By: Hunter Montroy

Written & Directed by: Christian Gudegast

Starring: Gerard Butler, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Evin Ahmad, Salvatore Esposito, Meadow Williams, Swen Temmel, Orli Shuka

Heading into Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, I was honestly expecting more of the same as the first film. However, I was pleasantly surprised to leave the theater having watched a far more patient and methodical movie. Don’t expect the same level of action and shootouts that the first Den of Thieves delivered—this sequel takes a different approach. That isn’t a criticism, though. I actually loved the change of pace. Writer and director Christian Gudegast resisted the temptation to use a larger budget to create mindless action or deliver a “safe” sequel. Instead, he crafted something more deliberate. That said, I think many viewers might feel let down by Pantera because of how it fills its 144-minute runtime. Audiences today often lack the patience for slow burns, which is exactly why I find this sequel so refreshing.

I will admit, I like the first movie more. It feels like a modern-day Heat in some way and truly gives me everything I want from a heist/crime/action movie. The first Den of Thieves is so ripe with cool shit and some dudes who are just assholes planning the most complex heist ever while getting into shootouts. Truly, what is not to love? 

The sequel here delivers on some gunfights but far less. Those who have seen the first entry will probably assume this movie is going to get hopping into the fast-paced action immediately as Pantera opens with a heist being performed just like the first movie. After this opening, the film takes a more slow-burning and methodical approach, saving its big heist for much later.

Once I got out of the theater, I was thinking about how different Pantera feels. The first entry is heavily inspired by Heat, and I was thinking about what Pantera feels like it’s inspired by, and as I read Brian Tallerico’s thoughts, he nailed it by comparing it to Ronin. Ronin is a big focus of who you can trust when it comes to your mashup of teammates looking to complete a job. Trust falters, people betray you, and things can fall apart.

Despite its lengthy runtime, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera doesn’t feel like a 144-minute movie—at least not on a first viewing. The time really flies by. That said, in hindsight, some scenes do feel like filler and could have been cut without much impact, although I would like to revisit and confirm my thoughts as I heavily changed my opinion of the first movie when I revisited it.

Compared to its predecessor, Pantera does feel a bit messier. Certain story elements seem out of place or don’t entirely make sense, almost as if they were included solely to set up a third entry in the franchise.

I think Den of Thieves 2: Pantera pretty much rocks. Much like the first, it makes you feel like a badass watching some badass motherfuckers do some badass stuff.

FINAL RATING: 3.5/5