User Score
8.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Negative: 0 out of 23

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  1. Apr 12, 2013
    7
    It does seem a bit sloppy at times, The Way of the Gun is an entertaining thrill ride not to mention a perfect screen couple of Benicio del Toro and Ryan Phillippe.
  2. Dec 17, 2012
    8
    This is very good film. The cast is awesome. The first scene hilarious, and plenty of other good ones. The middle does drag a bit, so, that keeps it down a notch. But Del Toro, Phillipe, and such, are all so good.
  3. ApocalypseBrown
    Feb 3, 2007
    9
    What makes me sick is when critics love shite films and pan excellent ones! Fortunately this follows in that tradition. This film will give you what you want to take from it - from violence, intrigue, warmth and humor, it packs it all. And considering the emotional ride it takes the viewer on, it is easy to over-looked its small yet silly faults. Ok Caan and the lover of Juliette Lewis (Dr dude) performances weren't memorable, but the rest of the cast coupled with the slow yet tense car chase scene and the dramatic shoot-outs leave you almost breathless. I am not a critic who is paid to give bad scores, so nine reflects the quality of this venture! 'What you gonna tell God now'? Expand
  4. KrisA.
    Jun 16, 2006
    10
    Great action movie. Exciting all the way through, and it has my favourite opening scene of all time. Watch the first scene if nothing else.
  5. PhilN.
    Jun 1, 2006
    8
    I love this film... it has its flaws, but I honestly can't see why it is so underrated. The principle characters are despicable and there's no justification for their actions... that's partly the point of the film, and is - to me - an honest and realistic way to depict violence (far preferable to action movies in which we're asked to forget, forgive or applaud the various deaths the protagonists cause), yet it seems to be a common criticism of this film. I just don't understand that way of thinking. It seems to me the intentional coldness and amorality seen in this movie is way out of fashion now - had it appeared in the 70s, would it have been a classic like Point Blank? The film has some truly excellent dialogue (and non-verbal communication), but it has to be said that McQuarrie got a bit carried away at times and some of the lines are just too oblique to be understood or too "clever" to be believable. And, while their motivation is clear, Parker & Longbaugh's tactics in the final action scene are questionable, their approach somewhat less intelligent than we should expect from them. But in my opinion these are negligible flaws next to the film's strengths - not least, some of the finest firefights ever filmed. All performances from biggest to smallest are absolutely spot-on, and the score is wonderful. I would say, if you're a fan of 70s films like The Getaway or Bullit that are appreciated for their bleak and unpleasant qualities, then you'll probably get a kick out of Way Of The Gun. I wish there were more crime/action movies like it. Expand
  6. ChrisG.
    May 6, 2006
    8
    Finally, a caper flick starring criminals who aren't either too funny, too scary, or too emotional to believe. Love the slow, quiet alley car chase and unspoken communication between the two. Subtle. No wonder the critics panned it.
  7. C-dub
    Dec 6, 2004
    7
    Love the genre, but too many twists for it's own good. Benicio Del Toro is the best I've ever seen him. But whomever cast James Caan should be spanked - Caan stunk in nearly all of his scenes and dragged the whole movie down.
  8. CloudStrife
    Aug 19, 2003
    9
    One of the best shoot-em up's I've seen. Unfortunantly it gets horribly underated by the critics. You really get the feel for Longbaugh's and Parker's struggle through the movie.
  9. HowardT.
    Nov 30, 2002
    9
    Best movie I've seen as an adult. Period. Those vaguely familiar with G.I. Gurdjieff might think of his paths to enlightenment: the way of the monk, the way of the fakir, the way of the warrior. Now there's the way of the gun. I love the way these two punks are trying to find salvation and meaning - rationalization - for their ridiculously pathetic lives. This is deeper than your avearge bear stuff, and wickedly clever and fun, too. Collapse
  10. OJS.
    Nov 11, 2002
    9
    Aside from an opening scene which although was quite funny, had nothing to do with the entire film, this movie was well done, with twists and turns leaving me wanting to watch more. A great crime thriller.
  11. Rev.S.
    Oct 28, 2001
    9
    Great damn movie. I've always been a huge fan of outlaw and western movies and this one combined the genres of western and gangster perfectly. Despite what they say about "half-hearted proverbs" that Parker and Longbauh keep saying, they were all great and very appropriate. "Until that day..." Come on.. it's great.
  12. MystaMajestik
    Aug 25, 2001
    9
    Probably one of the coolest movies no one has ever seen.
  13. RyanM.
    Jun 6, 2001
    7
    It's a suprise that McQuarrie didn't make anither "great" film like "The Usual Susepcts." But this still seems to hold it's ground with another stemwinding performance by Benicio Del Toro.
  14. John-DonB.
    Apr 14, 2001
    10
    A tuck the gat low, cut your cash flow kick ass movie.
  15. AnthonyT.
    Apr 9, 2001
    10
    This is the greatest movie of all time.
  16. BenziN.
    Mar 9, 2001
    10
    New kind of setting for movie makers everywhere. Great characters. Great plot. Gotta have patience and imagination.
Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 30
  2. Negative: 6 out of 30
  1. Edgy, hard-boiled crime drama that is very much in this Tarantino-esque tradition.
  2. A confused, empty, only occasionally funny mess of a movie.
  3. 58
    A movie that drags.