Criminal Squad: Pantera

Well I just got out the theatre and let me say this:

Whereas the first movie was very gritty, dark, violent, this movie is very colorful, tacky and sassy.

Kind of dissapointing sequel if you compare it to the first. I guess it's a solid Sunday movie if you're bored and want to watch something. The first movie gave me a vibe similar to HEAT. This is like they tried to aim for the Italian Job. Wish they would've stuck with the Formula of the first movie. It worked. Don't know why they tried to change it so drastically and do a 180. The characters are not interesting at all and you don't really get invested like you did in the first part. Butler and Jackson's characters don't feel like the same guys from the first movie either. Could've been better. It's a ok-ish sequel.

Den of Thieves: Pantera follows up Den of Thieves from 2018 but is not in the same league. It feels formulaic all the way though and a little forced. Not an awful movie but below the standard set by the original.

Gerard Butler returns and looks even less in shape with every passing movie, and this one seems to deal with this fact by giving his character food to shout past in almost every scene which gets a tad annoying.

This time the action takes place mainly in Nice, France with an attempt to steal diamonds. Set pieces are adequate but as mentioned the acting feels a little forced and the whole movie is not as satisfying as the original and the runtime too long.

Worth a watch and under another title would have been adequate but not of the same quality as the first movie unfortunately.

Slap a different name or main characters on it and it's a passable action hiest movie, trying to call it a sequel to Den of Thieves is just disrespectful to the first one.

The first crew were tight, controlled, and meant business. In this one we have only Donnie and Nick and some generic stand ins who we don't know or get to know, so we don't care for them at all.

The action scenes in part 1 were phenomenal and well shot and acted. In this one they were sloppy and felt forced. Especially at the end of the car chase, truly after an all night drive to escape and THAT'S where they meet up with what's his face.... sure, that wasn't immensely convenient...

The heist itself wasn't terrible, it felt real enough with a few minor issues.

A staffing of 6 or so guards for the world diamond exchange.... 2 guys to clear the whole building???? They didn't even have radios when clearing ffs.

During the escape chase, the entire city of Nice is practicially empty because.... just because.

Ad placement takes on a whole new level of idiocy in most newer movies, this time Porsche (Volkswagen group) and Audi were the focus.

The ending also not very convincing, Nick does what he does and then just passes on this info that isn't even helpful... "sit back left" not a single shot fired and "back left" isn't actually a seat position, rear passenger or driver side is. Back left depends on your orientation.

Had anyone else delivered the info though it would've made more sense.

There is good and bad with this film, even as it feels like it is missing some of the magic of the first.

The cinematography, sound, and music are great. The film looks and sounds slick and flows well.

The story has some complexity to it as it involves more than just a set of good guys and a set of bad guys. It also follows the first film plot-wise, so having seen it will add to the experience.

At a few points in the story it would be better to not ask too many questions, as there are some plot conveniences that might be considered questionable for the validity and believability of a major international organized crime scenario. Some of the foundational premises of how characters are placed into the story are also tenuous.

The highlight for me though, was the heist execution and the subsequent chase. A long and gripping sequence of events that takes up much of the last half of the film. Superb sequences with sustained tension and realism. Really well directed and scored. And a very cool helicopter intervention.

The acting overall I would call very so-so. Often poor. The improvisation obvious. The casting, generally terrible. Adsurdly so. Aside from the two lead actors, I found the rest of the characters and cast playing them to be both unattractive and instantly forgettable. I never knew that French women had such large noses. Even the star of the film, and really the only one more or less acting in it, looks so haggard as to be a bit of a let down. The co-star was unconvincing generally in his role; he did not fit the part.

I think that this is what differentiates the feel of this film from the first. The first film had tight bands of opposing forces with strong main protagonist and antagonist characters. It also had believable and well-defined entourage characters played by actors who could act. The intensity felt genuine. This film sorely lacks all of this. It went full Euro and feels sloppy because of it. Casting was over-the-top diverse to the point of distraction, resulting in a lack of cohesion, with too many weak characters with no charisma that only made the plot contrivances more obvious.

Overall, still a good watch for fans of the first film.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is an entertaining sequel that captures the essence of a high-stakes heist with a Grand Theft Auto mission feel. While it doesn't surpass its predecessor, it delivers solid action and suspense, keeping you on the edge of your seat. However, a few missteps in pacing and scope prevent it from reaching its full potential.

What I Liked 1. The Heist Execution: The film's innovative, detailed approach to planning and executing the heist was highlighted, offering nail-biting tension during the climax.

2. Action Sequences: The gunfights and tactical moves were not just well-executed, they were pulse-pounding, keeping the adrenaline high and the audience fully engaged.

3. Character Dynamics: Gerard Butler's cop character dipping into criminal waters added an intriguing dynamic, making the story more than just a heist. From the beginning, Oshea's character growth and commitment to his skills keep you invested in the characters.

What I Didn't Like 1. Overextended Scale: The international setting felt unnecessarily grand, losing the first film's intimate, gritty charm.

2. Pacing Issues: The first half dragged significantly, making the 2-hour 20-minute runtime feel bloated.

3. Predictable Twist: While the ending twist added intrigue, it was telegraphed too early, diminishing its impact.

Final Thoughts

If you enjoyed the first Den of Thieves, you'll likely appreciate this sequel for its thrilling heist and action-packed moments, but temper expectations. The film trades its predecessor's smaller, sharper focus for a grander yet less cohesive narrative.

Recommendation: Watch it if you're in the mood for a fun, action-heavy heist movie. It's not groundbreaking, but it's worth a trip to the theater .

Rating: 3.5/5 or 7/10 or B-: An enjoyable sequel.