Den of Thieves 2: Pantera Review – A Heist Thriller Worth Waiting For
Seven years may seem like a long time to wait for a sequel, but for fans of the original heist thriller, Den of Thieves, it’s a gap that feels justified. The first film, released in 2018, was a medium-sized hit in cinemas, grossing around $80 million (£61m) at the global box office. However, it found its enduring fanbase on streaming and Blu-ray in the years following its release, joining the likes of Michael Mann’s Heat (1995) and Ben Affleck’s The Town (2008) in the canon of endlessly rewatchable cops-and-robbers films.
According to a review by The Big Issue, the original film’s writer and director, Christian Gudegast, took some critical knocks for studying the Heat blueprint perhaps a little too closely, pitting a hard-charging cop (Gerard Butler) against a ruthlessly competent bank robber (Pablo Schrieber) in the industrial sprawl of Los Angeles. However, as The Big Issue notes, Gudegast added a late-stage twist that recast the preceding action in a whole new light, making the film more than just a straightforward heist thriller. "You assumed you were watching a pretty decent Heat cover version; turns out there was a wicked sprinkling of The Usual Suspects in there too," the publication writes.
Gudegast is back in the director’s chair for Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, and The Big Issue reports that the film feels like a fresh start, with a new subtitle inspired by the real-life "Pink Panthers" organised crime network of European jewel thieves. The sequel picks up where the original left off, with Donnie Wilson (O’Shea Jackson Jr) seemingly getting away clean after outsmarting belligerent sheriff ‘Big Nick’ O’Brien (Butler). However, a slickly executed robbery at Antwerp airport is enough to get Big Nick’s attention, and he soon tracks Donnie to the Eurozone.
The plot thickens as Donnie and his new Pantera-affiliated crew plan a bigger score, sizing up a seemingly impregnable diamond exchange in Nice. Big Nick catches up with him, but instead of arresting Donnie, he offers to team up with him for a heist that could be worth €850m (£740m). As The Big Issue notes, one of the disreputable joys of the first film was seeing Butler devour the scenery as a sweaty, swaggering thug who just happened to have a sheriff’s badge. He retains that Big Nick energy for the sequel, rubbing everyone up the wrong way and having great fun mispronouncing "croissant".
The dynamic between Donnie and Big Nick is at the heart of Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, and The Big Issue reports that their frenemies relationship is as compelling as ever. The film’s success relies heavily on the chemistry between the leads, and according to The Big Issue, they deliver. The publication writes: "That might not seem to be the right temperament for a break-in that requires cool heads and precision timing but Big Nick thrives in his new vocation, particularly when flirting with glam ringleader ‘Cleopatra’ (Evin Ahmad)."
As The Big Issue concludes, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is a heist thriller worth waiting for. With its intricate plot, memorable characters, and impressive action sequences, it’s a film that will keep you on the edge of your seat. As the publication notes, "It’s exhausting" being a hunter, but for fans of the original, it’s worth waiting for. The sequel is a worthy follow-up to the original, and The Big Issue is right to call it a "macho Bubble Bath" to luxuriate within.
The film’s themes of loyalty, power, and deception are timely and thought-provoking, making Den of Thieves 2: Pantera more than just a mindless heist film. As The Big Issue writes, the film’s exploration of these themes is what makes it so compelling. With its talented cast, including Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr, and its expert direction from Christian Gudegast, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is a must-see for fans of the genre.
In conclusion, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is a thrilling heist film that is well worth the seven-year wait. With its engaging plot, memorable characters, and impressive action sequences, it’s a film that will keep you entertained from start to finish. As The Big Issue so aptly puts it, the film is a "wicked sprinkling" of heist thrills, and fans of the genre won’t be disappointed.
Source: https://www.bigissue.com/culture/film/den-of-thieves-2-pantera-review/
