150 Word Review: 'Den Of Thieves 2: Pantera' (2025)
Not as fast, not as furious
First, the 2018 heist thriller Den of Thieves is a minor masterpiece about cops and robbers in sunny Los Angeles. Writer/director Christian Gudegast seems inspired by Michael Mann's Heat, a film buff favorite celebrated for one stunning mid-movie shoot-out. But Den of Thieves is better—leaner, meaner, more human.
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is a welcome sequel, but it isn't nearly as intense as the original. O'Shea Jackson Jr. returns as our master criminal, stealing diamonds in Europe. He's still being hunted by Gerard Butler's Big Nick, a bearded chain-smoking side of beef with a badge. The plot? Our heroes team up.
Gudegast's movie takes its time—many espressos are sipped—and the beautiful Mediterranean locales aren't as gritty as the backstreets of L.A. The big heist features lots of light cardio. The climax is a roaring car chase up winding mountain roads that recalls the iconic 90s action flick Ronin.
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Better than Heat? I guess I should at least watch Den of Thieves before telling you how wrong you are :)
O'Shea Jackson, Jr. is the son of rap legend Ice Cube (a.k.a. O'Shea Jackson Sr.)