It won’t win points for originality or sophistication, but this is another muscular, well-pitched heist thriller with strong character work from Butler and Jackson Jr. We wait with bated breath for The Further Adventures Of Big Nick.

While it is fun to reconnect with Big Nick and watch him try new foods, there’s just something missing in this rote “Ronin” ripoff — a danger.

It’s not up there with the great heist movies. Butler lacks the charm to generate that kind of appeal, but it has quite a lot going for it. It’s certainly more likeable than its predecessor.

Den of Thieves: Pantera‘s transformation from interminable to unexpectedly engrossing is triggered by the heist (and its tense aftermath) that occupies much of the movie’s second half...