When he gets the right role (such as Dog Day Afternoon, Carlito's Way or Scarface) Al Pacino is the best, but I would say overall De Niro is a better actor. Al Pacino sometimes overacts (The Devil's Advocate, Insomnia, 88 minutes). DeNiro also is more pleasant and easier to watch as he's a more sympathetic person.
Still it's difficult to say who I really prefer. Both are icons.







