World’s Top Actors Reunite for Redemption in Worst 2000s Thriller!

Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, two legends of Hollywood cinema and friends for nearly five decades, waited a long time before truly sharing the screen. Despite both appearing in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather Part II,” which won 6 Oscars, their characters never interacted in this epic film that spans over three hours.

Their on-screen relationship slightly evolved in 1995 with “Heat,” another classic by Michael Mann. However, even then, the two stars had very limited screen time together. It was not until 2008 that they finally shared several scenes in Jon Avnet’s “Righteous Kill.” Yet, this collaboration did not achieve the anticipated success, and Robert De Niro still harbors a bitter taste from it today.

A Disappointing Film Despite a Stellar Cast

Upon its release, “Righteous Kill” was highly anticipated, especially because Al Pacino and Robert De Niro played veteran detectives on the verge of retirement, investigating a series of mysterious murders. These murders seemed connected to a serial killer they had previously arrested, raising troubling questions about possible miscarriages of justice. The film also featured 50 Cent, Carla Gugino, John Leguizamo, and Donnie Wahlberg.

Despite the promising plot, the film failed to captivate critics or the public. It was labeled as a “second-tier” police thriller, and even fans of the two legends were left disappointed. On our site, viewers gave it an average rating of 2 out of 5, while specialized media were even harsher, rating it 1.5 out of 5. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film garnered only 18% positive reviews.

In a 2019 interview with Variety, Robert De Niro acknowledged this disappointment. He recalled a conversation with Al Pacino at the premiere in Rome, where he remarked to the fans who had turned out: “I said, ‘It’s great that you’re all here, but it would be better if it were for a film we’re truly proud of. Next time, we’ll make one that we love.’“

A Promise Fulfilled with The Irishman

It took 11 years for De Niro to fulfill his promise. In 2019, “The Irishman,” directed by Martin Scorsese, saw him reunited with his old pal, along with Joe Pesci. This third attempt was the charm, and their collaborative effort (featuring many shared scenes) was universally praised by critics and fans alike, finally giving them a collaboration they could truly take pride in.

For those interested, “Righteous Kill” is available on VOD. “Heat” and “The Irishman” can be found on Netflix, with “Heat” also available on Disney+.