How Pantera Units Up A New Quick And Livid

Main spoilers for “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” observe.

When “Den of Thieves” arrived in 2018, many described it as a type of low-rent, dirtbag model of Michael Mann’s “Warmth.” I, too, have mentioned roughly the identical factor in regards to the movie — however I say so lovingly. I am a giant fan of “Den of Thieves,” a film about large males firing large weapons and that includes Gerard Butler as Large Nick O’Brien, a cop who all the time appears to be hungover it doesn’t matter what time of day it’s. Director Christian Gudegast’s movie was ceaselessly spinoff (not solely does it closely borrow stuff from “Warmth,” but it surely has a twist ending nearly shamelessly stolen from “The Traditional Suspects”), and but, it was additionally a complete blast. I used to be excited when a sequel was introduced all the way in which again in 2018, and now that the sequel, “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,” is right here, I am simply as excited for what comes subsequent. 

Whereas a 3rd movie hasn’t been formally introduced but, “Den of Thieves 2” ends in a means that leaves loads of room for extra. On high of that, whereas chatting with ScreenRant, Gudegast mentioned: “[W]e’re constructing a franchise, so we’ve got extra room and time to discover these guys. We have already got a lot left to do…” The implication is evident: there’s extra Large Nick to come back. Curiously sufficient, “Den of Thieves 2” modifications the general method to this world of cops and robbers. As a result of if the primary “Den of Thieves” felt like dirtbag “Warmth,” then the case might be made that “Den of Thieves 2” and probably “Den of Thieves 3” are akin to the dirtbag variations of the “Quick and Livid” saga. 

I’ve by no means a lot cared for the “Quick and Livid” collection. I’ve tried on a number of instances to get into the movies, primarily as a result of so many individuals I respect inform me they’re loads of enjoyable. However strive as I would, I simply cannot muster up the keenness. That mentioned, I respect the franchise’s world-building, making a story of a bunch of crooks who bond collectively like a household to drag more and more ludicrous jobs. And by the point “Den of Thieves 2” ends, it seems like that is the precise method that Gudegast is striving in the direction of.

In “Den of Thieves,” Butler’s Large Nick fronted a crew of cops concentrating on a gang of financial institution robbers. Nick thought he had the drop on the crooks by flipping their getaway driver, Donnie (O’Shea Jackson Jr.), to develop into an informant. However by the point the movie ended, the tables had turned. After a violent shootout that left a number of individuals lifeless, Nick made the invention that Donnie wasn’t some low-on-the-totem-pole driver — he was really the mastermind who put collectively the movie’s climactic heist. He additionally ended up being the one member of the gang to outlive, and he escaped to Europe with the loot.

In “Den of Thieves 2,” Donnie, nonetheless in Europe, has teamed up with a gang of thieves often known as the Panthers, lead by Jovanna (Evin Ahmad). Donnie and the Panthers are planning an enormous heist of the World Diamond Heart in Antwerp, however the plan hits a wrinkle when Nick tracks Donnie down. Nevertheless, Nick says he does not need to bust Donnie. As an alternative, he desires in on the rating. From there, Nick joins the gang. He falls right into a type of on-going flirtation with Jovanna and he and Donnie inexplicably develop into buddies. “At its core, this movie is a love story between a thief/gangster and a cop,” Gudegast says in manufacturing notes for the film. “It is an epic buddy movie.”

Because the movie progresses, Nick bonds with each Donnie and the remainder of the gang. Finally, all of them pull off the heist and find yourself in an exciting automobile chase shootout with some rivals. Simply while you assume everybody has obtained away clear, the movie pulls out a (considerably apparent) twist: Nick has been working with the native regulation enforcement all alongside, and he turns Donnie, Jovanna, and the remainder of the gang over to the cops. Nevertheless, Nick feels responsible about this. He wasn’t placing on an act — he actually did develop to look after Donnie and the gang. In the long run, Nick groups up with an exiled mobster (Adriano Chiaramida) to assist spring Donnie and the others from jail. The implication is evident: Nick, Donnie, and the remainder of the crew will reunite once more, presumably to drag extra heists. 

It is a enjoyable, surprisingly touching ending — Nick has discovered himself a household. It is simple to see the “Quick and Livid”-style state of affairs at play right here. The “Livid” saga was finally a few lawman who joined a crew of criminals and discovered to like them, and now “Den of Thieves” is taking the identical method. I suppose you possibly can argue that “Den of Thieves 2” feels a bit totally different than the primary movie. Whereas there’s nonetheless loads of violent, burly motion, it nearly seems like a nicer movie — the friendship that grows between Nick and Donnie is nice. Whereas I believe I like the primary film a smidge extra, “Den of Thieves 2” is immensely pleasing in its personal proper, and by the point the top credit rolled, I used to be prepared for extra. In the event that they need to preserve making these films and switch them right into a sprawling, decrease price range “Quick and Livid”-style saga, I’ll gladly preserve watching them. 

“Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” is now in theaters.