I don't think anyone will argue against DeNiro's talent. It is top notch. I just don't understand the choice he made several years ago when he starting leaning more toward silly, zany type comedies. He's good in anything he does, but its obvious his strong suit as an actor are more serious minded films.
It's probably exhausting being a legend. I'm not even kidding. If you're in as many classics as he was in early in his career, you end up held to an unreasonable standard that means 10X more to fans than it does to him
I don't think RD wakes up in the morning, brushes his teeth, looks in the mirror and thinks "Wow! You're that guy who starred in Taxi Driver, The Deer Hunter, Raging Bull, and The Godfather II! You're a big deal!" Holding out for roles that will compare favorably to those is a futile effort, as they've all long since attained "canonized classic" status. They've become the "gold standard" for the types of films they inspired.
So if I'm Deniro, I am probably not going to bother trying to chase my own past. I'm just going to take what roles seem like they'll be fun and lucrative and remain blissfully unconcerned with reviews or The Interweb's opinion. At least that's my theory.
He's one of the richest Hollywood actors. He's net worth is more than $200 million. De Niro is involved in real estate development and restaurant ownership ('Nobu'). So, I think he's doing these kind of movies just for fun, not money!
Gentlemen you can't fight in here. This is the war room.
He has two oscars and other awards. Furthermore, he's 73 years old. I am sure he's just having fun with the movies he's in nowadays. He has nothing to prove anymore.
I think you have the right answer. Like you said he's proven himself and why not enjoy it now. Doing serious movies for a better part of his life. Comedies must be less stressful and easier, also I think he's good at it. Especially by the fact that he's not typecasted as that kind of actor makes him even funnier. I'm still watching the movie and laughed pretty much the whole time. (Are you still Jenny from the cockblock?) You just don't expect that from him so... even better. The Family was good also IMO.
It's interesting when you compare him to Michael Caine, who through the 70s and 80s appeared in some atrocious films simply because the pay was good, but since 2000 has been more careful with his choices, and put in some amazing performances. On the other hand, DeNiro's doing what Caine did earlier in his career and his films since 2000 have been pretty poor choices.
Interesting point about Caine. Although I don't think his early choices were as bad as you're making out. Don't forget he did a lot of decent films in that era also. But perhaps there were a fair few he did for the money.