Well, I was going to give this unexpected second part a 5, but you know what? I think I am going to raise that score. Because while it is true that the character development leaves much to be desired in the first act, the pacing needed to improve, and we are a bit tired of seeing Gerard Butler play the tough, cocky guy, the effort to make this film something more substantial is obvious. A lengthy second act that completely hooks you up with the unfolding heist; a concern for showing real locations and ditching the unrealistic computer-generated nonsense (they actually used real helicopters!); a narrative that emphasizes atmosphere and ambiance, where the city and the highways are characters in their own right; a chase through the tunnels that is simply fantastic; an atmospheric soundtrack that works when it needs to and does not distract or ****, I might not put it on my "watch again" list for now, but it certainly has the substance to have earned more than a bare **** I want a Den of Thieves 3.
Do not be fooled, this is no thriller, even though the film is being marketed as one. It could have been a political thriller, an action thriller, a crime thriller... A very good thriller indeed. The story is original, engaging, and has a very solid premise. Man, the chases and some of the escape scenes are really intense. Very well shot. But... in the end... it is more of a weird comedy. With cartoony characters struggling to seem realistic.
It is a weird movie. Sean Penn is outstanding. He outshines the rest of the actors, although the acting in general is very, very good. Specially Chase Infiniti. Odd music choices pull you out of the experience continuously. That was almost annoying and unnecessary. Again, it is a weird movie. And probably not one of those worth seeing on the big screen. Anyway, on to something else. Oh, you should probably want to see 'The Fight Club'. They really nailed it there.
After a good start, everything points to a very enjoyable thriller... Which is not, unfortunately. The same story told by 3 different views. The tension is there, building up, but in the end there is no resolution, no ending, no explanation, no answers. What's the point? Such a missed opportunity.
A shame.
There was so much potential here... At one point, it felt like it could have been a new Candyman. Potential for a franchise... Then it got so confusing and illogical. What a waste.
