Den of Thieves 2: Pantera Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.0

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman February 27, 2025

Note: While I haven't yet received a review copy, Lionsgate's Lionsgate Limited e-tailer is offering another exclusive SteelBook edition, this time of Den of Thieves: 2-Film Collection 4K, which includes the first film in 4K. As of the writing of this review, there is no wide release of the first film in 4K. It looks like that release also includes 1080 discs for each film, and so I thought SteelBook collectors in particular might be interested in this packaging/bundling option even if they don't have 4K equipment yet.

Den of Thieves didn't exactly set the critical world on fire (though you know how they can be) or overly excite the ticket buying populace, which may beg the question as to why a sequel was approved. It may seem especially odd that this "sophomore" effort is coming down the pike almost seven years to the day after the first film, which is certainly a longer than average interstitial time period between a first and second outing for a supposed "franchise". It's also probably salient to note that the film is now being released on 1080 Blu-ray and 4K UHD barely a month after its theatrical exhibition, something that may undercut any notion of a "blockbuster". A number of talking heads are on hand in a supplement on this disc claiming overtly that Den of Thieves was always planned as a "series", which probably only leads to further questions as to why it took so long for this second entry to appear. As to why the sequel was even made in the first place considering the generally less than phenomenal response to the first film, a singular answer may be related to what is evidently a very close relationship between star and co-producer Gerard Butler and writer and director Christian Gudegast, and in fact Butler is shown actually tearing up and warmly embracing Gudegast as the production wraps in candid footage shot for a supplement. The question as to the gestation of this production is perhaps more enigmatic, but considering this is a caper film that includes at least one high octane (though the cars are electric) showdown between vehicles, we should perhaps "cut to the chase" and answer another question: was the wait for this sequel worth it?

Suffice it to say that "plot dynamics" in this film may frankly take a back seat (in an electric Porsche) to gorgeous scenery (Tenerife filled in for Southern France) and some of the action elements, including the fun if not exactly innovative chase scene that caps the film with two speeding cars on windy roads, each taking potshots at each other. And in fact this entire enterprise kind of reeks of cliché ridden material, starting with the bantering relationship between "Big" Nick O'Brien (Gerard Butler) and Donnie Wilson (O'Shea Jackson Jr.) who find themselves (to purloin a phrase that is about as well used as this series' title) partners in crime. Or are they? Without posting any major spoilers (not that anyone worth their salt is not going to see putative "twists" coming from a mile off), while there really aren't any moral shades of gray here (this is a living cartoon in more than one way), Butler is on hand in a supplement stating how the whole allure of Den of Thieves is its well designed surprises, which may lead those aforementioned "good guessers" as to what's coming thinking, "Maybe even better designed surprises might be a good idea".

As with the first film, there are bookending segments that have a good deal of energy. The opening here doesn't initially really seem to be related to the main thrust of the story, as Donnie and a cohort of thieves make off with, well, something, though it's not immediately clear what. Soon enough Nick is poking his nose into what's going on, leading to him more or less infiltrating Donnie's operation, ostensibly as a collaborator. That then sets the story off on a "new, improved" heist, which of course encounters a couple of obstacles during its execution. The last act is highlighted by that impressively shot car chase (a supplement has some cool information on how it was achieved), but rather interestingly, at least from a "sustained energy" standpoint, things continue on after the chase for a surprisingly long time, allowing various plot strands to be tied up, with the result being things are in place for a supposed third entry. This film's pretty lackluster and brief performance at the box office may put the kibosh on any plans, though there's online reportage suggesting that more than one sequel may already be in the offing.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Lionsgate Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.39:1. The IMDb lists the Sony CineAlta and a 4K DI as relevant data points. Whatever story deficits this film may arguably have, from a purely visual standpoint it's often eye candy, and while I'll (once again) cut to the chase and recommend those with the appropriate equipment to opt for Lionsgate's 4K UHD release, this 1080 presentation is stellar throughout. The film offers some perhaps surprising visual style (at least considering certain hoarier aspects of the plot), and both suffusion and detail levels are commendable virtually all of the time. Once place where the 4K UHD is arguably at least a bit superior is in delivering shadow detail courtesy of HDR / Dolby Vision, and there's probably a bit less information in that regard in a couple of sequences scattered throughout, including the opening heist. Otherwise, though, this 1080 presentation pops beautifully (especially once things venture outside), and detail levels throughout are often superb. Digital grain may be slightly more subliminal at this resolution.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera features a boisterous Dolby Atmos mix that somewhat hilariously offers source cues varying from Snoop Dogg to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, all of which populate the "traditional" surround channels invitingly, often with some nicely forceful midrange and especially low end. But it's of course the layered sound design in both narrative outdoor material and especially some of the set pieces where the Atmos mix kicks into high gear. Somewhat like the first film, quasi-bookends offer some of the most impressive surround activity, with the opening heist quick cutting between several different perspectives which give opportunities for suddenly shifting sound fields. The big car chase toward the end of the film is probably the other outstanding sequence, with good verticality and some careening effects populated by rapidfire automatic gun play. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Several scenes in various languages have forced English subtitles. Otherwise, optional English, French and Spanish subtitles are available for the rest of the film.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary with Writer / Director Christian Gudegast, Producer Tucker Tooley, Cinematographer Terry Stacey & Editor Roberth Nordh


• Flipping the Script: Plotting Den of Thieves 2 (HD; 21:09) is an agreeable featurette with that aforementioned footage of Butler and Gudegast at the wrap. Part of this somewhat hilariously plays as a paid product placement for electric Porsches (hence my joke above).


• Deleted Scenes (HD; 18:02)


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:30)

Lionsgate sent its 4K UHD release for purposes of this 1080 review, but it looks like this standalone 1080 release also includes a DVD and digital copy. From the looks of the cover image we have, it doesn't appear there's a slipcover (the 4K UHD release did feature a slipcover).

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera suffices perfectly well as a veritable popcorn movie. It has little to offer in terms of compelling characters or even plotting, but Butler and Jackson Jr. are affable in what might be termed a low rent Mel Gibson and Danny Glover kind of way. Where this release excels is in its technical presentation, which is often quite striking both visually and aurally. Some appealing supplements may help to sweeten the pot for anyone interested in making a purchase.