by Bradley Bodeker

Created on: August 31, 2009

When the two are brought together you're guaranteed a hit. But standing alone, I would have to bat for Bobby D. I've been a long time rabid fan of Mr. DeNiro off and on the screen.

To me, Mr. Pacino gave two performances that I stand and applaud. Scarface and Devils Advocate. I would have to say that in the latter he surpassed Robert DeNiro's portrayal of the devil (Angel Heart). But Al Pacino's characters in other movies were always the same. He was always playing the same person, I couldn't tell whether he was one character or the other from any of his movies.

Robert DeNiro has been known to take any script. He's a method actor, going above and beyond what it takes to play whatever character he is handed. In "Cape Fear", he had his teeth filed down to give his character a certain slur in his speech. He lost and gained tremendous weight for his role in "Raging Bull". He learned the Sicilian dialect needed to be a Corleone in the early 1900's. Not to say other actors do not do the same but not to such caliber.

Robert DeNiro gives his utmost for his craft more so than any other actor I know. Yeah, he's good at playing the tough mobster guy: Goodfellahs, Casino, Godfather 2, Analyze This, etc. As well as the moody cop with a temper: Righteous Kill, 15 Minutes, Copland, Showtime, etc. But he's also great in his small parts, his comedic parts, and dramatic parts: Boy's Life, Stardust, Meet the Parents/Fockers, Angel Heart, The Deer Hunter, Cape Fear, The Good Shepherd, a Bronx Tale, etc.

His range is wider than that of Al Pacino, with all due respect. But the guy can make me laugh, cry, hide and give out the testosterone laden "HELL YEAH". DeNiro, is usually teamed up with actor Joe Pesci, and the two make an excellent team. But I think any movie with both Mr. Pacino and Mr. DeNiro in it would bring elation to any fan. When previews and trailers came out for "Righteous Kill" You would have thought it was Christmas at my house. I felt ridiculous for being so excited about a team up in a movie. But, every boy needs to have a dream right? And I wasn't disappointed.

Admittedly, DeNiro has had some stinkers. But my hat goes off to him in every role he's portrayed, because I know that he gave the character his all. From Travis Bickle(Taxi Driver) to Fearless Leader(Rocky and Bullwinkle).

Learn more about this author, Bradley Bodeker.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.