Den of Thieves (2018)

Directed by: Christian Gudegast | 140 minutes | action, crime | Actors: Gerard Butler, Pablo Schreiber, O’Shea Jackson Jr., 50 Cent, Meadow Williams, Maurice Compte, Brian Van Holt, Evan Jones, Mo McRae, Kaiwi Lyman, Dawn Olivieri, Eric Braeden, Jordan Bridges, Lewis Tan, Cooper Andrews

The action-thriller ‘Den of Thieves’ introduces two bad guys to each other, corrupt cop Big Nick O’Brien (Gerard Butler in a convincing role) and criminal/master bank robber Ray Merrimen (Pablo Schreiber, known from ‘The wire’). Director Christian Gudegast has cheated on Michael Mann’s ‘Heat’, but that should not spoil the fun. Despite its 140 minutes running time, the film never bores. Subtle tension, the right chemistry between the protagonists, a nice pace, Los Angeles in the background and some delicious shootings: what more could a lover of the action-crime drama want?

There are plenty of bank robbery films, but ‘Den of Thieves’ manages to bring just that little bit extra through the interpretation of the roles and the surprising plot twist. ‘Big Nick’, who (logically for this type of movie hero) lives a fairly unhealthy and unconventional lifestyle, is with his ruthless LAPD crew on the hunt for the mastermind behind many bank robberies, former Marine Ray Merrimen. He persuades bartender Donnie (O’Shea Jackson from ‘Straight Outta Compton’), who serves as a driver in Merrimen’s gang, to act as a tipster. Despite this, the Big Nick gang always manages to stay one step ahead. All this leads to a breathtaking apotheosis. Can Merrimen’s gang rob America’s best-guarded bank, the Federal Reserve Bank?

Gudegast, also responsible for the scripts for ‘A Man Apart’ with Vin Diesel and ‘London Has Fallen’ with Morgan Freeman and Gerard Butler, turns out to be a good guest. He clearly has the action genre in his fingers. The sequel has already been announced for a reason. Logical, because there is still some stretch in the story and there is still plenty of food for thought for ‘Big Nick’. So glad we’re going to see Butler again as a ruthless, no nonsense cop. Star in ‘Den of Thieves’, however, is Pablo Schreiber. His cold, calculating and intelligent character jumps off the screen. He seems well on his way to a deserved A-status. In a supporting role we see rapper 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson). That he figures prominently on the poster and DVD/Blu-ray cover is too much of an honour.

The plot of the film is based on the principle: “In order to catch us, you have to catch us first.” It is important to choose the right side. Who has the last laugh in the end? The viewer, because ‘Den of Thieves’ is a wonderful film to watch. Before you know it you will see the ‘credits’ roll across your screen. Not Oscar-winning, but very refreshing within the genre. Keep part 2 coming!