Amazon Prime has just dropped an action-packed sequel to an ‘instant classic’ that fans say is even ‘more stylish than the first’.
The much-anticipated Den of Thieves 2: Pantera has landed on the streaming service following its modest box office success in the US, where it raked in a cool $57 million shortly after release, against a budget of $40 million.
Buzz is already building around a potential third film, with Pantera serving as the gripping follow-up to the 2018 sleeper hit, Den of Thieves.
Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr. are back in action, reprising their roles as the dogged law enforcer Nicholas ‘Big Nick’ O’Brien and the cunning thief Donnie Wilson.
For those late to the party, the original Den of Thieves is also streaming on Amazon Prime, setting up an epic movie marathon.
Drawing from the notorious 2003 Antwerp diamond heist, the sequel sees Butler’s character chasing down a suspect across Europe, with plans to join forces for an audacious robbery, reports Surrey Live.
Pantera has outshone its predecessor with a solid 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, leaving many viewers thoroughly entertained. One fan took to social media to praise the film, saying: “This movie was awesome. The opening sequence is amazing, something straight out of a video game.”
One critic singled out a specific sequence masterminded by director Christian Gudegast, describing it as “an hour-long intricately staged, authentically researched and tense, action set piece.”
They further commented: “This sequence is worth the price of admission alone, as it’s the closest an American hamburger crime movie product has gotten to the type of artfully silent nuts-and-bolts detail that the French became famous for when this genre was arguably at its peak.”
Echoing this view, another viewer said: “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is the kind of movie that’ll make you want to quit your day job and become an international jewel thief (not that I’m condoning that, of course! ). With Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr. leading the charge, the film is a high-octane ride that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.”
They added: “What really sets Den of Thieves 2: Pantera apart is its inspiration from a real-life heist. The 2003 Antwerp diamond heist was one of the biggest and most daring jewel thefts in history, and the film does a great job of capturing the excitement and danger of that event. All in all, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is a pulse-pounding thrill ride that delivers on all fronts.”
Meanwhile, a devotee of the original concedes that while the sequel faces an uphill battle to match its predecessor’s impact, it remains a worthwhile viewing experience. They shared online: “More stylish than the first but still sassy, Pantera is a good watch, so long as you’re willing to look past its ending and other logical leaps of faith.
“The original is an instant classic that no one knows about, so Pantera has a lot to live up to. It mostly delivers, with Butler and Jackson renewing their special game of chess.”
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is streaming on Amazon Prime.