Way of the Gun, The

Two callous petty criminals (Ryan Phillippe and Benicio Del Toro) making paid deposits at a sperm bank learn of a $1 million deal between a surrogate mother (Juliette Lewis) and a rich Southwestern businessman and his trophy wife. They kidnap the expectant young woman, hold the unborn child for ransom and are chased into Mexico by relentless bodyguards (Taye Diggs and Nicky Katt) and mobsters (including James Caan and Geoffrey Lewis). This bullet-riddled domino effect of surprise complications, deception, duplicitous relationships, and mayhem is vintage Peckinpah (The Wild Bunch, Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia) and Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs) minus the compelling characters. Written and directed by The Usual Suspects scribe Christopher McQuarrie.