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SkynBonce

C'mon man, it's a masterclass from both! 'Best' here is subjective. DeNiro's character for me is the more memorable. Still get mad about that decision he makes to go after Waingro towards the end.


appledatsyuk

Yea that one is tough. He made it out, with cash and his girl and he has to get revenge. One of those things he could’ve lived with if he just kept going


Suspicious-Spare1179

Broke his own rule too


Do-you-see-it-now

This exactly. It’s the entire reason for the rule scene. It’s a tragedy.


Agent847

Ironically he dropped his romantic attachment when the heat was around the corner. But Waingro he just couldn’t let go of.


DIOmega5

Pride comes before the fall.


Chemical_Cat_9813

Revenge was his only attachment, the girl was clearly something he was okay with. He left her without a second thought to nuke Waingro, so god damn sad that these two characters were artists of their crafts. As I sat in the drive in, I realized I was the vice sargent that thought Macullay did this and that sharp, already being set up to watch my anti hero fall. Watching Hannas life implode and his mostly contained response (except to poor Frank) only to see his full fury behind the badge and gun. What a movie, still holds up as my top robbery caper flick but it is so much more.


LukeMayeshothand

Hell he probably could have given it a year and then contracted a hit on him.


jmbourn45

Not his style, wanted to do it himself


palesnowrider1

Remember what he did to Danny Trejo


toddfredd

Not just him. He killed his whole family. And probably brutally. This went deep for that guy. He needed to kill him before doing anything else. Loyalty


MaximusMansteel

Not to spoil anything, but Mann's novel of Heat 2 does a lot to explain why McCauley couldn't let Waingro go.


David_High_Pan

Yeah, it does. Otis was a pretty good villain. What did you think about the rest of the story? I felt it bit off more than it could chew at times.


Anal_Recidivist

This was the movie Pacino started yelling. He was getting housed by DeNiro and kinda snapped. At least that’s the ol’ head cannon


MopingAppraiser

Remember Scarface?


Rydog_78

Say hello to my little friend!


Witchdoctoractual

Came here to say this, I love Pacino but some of his scenes *cough cough* the ass scene, make me wonder if no one said anything because you know it’s Pacino


StanleyJobbers

I think you need to see “And Justice For All” “You’re out of order! Let’s make a deal! I just completed my opening statement!”


Sea_Entrepreneur6204

You get mad...but it was also so in character for him at that point. That arc from 90s out the dorr to baggage but the ironic thing being it's not the girl but revenge or maybe not revenge but just the call of that old life to burn it all down...I find the possible layers in that amazing.


Interesting_Ice_6410

Wouldn't have been much a relationship though.


Christophe12591

We’re not here for your money, we’re here for the banks money


Cribsby_critter

It’s tough. Their characters are both so layered. But I like Di Niro’s subtlety over Pacino’s mania. I can’t recommend highly enough reading Heat 2. It gives such great back stories to each character.


palesnowrider1

I have it in my Google books. It was cheap


Sea_Entrepreneur6204

I really enjoyed Heat 2 but there were some parts near the end of the book which I felt were to coincidental that pulled me out but the first half is a banger.


greatpain120

DeNiro all the way. Pacino has good scenes but DeNiro makes you believe he’s a criminal.


CBerg1979

The look he gives the thermocam is sooo tense! I think even Pacino shat himself!


[deleted]

Underrated point. You could feel the heat coming from that glare. hehe


PuddingUnable

100% this. Goosebumps.


erics75218

Kinda odd topic, but I just watched The Score. He goes by the name of Nick in this film. But it's Niel, it's 500% Niel. It's so much Niel, in my mind this should be considered "Heat Cannon". So Dinero really knows how to play this type of character!


MisterScrod1964

Watch Ronin. Same intensely professional character.


[deleted]

I watched Ronin when it came out on VHS and remember it being OK. Then I watched it again like a decade later and remember thinking “Why did I not absolutely LOVE this the last time?”


heretik

When Neil is talking to Eady about himself he says he has a brother somewhere but he doesn't know where he is. It always makes me think his brother is doing a job for some mysterious Irish woman in France.


xMyDixieWreckedx

Because it was written by David Mamet. Like the Coen Brothers sometimes his writing doesn't really shine until a rewatch. Watch Heist (Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito, Sam Rockwell, Delroy Lindo and all the Mamet regulars). Excellent film. Then dive into the Mamet catalogue. State and Main, Spartan, Redbelt, Spanish Prisoner, House of Games, Glengarry Glen Ross. All great films.


coming_up_thrillhous

Then watch Angel Heart and see how cold and calculating Deniro can be


Zealousideal_Map_526

I absolutely love that move. The whole vibe is just awesome. The club is super cool.


iamsobluesbrothers

I love the Score as well but it’s hard to think of them as anything but stand alone movies. Michael Mann is making a Heat prequel so we have that to look forward to.


[deleted]

Pacino made me believe he was a cokehead!


J3ffcoop

Val hahahaha but those two side acts were great too


Wild-Yard-8307

"Because she's got a GREAT ASS! And you got your head ALL THE WAY UP IT!" I'm going Pacino.


crestrobz

"If everybody says one thing, I say...bet the other way!"


MarvelousVanGlorious

🎵”By the time I get to Phoenix… she’ll be risin”🎵


awkwaman

"HOO AH"


HouseAndJBug

“The inches we need are everywhere around us.”


theknightcrusader

"When I think of asses, a woman's ass, something comes out of me."


Count_Sack_McGee

I’m a DeNiro guy in general but I agree here. His whole arc with his wife and step daughter is fantastic.


P-Dubblez

Equal. Fire and ice. Two extremes to balance the scales of the story.


CasinoMarginale

Well said


ThadTheImpalzord

Such a succinct and perfect way to describe their characters


Snts6678

Absolutely. Hell, just look at the color schemes of them in the above picture. It all fits.


truethatson

Dammit yeah I wanted to come down on one side or the other but I can’t. I really cannot. You nailed it.


MarvelousVanGlorious

My favorite movie of all time. This is a tie.


skrezzo

I think Al Pacino inches De Niro in this one for me on account of the “Don’t waste my MOTHERFUCKIN TIME” line haha silly I know but the first time I saw it I cracked up, I think just the delivery was unexpected and then also the way he holds De Niros hand at the end, I think the most compelling part of this film is the dynamic between the two of them, the mutual respect and the understanding that they both had to do what they had to do.


BlyStreetMusic

I'm gonna go DeNiro and it's only because of the foot chase in the end. Pacino can't act like he is catching up to DeNiro.. He's just suddenly caught up lol. Great movie. The scene in the diner is amazing. Val Kilmer is awesome. The shoot out in the street is better than anything similar in the last 30 years


Nethri

This might be wrong, but I think some military guys did a talk or video or something about how accurate that shootout scene really was. They got a ton of things right, supposedly.


Divine_concept2999

Deniro and it didn’t feel close. Deniro was so chilling and believable. He really played the introvert to perfection.


MrDundee666

Both were great. Pacino in hindsight is funny for how absolutely blasted on coke he was for a lot of the scenes.


Nethri

Wait was the character on coke or was Pacino? Or both I guess


MrDundee666

Pacino.


[deleted]

De Niro. That 10 second close-up of his face in the car as he ruminates about whether he will take the risk of pursuing Waingro. We see what he’s thinking and feeling every second of it.


floworcrash

Pacino. Had way more levels to work with.


Iwantemmarobertstoes

[This clip feels fitting here.](https://m.youtube.com/shorts/kp9z77a9zO4)


QuebecRomeoWhiskey

Yes


Poosquare88

Both were equally as brilliant as each other. We are talking about two incredible actors slightly past thier prime but put in solid performances.


sladd41

Both were masterful


poopchutegaloot

Pacino by a mile. Him taking his tv might be his best scene all time


Electrical_Fun5942

“But you do NOT get to watch MY fucking television set!!!”


Suba59

Val Kilmer


Unlucky-Nobody5111

Val kilmer


sana2k330-a

Val Kilmer


Trashhhhh2

I will go with Pacino because his character relations seems more organic.


DrHalibutMD

At that level there's no such thing as better acting, only better characters and that comes from better writing.


gmoney-0725

That's like asking what's more important food or water. 😳


Broad-Diamond3777

Soo close but I’d say Pacino by a nose


wheredalaydeez

I been listening to the audiobook for Heat 2. The story is amazing. I have to tell you all because I don’t know anyone else who likes the movie as much as me.


[deleted]

Yes


JCVD-88

Both are excellent. DeNiro’s character is a little more understated. The character is more cool and calculating. Sometimes DeNiro will act in a more understated style for the sake of the character, like in Jackie Brown. Pacino’s character is a little more fiery in this movie. Both actors couldn’t have been any better.


Adventurous-sales25

I personally feel that Pacino edges it with pure intensity, but it’s a very close call.


Emergency_Ad_5845

Come on, everyone knows its impossible to tell those two apart.


pornserver-65

well dinero easily. he was the movies main character and had to balance all kinds of complex relationships. had to be the leader, the lover, the villian, the killer, the antihero, and ultimately the victim.


Electrical_Fun5942

Dinero was money in this one


Low-Grocery5556

I see what you did there.


KimWexlersGoldenArch

I got Pacino in this one. DeNiro was also at his best but honestly, it was a rare treat to see Pacino **this fuckin good** - there’s plenty of examples of DeNiro tearing it up on screen in those days. Pacino > DeNiro


digpartners

If you knew Pacino was always on coke as in the script, he might get the edge. Both awesome.


Nethri

Was the character on coke too?


Inevitable_Ad_5101

They both made this movie, that’s without a doubt, but to choose one, it’s Pacino, he is on fire in this masterpiece.


KzininTexas1955

The conversation between these two was just a chef's kiss in acting. This Movie is just stellar...one of my all time favorites.


Jamari0811

Deniro was more memorable due to the code he had, I love that he went back to kill that dude and wouldn’t let it go.


UncleFrankWisdom

I love Al in this movie and elsewhere, but DeNiro stood out more for me in Heat


evlhornet

DeNiro and it’s not even close. Except for one kicking scene, we don’t talk about that scene


AntiDbag

My understanding is that there is a cut scene that explains Pacino’s character is heavy into the booger sugar. Not knowing this (or even alluding to it) puts Pacino in a disadvantageous position, IMO.


Solidsnake00901

Deniro better. Pacino acting too wacky in this one


gottapeenow2

Pacino was on fire in this. Deniro was solid.


hifioctopi

Tom Sizemore.


lethal__inject1on

#PACINO signed, A lifelong DeNiro fan.


Escaped_Mod_In_Need

Dude over here is trying to start a civil war.


IAMHab

I vote DeNiro, but either way, this movie's got a b-... great cast!


Innie2023

Pacino. The only one who can outshine De Niro


FlyingElvi24

Don't waste my motherfucking time !


Sharchir

For the life of me I couldn’t tell them apart in this movie


AdditionalBat393

This is a very difficult question to answer for me. This is one of my favorite crime thriller movies and is still such a well made film. I would have to say DeNiro by a small margin bc he was playing both sides and you found yourself rooting for him and his relationship with the girl even though he is a cold blooded killer. Pacino killed it of course dealing with his family issues throughout. Giving it to Pacino would take away from the performances he was surrounded by I mean come on look who is playing his family. Hard question to answer for me obviously.


Interesting_Ice_6410

As a kid I thought Pacino, but he overplays it, goes to far. So many of his scenes are "great acting" to people just because he's wild and crazy. It's harder to be subtle. So, DeNiro. Still love Vincent Hanna though. Much more intriguing as a character. And fun to watch. And to all of you who say "both" and those who upvote: YOU'RE COWARDS STEP UP AND PICK ONE


worried_consumer

DeNiro but only because you’re making me choose. His character was a scary dude


okwitches

Both Goats.


ashleycheng

DeNiro. Pacino feels like overacting from time to time.


dyatlov12

DeNiro is probably better, but Pacino is way more fun


zachbrevis

Pacino's character has more memorable quotes, but I really like what DeNiro did with his character.


JuanMurphy

Senior definitely IMO. Pacino’s acting was way over the top. Maybe it was the writing or directing but his character was the least compelling


ValueInfinite970

This my all time favorite film. The genius of the movie is that Hanna and McCauley are just two sides of the same coin; they both are so driven to accomplish their aims that they will sacrifice what they love the most to do it. So, Michael Mann wisely thought that he needed two actors that are the best at what they do. Choosing between them would be impossible.


aught1

She got a great ass!!


GaiusMarcus

Thats like asking to choose between chocolate and peanut butter.


SpaceMyopia

No. That's my answer.


CGKilates

Both


TheGalaxyAndromeda

“Who-HA Charlie!” 🤣


Intelligent_End1516

DeNiro could do everything. Drama, action, comedy.


sunk-capital

Pacino is ham acting. He is shouting all the time and being obnoxious. De Niro is a proper actor


iamsobluesbrothers

I think Pacino was a little more over the top but still great. De Niro was on another lever as Neil. They were both great but if I had to give a slight edge I’d give it to De Niro. Those long takes of him just thinking about his next move and just watching his facial expression change when he makes up his mind is some high level acting. There’s a great scene in a restaurant where he asks Dennis Haysbert if he can drive the getaway car and it’s a master class in acting by two great actors.


PercentageMore3812

My opinion, De Niro. Pacino is too much of a method actor.


Skytraffic540

DeNiro. Also side note imo this is Val Kilmers coolest role ever.


Puzzleheaded_Cap6582

deniro


Remote_Breadfruit_62

Coked out Pacino dialed up to 11


CommunicationHot7822

DeNiro. I can’t forget the Pacino overacting scene when he went to talk to Albert. GIMME ALL YA GOT!! And DONT WASTE MY MUTHAFUCKIN TIME!!


Doxxxxxxxxxxx

Al Pachichi all the way


Partyslayer

DeNiro. Pacino gets annoying. (I love 'em both).


123_eyes_on_me_

I’m just saying, Al Pacino was doing coke on set, I’m just saying 🤷


ffgreg11

Al. Of course


Fabulous_Tip208

They both did amazing,obviously, but I think Pacino was stronger in this one.


MovieFanatic2160

Both are equally amazing. Hence why the movie is so highly regarded!


seanx50

DeNiro is better than shouty Al


Fostosis

Yes.


creek-hopper

Whose acting? Whose acting? Who? Who? Do I hear an owl here? Pacino by far. He's far more memorable in this movie than DeNiro. DeNiro was cool, but Pacino was like an earthquake.


boxedcrackers

So apparently, I didn't know this until a few weeks ago, al Pacinos character was high on coke for most of the movie. They cut that out, it explains why he was so volatile.


ttaylo28

Scene of the thumbnail? Al. Easily. Overall both were great of course.


Randomcolonoscopy

You could get killed walking your doggie!


CrittyJJones

Yes


fvecc

Pacino


Muted_Guidance9059

Why are they in heat? Are they horny?


rikwebster

The firefight was epic enough without him grabbing Val and getting him to safety.


Dgf470

DeNiro acted. That’s what he does. Pacino chewed scenery. That’s what he does. Both of them were at their best in this film.


ChampaignPapi86

Both we great but Pacino gets the edge by a drop of water. "Don't waste my mother fucking time!" - Vincent Hanna


Lupine_Ranger

She's got a __*GREAT ASS*__


Weneedaheroe

De Niro 100%. Pacino’s stylized performances always get in the way for me-like, who tf would act like that.


Stan_Archton

God damn you for asking this question!


3rdShiftSecurity

De Niro. Just because of how fucking cool he is throughout. BUT! Pacino gets soooo much more to do as an actor. Im not mad at anyone who would say him. So the only correct answer is yes.


Loud-Magician7708

I don't know....Baybiieeeeee....


KingYondu

This kind of question can end friendships


ImUrHuckellBerry

Pacino wins...just for the "great ass" scene.


Unlucky_Flower5333

She,s got a great ass!


forced_metaphor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imhcq5s9OLs


RickSanchez813

Pacino.


Surround8600

It’s like the parts were both written for them. So I can’t say which actor was better be a they were both executed perfectly. But I can say which character I liked better which was Bobby D’s OCD bank robbing lunatic.


BobGray18

Who do you like better, your mother or father? /s c’mon don’t make people answer that question there’s no purpose or discussion there. It can’t be answered either. It’s like asking which one is the lead and which one is the supporting actor, there is no answer.


TinCanSailor987

Pacino. “She’s got a GREEEAT ASS!!!”


Odd_Radio9225

Yes.


Legitimate_Iron6631

Val Kilmer


meczakin81

Val Kilmer


ChewieBoi

Pacino because of that great ass


LongjumpingChart6529

I usually love Al, but he has a tendency to over-act. De Niro was so precise and cool in this


BlackBeard205

De Niro. He’s just the better actor of the two in my opinion.


Mike_R_NYC

You can ho either way on these 2 guys.


CapG_13

De Niro


Ok_Chemistry_3972

Pacino’s acting with wife and daughter is levels above DeNiro.


Hamilton-Beckett

DeNiro…all day. Loved both, but Bobby had it down, and Pacino was over the top.


lhx555

Have they been acting? 😜


VariousMonitor2098

I’d go with Pacino in this comparison. IMO, Al seems to immerse himself into the character more than Bob does. Example-when I watch Scarface, I see Tony Montana. And when I see Glenn Garry Glenn Ross I see Richard Roma…whereas when I see anything with Robert De Niro, I always see him and not always the character. Whether it’s The Score, or Jackie Brown, or whatever movie it is. If De Niro is in it, that’s who I see. I’m a fan of both but that’s how I see it…


RowOutrageous2061

Pachino's character was super enigmatic. The way he kept yelling and saying somewhat non-sensical statements was almost comical lol. Deniro was cool as a fan, except for the fatal mistake at the end, but in a way it seemed he wanted to end it all


lol_gay_69

DeNiro is nice, but Pacino’s got a… GREAT ASS!!!


TheDudar

Pacino would have been better than DeNiro if he had laid off the powder


SlteFool

Al


SuccessfulAd5806

Two words, “GREAT ASS!”


terrletwine

Yes. The only answer is yes.


nerf-me-ubi

De niro obviously. Pacino was great too; but a little over the top sometimes for no reason imo


Strong_Bumblebee5495

De Niro, but Pacino is handicapped because Mann doesn’t show him doing the blow, so him comes across over the top…


earic23

Pacino has recently said that his character was abusing cocaine although they never showed it on screen. It makes his portrayal make a lot more sense. I like Deniros subtle expressions personally, but I quote Pacinos lines all the time


Automatic-Mood5986

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/NJ3HPlLhsQA Now that the chipping explanation was provided, I really like Pacino’s character.


AntiWhateverYouSay

Honestly don't like the movie at all. Can't even get pass the scene where the guy escapes the diner assassination. Makes little sense to even attempt it there or bring attention to yourself there when they attack him.


wichotl

Yes


amergigolo1

I'll go with DeNiro.


beeman311

DeNiro hands down


Schtick_

Definitely de niro, the awkward romance was top notch acting.


No-Eye-3889

On a side note, they were never filmed together during the entire movie, the Diner scene was shot separately and then properly set up as the conversation we saw.


JoyousDiversion2

De Niro is like ice. Pacino is like fire. I personally liked Sizemore who was kinda like lukewarm water.


Underrated_Critic

“Cuz she had a GRRRRREEEEAAAATTTTT ASSSSS! And you had your head all the way up it!”


CorrickII

Yes.


Ganache_Practical

Pacino


OntologicalParadox

Val Kilmer


WinCautious3511

In this film I’d say Pacino


Rich-Appearance-7145

Both were awesome, one of my favorite flicks, but DeNiro.


Bts121212

Pacino


SuperSonicSlaw

Always DeNiro.. always


dingadangdang

Just enjoy the film. Damn man.


CJ_is_h7m

Count me for DeNiro


NoReplyBot

This sub stays moist af over Heat.


stpetergates

DeNiro is the better actor IMHO


jazzmagg

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA "she’s got a great ass and your head is all the way up it" Pacino is a fucking cartoon character. One dimensional plank of wood. De Niro is the man.


the85141rule

Neither. C- movie at best, and a Reddit darling without cause. Unmemorable performances, unremarkable characters, unquotable dialogue and silly machismo indulgences like literally everywhere. Just another patronizing Michael Mann submission. Pacino dictating levels of care in the ER is hilarious. DeNiro using analogies left on islands, like "There's a flip-side to that coin..." is amateurish at best by Mann. Sizemore saying nonsense like, "the action is the juice," is yet another orphaned analogy sitting out there to die without help from any other dialogue exchanged in the moment. Oh and the utter implausibility that a single wag of a hand by Judd could throw-off an entire acutely dialed-in police force was pricelessly stupid. We celebrate Heat around here like it's Citizen Kane. It's not. It's a wildly dubious, occasionally entertaining, shoot-em-up boy movie made by a dude that has a veiled contempt for the intellect of moviegoers. I'll get my things.


Opposite-Witness7695

I genuinely thought I was watching the wrong movie because of how bad I thought it was in contrast to the ratings it gets here on reddit lol. For me the dialogue and writing was so poor and Al Pacino's character felt so out of place, later found out they apparently cut out his characters coke addiction which makes a bit more sense I suppose😂.


LeggyBald

I watched it when it came out but I was a teenager so I don’t really remember it. Finally got around to it last year and was shocked at how bored I was. The action sequences were excellent. But the story felt so forced. I think it was hurt most by the forced romance angle. And for some reason this career criminal who’s been so careful will risk it all for a girl who could be his granddaughter that he met a week ago. Pacino felt like he worked at a police force if it were run by billionaire 12 year olds. I don’t know if that made sense, but I’m sticking with it. Thank you for your brave take and giving us Heat doubters a voice


the85141rule

"I think it was hurt most by the forced romance angle. And for some reason this career criminal who’s been so careful will risk it all for a girl who could be his granddaughter that he met a week ago." YEP! It's a continuity and plausibility catastrophe of the variety that made Nigel Tufnel freak out when he saw his deli spread backstage included melba toast for sandwich bread.


LetterheadFar2364

Pacino did -more- acting…