Jurisdiction knows no bounds, only desire. Years have passed since Big Nick O’Brien (Gerard Butler) got played by one Donnie Wilson (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) in Los Angeles. One step ahead of the sheriff, Donnie managed to evade arrest and flee with millions after successfully masterminding the robbery of the Federal Reserve Bank. Since that day, Donnie has taken up residence in Europe, now a part of the Panther crew, led by Jovahnna (Evin Ahmad). Instead of stealing from banks, they swipe expensive diamonds, and one of the diamonds Donnie and crew have made away with is coveted by some extremely powerful individuals.

Still in LA, the divorced and disheveled Nick cannot give up his pursuit of Donnie. His ego won’t allow it. With news on the station referencing an elaborate jewel theft done by a highly organized outfit in Antwerp, he believes his target is active. Making his way overseas, Nick comes face to face with Donnie once more. Yet, he says he’s not there to cuff him, he merely wants to be part of the crew as they plan their biggest heist yet. Could the cop really go gangster and give up his law upholding? And if it’s a ruse, will it matter if Donnie is one step ahead of him yet again?

The words “Heat knockoff” were thrown around profusely when talking about 2018’s Den of Thieves. And sure, while it didn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to old school cops and robbers movies, it was a perfectly passable crime caper with impressive action that has gotten more entertaining on rewatches. With the first one setting itself up for a sequel so nicely and the ball rolling in development one month after the first’s release, it’s a missed opportunity that it’s taken seven years for the follow-up to release theaters. Sadly, the wait wasn’t worth it. Den of Thieves 2: Pantera carries some (one) interesting stretches, but it’s missing the grit and edge that permeated its predecessor.

Writer/director Christian Gudegast returns to do the same in the sequel. A slightly increased budget seems to go to a climatic vehicular shootout (undoubtedly the best scene of the movie) and some beautiful overseas scenery, with a prolonged party sequence for good measure. The sound design remains top-notch, and the score, an underrated aspect from the last feature, carries a different vibe this go-around. Composer Kevin Matley opts for more of a synth-poppy feel, in line with the efforts to make the movie more sleek.

Save for its ending serving as the jumping point for this one, Den of Thieves carried very little unpredictability. However, what it lacked in surprise, it made up for in simple mano a mano group opposition dynamics led by the levelheaded Merriman and the slovenly firecracker Nick. Supporting characters like 50 Cent’s Levoux and obviously Jackson Jr. as Donnie added a lot to the proceedings and gave pace to a lengthy movie, to the point where the runtime was barely felt.

While tweaks to the formula are commendable, Pantera misses the straightforwardness, throwing in more groups and individuals without the personality behind them. This is a problem, because the sequel clocks in at two hours and twenty-four minutes, with nary an action scene before the climactic heist and action scene to break up bleh dialogue and janky setup (think how Fast Five gradually built up to its dragging of the safe through Rio moment with smaller sub-missions). Tonally, it’s lighter, resembling a jovial buddy cop flick in long stretches without the humor often found in those. Feels like fluff for messy plotting and characters weirdly turning off their intuition radars when knowing that Nick is a cop as he works with the crew.

Butler once again brings off-kilter big dog machismo, with a willingness to be the butt of a joke in a scene. Even in some of the weaker moments he’s charismatic and never lacking energy. Elevated to co-lead in the sequel, Jackson Jr. doesn’t fare as well, a mix of the feature putting him in poor spots to thrive (attempting to pose as a diamond dealer with a French accent does him no favors) and him missing the ruggedness a character in this world would seemingly possess or need to possess when progressing through it. Ahmad is captivating, and any third movie should make it a point to give her more to do.

Will we get a third of these, Den of Threes perhaps? As early indicators are tracking positively on audience appetite and box office, the prospects seem promising, and a heist-specific globe-trotting expedition based on real-life thievery around different parts of the world sounds fun. I’ll have diamond hands on this franchise, even if it’s second installment has a dull shine on it.

C-

Photo credits go to screenrant.com, slashfilm.com, and impawards.com.