The Way of the Gun [Blu-ray]

This is such an awesome, yet underrated movie with a phenomenal cast. Benicio Del Toro, Ryan Phillipe, Juliette Lewis, Geoffrey Lewis, James Caan, Taye Diggs, and Scott Wilson (most recently of Walking Dead fame) round out a stellar cast and a really cool movie concept. Parker (Phillipe) and Longbaugh (Del Toro) are the anti-heroes in this movie in which they take on a kidnapping detail only to find out that she (Juliette Lewis) is the surrogate mother for a powerful business man (Wilson) who sends his mercenaries/bodyguards (Diggs included) to retrieve her. A wicked game of cat and mouse ensues between the kidnappers and the bodyguards all the while James Caan's character attempts a more methodical recovery operation for his boss.Everyone involved with the storyline are professionals. Parker and Longbaugh are professional criminals, while Taye Diggs and his crew are professional mercenaries/bodyguards. James Caan is a professional bag man that has been around the block a few times and probably should have died a few times over, making James Caan's character a total bad ass, although I would expect nonetheless from Mr. Sonny Corleone ;-)Finally, one thing that I appreciate the most being a former Infantry Marine, is the use of cover and tactics as well as weapons discipline and shot accountability. Christopher McQuarrie, the writer and director of the movie, hired his brother, who happens to be a Navy SEAL, as a technical advisor for weapons handling and the gun fight scenes. So I LOVE the use of trigger and weapon discipline (keeping your finger straight and off the trigger until you're ready to fire and never point a weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot), proper room clearing tactics, covering and maneuvering, as well as accountability for all shots fired. The one exception to that last item is in one of the last scenes/shootouts when Parker and Longbaugh go ape-shit with their shots which, according to the director/writer, was a tribute to shoot 'em up flicks.A lot of the concepts in this movie are implied and never spoken, so it's easy to get lost with this movie the first time you watch it. I'll admit I got a little lost the first time I watched it, but when I watched it a second time I was right in the mix with things and the movie just gets better and better each time you watch it. This movie is well worth the money, so add it to your cart and enjoy!

Firstly, I rarely dislike a movie with Juliette Lewis in it. She's so genuine and emotionally accurate in her portrayals of characters. I don't always want to see an action movie more than once. Sometimes they just lose their excitement after the first watch and the lines are very simple. I enjoy the depth to this movie and I don't understand the reviewers that say this movie made no sense. It all made sense to me and leaves you with a bittersweet feeling at the end. I also like the comments involving God and why Parker brings speaking to God before death to begin with. Most of the time every criminal is characterized as a character that never feels anything when there are still people inside certain individuals that commit crimes, whether you want to believe that or not.

It’s just so cool when they shoot stuff

I gave this movie four stars because it was worth more than three. I'm not sure it was worth four. For one thing, if you buy this movie because you loved *The Usual Suspects*, you'll be a tad disappointed. *TUS* is a better movie. Sorry Chris. I know from listening to the commentary track on the DVD that this kind of criticism really steams McQuarrie, and that's understandable because the movie ought to be seen without those kind of expectations.But watching the movie twice helped me separate the two films and appreciate this one all the more. The movie just overflows with the talent and subtelty of its performers. Not just the actors. The score is fantastic. The lighting, photography and look of the movie is always interesting. And the set pieces are really well drawn.On the other hand, the screenplay lacks a center of gravity. The two main characters (played expertly by del Toro and Phillipe) keep you guessing, and, ultimately, leave you guessing. The supporting parts are more grounded, but there's still something missing. The 'revelation' at the end is not all that satisfying, although it does make sense of some of the clues that the movie dropped along the way. I would have been more surpised had I been more fully (un)prepared for it. The Juliette Lewis-character's motives, for instance, could have been made more clear, and ultimately a little more devestating. As it is, however, I was kind of left holding my ... er... remote.But it's still a helluva lot more interesting to give over an evening to watching this movie than the kind of drivel that apparently makes the Academy members wet their pants. (*Gladiator* for best picture??????) Bottom Line: I'm glad to own this film. It repays several viewings. Here's why:1) The actors. Benicio del Toro is sublime. ("You don't want to be touched by guys like us. It's creepy.") Ryan Phillipe turns out a suprisingly subtle and thoughtful performance. (I say suprising because of his rep as a teen idol. But remember Johnny Depp?) Juliette Lewis can do anything. You will feel her pain. And her father, Jeffrey Lewis is, as always, much fun to watch. Ditto James Caan, and the guy who plays Dr. Alan Painter (sorry; can't remember his name).2) It grows on you. Watch it twice right off the bat. Also, definitely listen to the commentary track. If you can get over the not too understated bitterness of the film-maker that this movie was a box-office flop, you'll still find much to learn about the collaborative process of making a film. You'll also get a sense of what the movie could have been had it not been RUTHLESSLY over-edited. (But don't get your hopes up about Baltimore. You'll have to figure that out yourself.)

Top CD. Guter Zustand

映画って今やりたいことが表現出来る「場」ですね。製作費が必要ですが。

Great cast and writing produce an action-packed gem in this modern-day outlaw film. Ryan and Benicio are a killer duo and are both tremendously believable in their roles as guys who have stepped off of the path. Unwilling to play ball they take what they want, and deep down in the places in our souls that "we don't talk about at parties", viewers will ask themselves "who wouldn't want to do that?"

I have never seen a bad movie with Benicio Del Toro, Licence to Kill does come close though. A brilliant actor who can convey menace with just a look, no expression, just a thousand yard stare to chill the spine. Ryan Phillippe could be seen as a lightweight alongside BDT, but he holds his own very well. Together, this story of itinerant gunslingers looking for their next score is great. James Caan shows he's still got the moxy as an old style mob 'bag man'. An above average story brilliantly played by the whole cast and propelled along by a great score. The finale is a modern reimagining of Butch & Sundance meet the Wild Bunch, visceral, bloody and completely believable (well done armourers and tech advisors).

This movie is one of those that I go back to every so often to watch. Fantastic dialogue, great action scenes and a lot of tension make for a compelling viewing every time.