Christian Gudegast’s “Den of Thieves” should not have labored. At a look, the movie gave the impression to be little greater than a knock-off of Michael Mann’s “Warmth” and numerous different cops-and-robbers thrillers. Certainly, the movie is often by-product — not solely does it owe an enormous debt to “Warmth,” but it surely even throws in a last-minute twist shamelessly “borrowed” from “The Standard Suspects.” And but … “Den of Thieves” inexplicably dominated. Whereas nobody may accuse the flick of being unique, the top consequence was wildly entertaining and gratifying, and I do not imply in a cynical “so unhealthy it is good” form of manner. Violent, partaking, humorous, and unapologetically brash, “Den of Thieves” is down and soiled stuff — a scuzzy, dirtbag motion flick about indignant males taking pictures loud weapons. It is not excessive artwork, it is excessive trash, and I find it irresistible with all my coronary heart.
It is laborious to hate a movie that introduces its hero, cumbersome cop Massive Nick O’Brien, grabbing a donut off the bottom at an out of doors homicide scene and taking an enormous chunk. Not lengthy after this second, Massive Nick may be seen chugging straight from a bottle of Pepto-Bismol. As performed by Gerard Butler, Massive Nick appears perpetually hungover — when you advised me Butler had downed half a bottle of Jack Daniels earlier than he shot his scenes, I would imagine you. A swaggering, macho mess who appears continuously on the verge of belching, Massive Nick was a flawed, tough beast, untrue to his spouse and susceptible to bending the legislation he is sworn to uphold in an effort to get his manner. And in the long run, Massive Nick misplaced.
“Den of Thieves” noticed Massive Nick and his crew on the path of a gang of financial institution robbers lead by Marine vet Ray Merrimen, performed by Pablo Schreiber. Because the gang set about planning their newest rating, Massive Nick tried to infiltrate the group by turning their getaway driver, Donnie (O’Shea Jackson Jr.), into an informant. All of it culminated in an enormous shootout that left a number of folks, together with Merrimen, lifeless. In a single last twist, although, Massive Nick was shocked to be taught that Merrimen wasn’t the gang’s mastermind. As a substitute, your entire heist was cooked up by Donnie, who was secretly a felony genius and in the end the one survivor who ended up getting away with the entire stolen cash. The “Den of Thieves” saga may’ve ended there, however there was additionally room for extra — and, in an enormous shock, the movie ended up being a a lot greater hit than anticipated. A sequel was introduced, and now it arrives within the type of “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera.” Fairly than attempt to recreate the scuzzball LA crime film power of the primary movie, Gudegast takes the story to Europe, crafting one thing bigger in scope and creating a movie that nearly looks like a buddy comedy about huge, beefy guys bonding whereas committing some crimes. It is an absolute blast, and a triumph of Dudes Rock cinema. Lengthy reside Massive Nick O’Brien, one of many biggest characters in film historical past.