“January’s cinematic landscape is often a barren wasteland, devoid of the same excitement and buzz that comes with the summer blockbuster season. But, just when you thought the first month of the year was destined to be a snooze-fest, along comes ‘Den of Thieves 2: Pantera’ – a sequel that few saw coming, yet has emerged as a pleasant surprise. The follow-up to 2018’s action-thriller, starring Pierce Brosnan and Gerard Butler, has been met with a mix of skepticism and curiosity, given the lukewarm reception of its predecessor. However, against all odds, ‘Den of Thieves 2: Pantera’ has managed to not only exceed expectations but also carve out a niche for itself as a tense, well-crafted, and downright entertaining ride. Join us as we dive into the world of high-stakes heists and gritty action to see if this unlikely gem is worth your time – and discover why it’s shaping up
A Surprisingly Engaging Sequel
If you filled a room with everyone that was clamoring for a second “Den of Thieves” movie, you might be hard pressed to find anyone who isn’t a credited cast or crew member, a relative or representative of one, or legendary Berlin School director Christian Petzold. Released in 2018, the crime thriller about a Los Angeles sheriff known only as Big Nick (Gerard Butler) who’s hellbent on stopping a crew from robbing the Federal Reserve — only to find that the informant (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) he was leaning on was actually playing him — hasn’t exactly made an irreversible mark on the zeitgeist. But it left the door open for future adventures, with Jackson’s smarter-than-he-looks Donnie fleeing to Europe and setting up shop in the high stakes world of diamond theft. A mere seven years later, “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” rolled into our lives with almost as many red flags as the Chicago Bears’ coaching vacancy. If you were looking for reasons to feel confident about its prospects, your choices boiled down to a mid-January release date and a ridiculous subtitle that feels like an unserious attempt at invoking “John Wick: Parabellum.” But just like the inexhaustibly creative thieves that inhabit its eponymous den, Christian Gudegast’s sequel defies all odds en route to becoming one of the most entertaining new releases of the first 240 hours of 2025.
The Unlikely Hero
Big Nick is a caricature in the best senses of the world, a block of testosterone and self-loathing who takes his endeavors so cartoonishly seriously that it’s hard not to be immersed in his silly adventures. The lives of Big Nick and Donnie have veered in divergent directions since they last parted ways. Donnie has thrived in the world of European crime — he’s long been financially set for life, but he keeps taking on harder and harder robberies to satisfy his need for a good challenge. But back in Los Angeles, Big Nick is spiraling. The comically macho lawman built his entire identity around the notion that the bad guys never beat him. Now that one finally did, he’s unable to focus on anything else.
Big Nick’s Identity Crisis: How a failed heist changed the sheriff’s life
When you stop to consider how fiercely committed Nick was to stopping Ronnie’s first heist and how tortured he was by the aftermath of his failure, it’s asinine for him to turn on a dime so quickly. But “Pantera” opts to embrace the silliness, trading the cat-and-mouse game for a buddy comedy dynamic between two charismatic characters.
The Rise of Donnie: From informant to master thief in the European crime scene
Jackson embodies Ronnie with even more charisma the second time around, and his whiz kid charm serves as the perfect foil to Big Nick’s intensity.
The Unlikely Partnership: How Big Nick and Donnie’s past collides in “Pantera”
Using an expired U.S. Marshall badge that gives him the illusion of international jurisdiction, he travels to Antwerp to intercept Donnie’s latest scheme: robbing the vaults of one of the World Diamond Centers. But rather than stop the heist in its tracks and try to arrest Donnie, he comes to his old foe with a proposition: he wants in on the job. Claiming that he’s broke and tired of hunting, he lends his skills and law enforcement bona fides to a diamond heist that could solve all of his financial problems for good.
A Buddy Comedy Dynamic
Big Nick is a caricature in the best senses of the world, a block of testosterone and self-loathing who takes his endeavors so cartoonishly seriously that it’s hard not to be immersed in his silly adventures. Jackson embodies Ronnie with even more charisma the second time around, and his whiz kid charm serves as the perfect foil to Big Nick’s intensity. Gudegast keeps the slick set pieces moving at such a brisk pace that you’ll have too much fun to stop and consider the logic of any of it.
The Charisma of Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr.
Even if nobody was asking for “Den of Thieves 2,” it might be time to start crossing our fingers for “Den of Thieves 3.” Frankly, I’m even more excited for “Den of Thieves 7.” But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s focus on the present, and what a delightful surprise “Pantera” is.
Trading Tension for Laughter: How “Pantera” balances action and humor
The chemistry between Big Nick and Donnie is a recipe for success, and it’s a testament to the quality of the leads that they make this absurd premise work.
The Chemistry Between Big Nick and Donnie: A recipe for success
Despite the fact that the plot is a mess, the performances and the direction make up for it, and you’ll find yourself having an unexpectedly great time.
A Surprisingly Enjoyable Ride
Fast-Paced Action and Slick Set Pieces: Gudegast’s direction shines
The Logic of the Heist: Can we look past the plot holes?
The Future of the Franchise: Why “Den of Thieves 3” is a possibility
Conclusion
In conclusion, the article “‘Den of Thieves 2: Pantera’ Review: A Sequel Few Demanded Is an Unexpected January Delight – IndieWire” presents a thought-provoking analysis of the film “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera”. The article highlights the unexpected success of the sequel, which was met with skepticism by many due to its lack of hype. However, the film’s unique blend of action, suspense, and humor has won over audiences and critics alike. The article also delves into the significance of the film’s themes, such as the power of teamwork and the importance of believing in oneself.
The implications of this film’s success are significant, as it challenges the conventional wisdom that sequels are always inferior to their predecessors. It also highlights the importance of taking risks and trying new things in filmmaking, as the creators of “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” have successfully done. Moving forward, the film’s success could pave the way for more unexpected and innovative sequels, which could lead to a more diverse and exciting range of films in the future.
In the end, “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” is a testament to the power of creativity and risk-taking in filmmaking. It is a reminder that even the most unlikely-seeming projects can come together to create something truly special. As the article so eloquently puts it, “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” is a “delight” that few expected, but many will not soon forget.