Den of Thieves – 2018 Gudegast - The Cinema Archives

Director Christian Gudagast clearly worships at the altar of Michael Mann and Heat – haha- at least half the reviews mention it (what are the other half watching?)
Gerard Butler is really strong in the lead—drunk, arrogant, swollen, masculine – he’s in the Pacino Heat role

Starts with a big heist in medias res, and then we’re off with the aftermath with dueling crews of cops vs. robbers in this urban western
“Keep the heat off you” in the test
Pablo Schreiber (the De Niro role) isn’t as strong as Butler but his 6’5 frame makes for an imposing black hat vs. white hat show down
I’m not sure why the score on metacritic is a 48—I think the narrative mechanisms are strong and the 140 minute running time doesn’t feel it—you’re in
50 Cents’ weaknesses as an actor don’t help
There’s a hilarious scene that makes you like the criminals as they scare the boyfriend of 50’s daughter
Butler is swinging away here and I love it—he’s spouting off at Schrieber and the criminal crew at Benihana, he has an emotional scene with this daughter at her school, he breaks down in the car – all good scenes
The editing back and forth between the two crews like opposing boxers training for a fight—lets you know they aren’t that different (in case the movie poster didn’t already- haha)
It’s in the archives—but it’s not Michael Mann—not by a long shot– let’s get that out there- there’s nothing to hang on the wall here.
Piercing sound design realistic shootout finale

Not a fan of the weak twist ending taking away from the dueling leaders of the two crews—feels half-baked
Todd Gilchrist from “The Wrap” has it right- “Ultimately, Den of Thieves falls short of its goal, but it gets points for aiming high; there are worse things than trying to be the next Michael Mann when few others would dare try, especially if they lack the enthusiasm oozing out of every frame of your imitation.”
Recommend but not in the top 20-25 of 2018