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Friday, April 19, 2024
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HOLLYWOOD DEN OF THIEVES
EDITOR'S PICK
'Den of Thieves': A convoluted heist drama (Review By Troy Ribeiro ;
Rating: **1/2)
"Den of Thieves" is a convolutedly narrated heist film that involves concepts
from other superior crime thrillers of the past.
With a handful of stylish shootouts, chase sequences and other confrontations
bridged together by a lacklustre screenplay, this over-the-top crime saga is a
predictable derivative saga of cops and robbers.
The film begins with some onscreen graphics informing us about some true-life
statistics about bank robberies in the US.
Apparently, a bank robbery occurs every 48 minutes there. Given this
information, one expects that the opening sequence in Los Angeles would give us
an adrenaline-packed thrilling insight into one such robbery. But instead, we
witness a run-of-the-mill heist of an armoured truck by a very well armed gang
of thieves.
This dacoity is led by Ray Merriman (Pablo Schreiber) a one-time special forces
soldier and criminal mastermind and cohorts including Enson (Curtis "50 Cents
Jackson) and Bosco (Evan Jones).
Despite the robbers' military precision, there are fatalities on both sides. And
to the amusement of his colleagues, Ray mentions, "We are cop killers now."
The case catches the attention of the Major Crimes unit of the local Sheriff's
department, led by Nick Flanagan (Gerard Butler) who is also known as "Big Nick"
among his co-workers. While surveying the scene of the crime, we learn that he
is at loggerheads with the head of FBI. At the same time, he is wary and anxious
as he gravely says, "We're dealing with a different animal here, boys."
To top it all, Nick has a troubled personal life. He tells us that he and his
unit are bad guys and there's no reason to doubt that claim.
The battle of wills between Ray and Nick aspires an epic level, but the
characters exhibit far less real respect for one another. The bad blood
incorporates a personal element where both Ray and Nick casually indulge in sex
with the same person.
Personal foibles apart, Ray and his team eye the Los Angeles branch of the
Federal Reserve. In order to succeed in their endeavour, they rope in a genial
bartender Donnie (O'Shea Jackson Jr) who is skilled in speed racing. But Nick
who tries to stay a step ahead of Ray, roughs up Donnie who knows the
consequences of turning into an informer.
The plot takes a convoluted route. It oscillates back and forth between the two
sides, offering would-be poignant exchanges. It teases the audience
unnecessarily with personal issues and wastes precious time that could have been
spent on the tense heist and its explosive aftermath, which is where the viewer
wants to be.
The execution in these moments is thrilling, although muddied by a final plot
twist. There is not much time spent on motives or on explaining the ridiculous
twist at the end. Also, parts of the film remind you of scenes in "The Usual
Suspects" and the 1995 released film "Heat".
As for the performances, despite packed with testosterone-fuelled swagger and
tough guy posturing by its ace-cast, the poorly developed characters are its
undoing. Without much meaningful character development, the lines between heroes
and villains blur. While the film majorly focuses on Butler and Pablo Schreiber
who deliver compelling performances, the others too have their moments of
onscreen glory.
Though the story lacks in originality, it displays more brawn than brains and
excels in its production values. The production designs, cinematography, editing
and background-score are all of ace quality.
DEN OF THIEVES is a gritty Los Angeles crime saga which follows the intersecting and often personally connected lives of an elite unit of the LA County Sheriff's Dept. and the state's most successful bank robbery crew as the outlaws plan a seemingly impossible heist on the Federal Reserve Bank of downtown Los Angeles.
