Christian Gudegast’s “Den of Thieves” should not have labored. At a look, the movie seemed to be little greater than a knock-off of Michael Mann’s “Warmth” and numerous different cops-and-robbers thrillers. Certainly, the movie is ceaselessly 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 Typical Suspects.” And but … “Den of Thieves” inexplicably dominated. Whereas nobody might accuse the flick of being authentic, the top end result was wildly entertaining and satisfying, and I do not imply in a cynical “so dangerous it is good” kind of approach. Violent, partaking, humorous, and unapologetically brash, “Den of Thieves” is down and soiled stuff — a scuzzy, dirtbag motion flick about offended males taking pictures loud weapons. It isn’t excessive artwork, it is excessive trash, and I like it with all my coronary heart.
It is arduous to hate a movie that introduces its hero, cumbersome cop Huge Nick O’Brien, grabbing a donut off the bottom at an outside homicide scene and taking a giant chew. Not lengthy after this second, Huge Nick might be seen chugging straight from a bottle of Pepto-Bismol. As performed by Gerard Butler, Huge Nick appears perpetually hungover — in case you instructed 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, Huge Nick was a flawed, tough beast, untrue to his spouse and liable to bending the legislation he is sworn to uphold so as to get his approach. And in the long run, Huge Nick misplaced.
“Den of Thieves” noticed Huge 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, Huge Nick tried to infiltrate the group by turning their getaway driver, Donnie (O’Shea Jackson Jr.), into an informant. All of it culminated in a giant shootout that left a number of individuals, together with Merrimen, lifeless. In a single remaining twist, although, Huge Nick was shocked to be taught that Merrimen wasn’t the gang’s mastermind. As a substitute, all the 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 all the stolen cash. The “Den of Thieves” saga might’ve ended there, however there was additionally room for extra — and, in a giant 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.” Somewhat 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 just about appears like a buddy comedy about massive, beefy guys bonding whereas committing some crimes. It is an absolute blast, and a triumph of Dudes Rock cinema. Lengthy reside Huge Nick O’Brien, one of many best characters in film historical past.
