Maverick (1994)

Inspired by the 1960s TV series that starred James Garner in the title role, this lightweight Western from 1994 proved to be a surprising box-office hit. Well, maybe not such a big surprise, since it's from the star and director of the Lethal Weapon movies, and operates with a similar combination of mainstream plotting and easygoing humor. Mel Gibson stars as card-playing gunslinger Brett Maverick, who meets up with wily gambler Annabelle Bransford (Jodie Foster) and a marshal named Zane Cooper (James Garner, trading his old role to Gibson) on his way to the World Series of poker in St. Louis. Maverick's trying to raise the $5,000 needed to join the high-stakes contest, but that's easier said than done due to a lot of unscrupulous competition and a twisting plot of tricks and deceptions. It's all played for laughs and action, so the movie never wears out its welcome, despite a running time that could've used a good trimming. It's also fun to see the rapport between Gibson and Garner, as if the present and former Mavericks were a kind of surrogate son and father, bonded by their mutual skill in charming and conning their way through tight spots. Director Richard Donner also pays tribute to old Westerns by casting veterans of the genre in cameo roles (including Bert Remsen, Dub Taylor, and Denver Pyle), and Gibson's Lethal Weapon costar Danny Glover pops in for a surprise appearance. None of this really adds up to much since the movie makes no pretense about taking itself seriously, but that's precisely why audiences found it so entertaining. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com essential video

 "Maverick"--horrible DVD transfer
My review is limited to the picture and sound quality of the DVD transfer. The movie itself is fine--great cast, very funny--5 stars for the movie, 0 stars for the DVD quality. The transfer of this film to DVD is one of the worst that I have seen! The picture quality is quite poor, very grainy and almost out of focus. It seems that it was copied from a VHS version of the movie. The movie was made in 1994--it's not that old! This otherwise good movie deserves much better treatmenet than this. April 21, 2008

 Where's Bart?
Maverick DVD

Mel Gibson stars as a bumbling gambler who is trying to join a poker game. The movie is based on a TV series. Jodie Foster co-stars as does James Gardner who was in the original TV series, as Bret, I believe. Bart was his Brother. Highly recommended for fans of Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster and fans of the original TV series.

Gunner April, 2008
April 14, 2008

 Better than the TV series
If you like Mel Gibson, James Garner or Jodie Foster, you'll probably love this movie. All 3 get ample screentime and all their charcters are lovable rogues. This has only a slight link to the TV series as Mel Gibson plays Maverick, a gambler with same type of character as the TV series. This is a western comedy. This has adult situation scenes I would not like my 7 year old grandson to see but no nudity. April 7, 2008

 GREAT ACTING ALL AROUND!
Great movie. I saw it when it came out in the early '90's. A really fun movie. Just wanted to add it to my 'Jodie Foster' collection. 8} April 6, 2008

 Fun Movie
This movie holds up over time. Very entertaining and highly recommend seeing it. April 5, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...