When Christian Gudegast’s Den of Thieves hit theaters in 2018, it was met with blended critiques. Whereas some viewers praised the movie’s gritty motion and Warmth-impressed heist sequences, others criticized the movie for its bloated runtime, generic and predictable plot, and underdeveloped characters. The outcome? A lukewarm 41% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Quick-forward to precisely seven years later, and its sequel, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, has debuted and likewise made its manner onto streaming platforms. The sequel has managed to construct upon the unique, and, drawing on the positives of the primary movie, now boasts a extra respectable 63% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera sees Gerard Butler’s case-hardened detective, “Massive Nick” O’Brien, pursue mastermind Donnie Wilson (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) throughout Europe. Slightly than sticking to the primary movie’s method, which stayed native and noticed Nick on the right facet of the regulation, Den of Thieves 2 takes the high-stakes motion to a recent, worldwide location and provides a layer of complexity to Nick. In doing so, the sequel movie delivers a sharper story, stronger character improvement, and sharper execution of its narrative.
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera
3
/5
- Launch Date
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January 10, 2025
- Runtime
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144 minutes
- Director
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Christian Gudegast
- Writers
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Christian Gudegast
‘Den of Thieves 2: Pantera’ Makes Daring Shifts That Work
One of many greatest enhancements that Den of Thieves 2 makes to its storyline has to do with the tone, pacing, and execution of the heist-thriller method. Whereas the unique movie was gritty and extra severe, seemingly attempting too arduous to emulate Warmth, the sequel trims off the frills and tightens its narrative whereas nonetheless delivering the motion and depth that followers anticipate from the movie. Critics have taken observe of this enchancment, with JD Duran of InSession Movie saying:
“Den of Thieves 2: Pantera does not regurgitate the method of its predecessor. Taking its story to Europe, the movie modifications model and tone as effectively. If the primary Den of Thieves is a mashup of Warmth and Ocean’s Eleven, that is extra akin to Ocean’s Twelve.”
Furthermore, the sequel movie additionally makes a tonal adjustment by mixing motion with comedy, a extra refreshing method compared to the primarily severe method adopted by the primary movie. Doing so has allowed the sequel to really feel lighter, extra partaking, and in the end extra entertaining regardless of the nerve-wracking heist that takes heart stage within the movie. Den of Thieves 2‘s resolution to go worldwide has additionally contributed to the general aura of the movie, making the sequel really feel larger and extra thrilling in comparison with its predecessor.
‘Den of Thieves 2: Pantera’ Has Stronger Character Improvement and Chemistry
A movie’s success most frequently will depend on how effectively it builds its characters, and this was one of many best shortcomings of the primary Den of Thieves movie. Critics slammed the movie for its “lack of likeable characters” and “poor character improvement”. Nonetheless, Den of Thieves 2 has but once more realized from the errors of its predecessor, affording extra time to develop its characters and the dynamics between them.
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How ‘Den of Thieves 2’ Connects to the First Film
Regardless of going down in France, the sequel continues the primary movie’s narrative in a reasonably cohesive manner.
The most important enchancment in characterization is within the depiction of Butler’s Nick. Whereas the primary movie noticed Nick as a primarily rugged, hard-drinking detective, the sequel offers the character extra depth. Whereas he nonetheless retains his force-to-be-reckoned-with nature, the sequel’s Nick has a way of self-awareness whereas nonetheless sustaining his edge. The added humor in his characterization, particularly in his interactions with Donnie, helps Nick’s character turn out to be extra relatable and interesting. Commenting on Butler and his character, Globe and Mail critic Barry Hertz stated:
“In your entire oeuvre of cinema du Gerard Butler, there has by no means been such an ideal marriage between actor and character, man and moniker. Massive Nick won’t perceive a lick of French, however Butler is solely parfait.”
Including to the enchantment of the movie over its predecessor, the chemistry between Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr.’s characters is way stronger in Den of Thieves 2. Whereas the unique movie noticed their dynamic confined to the usual cop vs. legal rivalry, the sequel movie presents their relationship as extra layered and complicated, as the 2 type an uneasy alliance. The movie takes its time in creating and exploring the connection between the duo, creating a way of real camaraderie, in order that when the stunning ending with its deceitful betrayal rolls round, viewers are left all of the extra impacted. Along with the characters of Nick and Donnie, the sequel additionally takes time to flesh out its supporting forged, maintaining the main focus tighter and making certain that every character serves a objective within the narrative.
‘Den of Thieves 2: Pantera’ Makes Donnie A Compelling Antihero
Whereas the unique Den of Thieves movie centered totally on Gerard Butler’s hard-nosed detective, Den of Thieves 2 brings O’Shea Jackson Jr.’s Donnie right into a a lot larger position — and the sequel turns into that a lot better for it. Whereas Donnie was overshadowed by the larger-than-life presence of Massive Nick within the 2018 movie, the sequel portrays Donnie as a full-fledged antihero.
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After ‘Den of Thieves 2,’ You Want To Stream Gerard Butler’s Divisive 2009 Crime Thriller
Gerard Butler went epically toe-to-toe with Jamie Foxx within the pulse-pounding crime thriller sensation ‘Legislation Abiding Citizen.’
The sequel zeroes in on Donnie’s expertise, portraying him not as a mere thief however as an clever legal mastermind. As a substitute of a story the place Nick is essentially the predator with Donnie being the prey, Den of Thieves 2 places Donnie able to problem Butler’s character. By molding Donnie right into a compelling antihero, one who is ready to function in a high-stakes, high-tension surroundings that calls for extra than simply fast pondering, Den of Thieves 2 units up a path for the character in future installments. The truth is, given the ending of Den of Thieves 2, it’s probably that Donnie will take heart stage in a future Den of Thieves movie.
The improved crucial and viewers reception of Den of Thieves 2: Pantera establishes the sequel movie because the superior installment. With a stronger script, extra partaking storytelling, and fleshed-out characters, Den of Thieves 2 proves that second follow-up movies can generally outdo originals, offered they’re prepared to be taught from the shortcomings of their predecessors.
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is now out there to stream on Netflix.