertainment

Trivia:

The original painting by "Oliver Dear", that is hanging in the Mexican brothel scene was originally painted and used in the TV movie Purgatory (1999) (TV).

Goofs:

Errors in geography: At the end of the film, after the shoot out at the motel, Parker and Longbaugh wonder why the doctor, followed by Abner, went south. When we see the two cars that are supposedly headed "south," we can see the sun rising behind the cars, to the drivers' right, which would mean that they are heading north, as the sun rises in the east.

Quotes:

Longbaugh: Until that day then?
Joe Sarno: Until that day.

Movie Connections:

References Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Soundtrack:

Esperanza

Violence Galore!

For any action movie fans out there that love shoot-outs that hinder on the brink of insanity then this movie is for you. The plot was hard to understand in some parts yet it was still good and sometimes the motives were beyond the viewer's grasp but it still flowed well regardless. There were some kick ass quotes as needed in this genre of film and James Caan was simply awesome in his role as an aging bag-man. While I'm not a huge fan of Ryan Phillippe he actually was passable as this character and utilized a suiting accent. Benicio Del Toro was probably the best as his expressions and just the way he says things is unbeatable. Even though it was two hours long it seemed like only half that, so overall it's a great watch. My only warning is that if you're included in the faint of heart then this probably is one to avoid as this was definitely a dab of the good OL' ultra-violence!

Final Say:

Movies: Would've been enjoyable to see it there.

DVD Purchase: Based on how low it's currently priced I probably won't be able to help myself.

Rental: Come on, you know you want to!!!