I thought you'd be amused by this comparison of "gangster styles" from David Thomson's book, "Beneath Mulholland," a collection of essays on the film industry. Thomson, writing about the influence of gangsters on Hollywood moguls, says:
"Ever since movies began, the guys in charge of the business have aspired to the manner of GQ mobsters. It was "The Godfather" that locked the image down. Michael Corleone has been the guiding light of style and stealth in Hollywood for the last 25 years--withdrawn, austere, shy, a dandy, indifferent to the flesh, a beetle on the dung of money, whispering orders for destruction or elimination, all for the sake of the business. There is a rowdier model, too--Joe Pesci in any number of roles, always about to attack, always saying "f***," always degrading women, always dangerous and unschooled. The only reason to see "Casino" is to watch the struggle in Scorsese's soul as to whether he most wanted to be Pesci or DeNiro, the unbridled Kong mobster or Mr. Cool, who fusses over every detail of his business and likes to sit in his plush office with his pants hanging folded in the closet so as not to lose their hard crease."

Very interesting article, Turnbull! That is really cool. Although I think Pacino is the all time greatest actor... I think Pesci nails the "mobster" role better. Look at GoodFellas and Casino. I mean, sure Pacino's performance of Michael Corleone is one of the all time greatest performances of all time... But Pesci's roles as Nicky Santoro and Tommy DeVito blew me away as to gangster characteristics. It just seems more real.

If both Pacino and Pesci were don's in the movie Godfather then we could talk about who's better.
The role of Al in Godfather and the role of Pesci in Goodfellas and Casino can't be compared.. just because Pesci plays this funny taklative and VERY aggresive guy in both of the movies... while Pacino in most of the Godfather is calm when problems arise.

Just try to imagine Pesci with his characteristics given in Goodfellas and Casino be a godfather with those same characteristics in Godfather movie. When a issue would pop-up he would whack everybody while Pacino's characteristics were different.. as you know he was calm and tried to negotiate... Pesci cant negotiate

I just can't see Pesci as a Don! True he is a great mobster, but is best as a "punk" type hitman. He can be cold, swarmy and downright "evil" and yet at times comical.

Pacino, on the other hand, I think could do both roles; he was mean/cold/cunning (yet smart) in GF; he was a comical bumbling criminal in DDA.

Then again, they each have their own personal traits that belong to "only" them.

TIS

Easy does ?

Al Pacino make a better Nicky Santoro than Joe Pesci as Michael Corleone?

IMO, yes.

Pacino plays a great Michael Corleone which is a romanticized version of the mafia. Pesci on the other hand plays a great true to life mobster. This isn't counting Donnie Brasco in which Pacino played a mobster who had to struggle the whole time to make the big score.

It comes down to basic animal instincts. Pacino is more of an earner. A Boss. Pesci is a killer, more of a soldier. And let's face it, Pesci's characters are not always the brightest apples in a bunch.