“The reward is in the risk.” - Rachel Cohn
Hating the first Den of Thieves is easy to understand. I could have seen it as nothing more than a lesser ripoff of Michael Mann’s Heat and I don’t think many would disagree. While the similarities are obvious, the director is definitely a fan, I chose to see it as an homage, a love letter of sorts while in my opinion still maintaining enough of its own identity. It is in many aspects a forgettable action flick but the interesting character dynamics combined with thrilling action sequences make it something not simply to be looked over with disregard.
It is a spiritual successor to the movies it pulls from without ever trying to be them. Having watched it many times now I can say it’s a worthwhile endeavor that now features a competently made sequel. I’ve been anticipating the continuation of Gerard Butler’s other franchise, The Fallen Series and having seen Den of Thieves 2: Pantera I’m now eagerly awaiting a third entry into the Den of Thieves mythos.
The final forty minutes of part one are exhilarating, featuring stellar gun fights, a tension fueled heist and a twist that leaves your head spinning with questions begging to be answered. Now, in Pantera those questions will be revealed as the ever stubborn Nick goes international to find the only person to win against him in a game of cat and mouse, cops and robbers. Donnie is deep into his next heist when Big Nick comes knocking but much to Donnie’s dismay, Nick offers his assistance rather than a pair of handcuffs and a flight back to the states. With no other options, Donnie divulges the details of his next caper and their European summer begins. Imagine the most hostile bromance conceivable and you’ll begin to understand.
I think in the right roles Gerard Butler is fantastic and as Big Nick he has potentially found his cinematic magnum opus. The shit-talking, swill drinking, foul-mouthed and unquestionably dirty L.A. County Sheriff’s Department detective feels like an excuse for Butler to be as haggard and ill-behaved as possible. Nick is a character that gives into his baser urges at every opportunity. He is a line drawn in the sand that will give warning not to step over but if crossed he will violate your well-being in just about every conceivable way. And he’ll get away with it too. Butler seems to take great pride in playing this character, finding the funnier side of rights violations and unregulated gunplay.
O’Shea Jackson Jr. is able to find the more cunning aspects of Donnie this time around, characteristics that were forced to operate from the shadows up until the very end of the first film. Like Keyser Söze losing his limp and revealing his true identity as he makes his escape, Donnie’s big reveal as the patsy member turned actual mastermind creates a wonderfully dramatic reunion when Big Nick returns like the proverbial monkey wrench in Donnie’s plans. Reminiscent of the diner scene in Heat, Pacino on one side, De Niro on the other, discussing their similarities and profound differences as an air of palpable tension looms over them, Donnie sitting across from a meddlesome and jubilant Big Nick revealing their true nature to one another is the turning point of the story and when things truly kick off.
Something that has brought me back for repeated viewings of the first film are the action sequences that showcase realistic gun handling, tactical maneuvering and breathtaking single takes highlighting the consequences at stake for both sides of the badge. The opening armored vehicle theft and the final confrontation between Nick and the Merrimen crew is all thrillingly visceral. While Pantera is a worthy sequel, my biggest issue is the lack of action, instead opting for a more heist driven storyline rather than following it up with a misfortunate turn of events. It’s more about if they can get away with it rather than trying to outsmart one another although things come to light proving all may not be as it seems. It’s as thrilling as the first; it just achieves it all very differently. You could say in many ways it’s a much more character driven game of conflicting mindsets trying to outmaneuver one another as they speed dangerously toward a finish line.
In Den of Thieves it was a game of muscle. The brutish Big Nick up against the alpha ex-con Merrimen. Pantera is a combination of efforts between Nick and Donnie to achieve their ultimate goal. I think in some way Donnie is bracing for Nick to turn but proceeds regardless having no other options and an indescribable desire to do the jobs no one else dares to dream of trying. They are each slaves to their baser instincts, Donnie pulls off the ultimate capers and Nick hunts anyone daring enough to make the attempt.
They are as Hanna and McCauley sitting across from one another, discovering that if life simply went another way for each of them perhaps things would be different and they might be friends. But of course Donnie must be Donnie and Nick must be Big Nick. Their complicated and nuanced relationship is the driving force of Pantera which is allowed to grow and evolve into something far more interesting and complex than simply good guy versus bad guy. Together they are hilariously odd couple-esque showing both respect and resentment toward one another that both frustrates each of them and intrigues them despite their better instincts telling them to cut ties. They kind of hate each other but can’t deny they just might truly need one another to survive.
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera lacks the physical thrills that part one provided but what it lacks in gun fights and fisticuffs it makes up for with thrilling heist sequences, European car chases and betrayal that could only happen amongst thieves for which there is no honor. I commend the film for not trying to make a carbon copy of part one, but rather maintaining its spirit while heading in a different direction opening up the story to reveal a bigger world beyond the obvious where the consequences of their actions just might be more severe than a prison cell.
Rated R For: pervasive language, some violence, drug use and sexual references
Runtime: 146 minutes
After Credits Scene: No
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Starring: Gerard Butler, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Evin Ahmad, Nazmiye Oral
Directed By: Christian Gudegast
Out of 10
Story: 8.5/ Acting: 8.5/ Directing: 8/ Visuals: 9
OVERALL: 8.5/10
Buy to Own: Yes.
Check out the trailer below: