Anyone who has seen the heist film Den of Thieves knows that the real mastermind behind the Federal Reserve robbery was Donnie Wilson (O'Shea Jackson Jr.; Straight Outta Compton). With his quiet demeanor, he managed to fool everyone, including Detective Nick "Big Nick" O'Brien (Gerard Butler; 300), and abscond with millions of dollars earmarked for destruction. , Donnie is back at it- this time at the diamond exchange in Nice, France, and Nick is hot on his trail, but not with the intent to stop him. This time, Nick wants in on the heist.
After stealing a rare red diamond from an airport in Belgium, the Panthers show up in France, where Donnie masquerades as an executive gaining access to the bank. When Nick asks to join the group, Donnie is skeptical but allows him in as he will serve as an important team member. With the heist meticulously planned, everything goes well-until the metal pole meant to carry Donnie and Nick to the next building breaks, leaving Nick stuck in the bank. Finding another way out, they all head to the Italian border, where they are arrested when it is revealed that Nick double-crossed the team.
Christian Gudegast (London Has Fallen) does a serviceable job framing the fight sequences as well as bringing out the emotion in Butler, which isn't always easy. Similar to the first film, the plot has lots of twists and turns, making it interesting to dissect and keeping the viewer engaged. It will be interesting to see what Gudegast has in store for the third installment, as another sequel has already been greenlit, and the script is supposedly completed.
For those who truly appreciate a well-done 4K transfer, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera doesn't disappoint. The 2160p resolution and the 2.39:1 aspect ratio make the film look terrific, especially the exterior, daytime shots meant to resemble France. The color saturation is well done, with burnt orange and red hues overlaying much of the film.
The Dolby Atmos audio is similarly impressive, with an eclectic soundtrack layered just below the surface. Ambient noise is noticeable but does not overpower the dialogue or music. The combo pack includes the 4K disc, the Blu-ray Disc, and a digital download. Unfortunately, this release offers a very limited list of extras, which is a bit disappointing. The bonus features include:
- Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Christian Gudegast, Producer Tucker Tooley, Cinematographer Terry Stacey, and Editor Robert Nordh.
- Flipping the Script: Plotting Den of Thieves 2: Pantera.
- Deleted Scenes.
- Theatrical Trailer.
As with many sequels, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera isn't as strong as the original, partially because we now know that Donnie is the brains behind the operation- something that wasn't revealed until the end of the first movie. We also expect a double-cross in the second movie because of what happened in the first. However, the chemistry between Donnie and Nick remains strong, which is why fans wanted the sequel in the first place.
The story is solid, the performances are engaging, and the 4K transfer with Atmos audio is excellent. Fans of the franchise will likely see this as a worthwhile purchase.
Grade: C+
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera (2025) | Action, Crime, Thriller
