Time: 140 Minutes
Age Rating: R16
Cast:
Gerard Butler as Detective Nick “Big Nick” O’Brien
Pablo Schreiber as Ray Merrimen
O’Shea Jackson Jr. as Donnie Wilson
Curtis Jackson as Enson Levoux
Director: Christian Gudegast

I was somewhat interested in Den of Thieves, the main thing I knew about it was that it was a cops and robbers heist movie starring Gerard Butler, and it looked like something I could have fun with. While it does take a lot of inspiration from other better movies in the genre, it’s nonetheless a very entertaining watch for what it is.

Plotwise, Den of Thieves takes much from other heist movies like Michael Mann’s Heat, but it’s not done in a way that makes it feel like a ripoff. Instead, it feels like a throwback to 80s cops and robbers flicks, while having its own identity primarily because of its macho B-movie style and take. It’s on the lengthy side at 2 hours and 20 minutes, but I was still invested and entertained throughout, and in the last act it goes all in on the heist and shootout sequences, which was satisfying to watch.

Gerard Butler is perfectly fitting for his role here as a very aggressive, sleazy, violent and alcoholic cop, and it’s possibly his best performance yet. O’Shea Jackson Jr., Pablo Schreiber, 50 Cent also deliver in the roles required of them.

On the whole, Den of Thieves is directed very well by Christian Gudegast. The shootouts and action sequences are where the film particularly shines; tense, with good camerawork and fittingly loud audio. It also really benefits from a top notch score from Cliff Martinez.

Den of Thieves takes a lot from other heist movies, but is nonetheless a well directed, entertaining and tense crime thriller with good performances and great set pieces.