Skip over navigation

Help

Maverick on DVD (1994)

Maverick cover art
Play Maverick trailer
Average rating: 69%
1113520191936
3.5
from 2,252 members
 
Starring: Jodie Foster, Mel Gibson, James Garner, Alfred Molina, Graham Greene, James Coburn, Corey Feldman, Dan Hedaya, Geoffrey Lewis, William Marshall, Doug McClure, Denver Pyle, Bert Remsen, Dub Taylor, Paul Brinegar, Max Perlich, Clint Black
Director: Richard Donner
Studio: WARNER HOME VIDEO
Run time: 121 mins
Certificate: 15
Collections: 100 Big Adventures
User collections: Films that top my list, 10 Best movies ever!
Genres: Comedy
Languages: English
Hearing-impaired: English
Subtitles: Arabic, Croatian, Czech, English, Greek, Hungarian, Icelandic, Polish, Turkish
Released: 14/03/2005
Also Available on:  Also Available on: DIGITAL

Brief synopsis of Maverick

An updating of the classic Western TV series "Maverick," this comic oater finds our fast-talking, hard-gambling hero surviving many adventures while trying to come up with enough money to play in a high-stakes poker game. Penned by William Goldman with music by Randy Newman. Academy Award Nominations: Best Costume Design.

Related

Critics Reviews

Rating of 3 stars out of 5 Radio Times

It's ironic that this comedy western should have been written by script doctor supreme William Goldman, as it's clearly in need of a little attention itself. Goldman has produced a gentle tribute to the hit TV series, but misses what was surely a golden opportunity for a razor-sharp spoof. There's no doubt the stars had a ball, though, with Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster sparking nicely as the eponymous gambler and the con artist who is more than his match. But it's left to James Garner (who played the original Bret Maverick), saddled with a role that is little more than a clumsy in-joke, to demonstrate what comic acting is really all about.

Rating of 1 
	  stars out of 4 Halliwell's Film Guide

Based on the TV series that starred James Garner, this is a relaxed and rambling romp, a jokey tale of double-cross in a Western setting which would have been far better with its last half-hour excised.

Time Out

Richard Donner's big-screen offshoot of the old TV Western series, from a Butch Cassidy-meets-The Sting script by... Read more on www.timeout.com

See all 6 Critics Reviews »

Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 5 starsexcellent

A customer from gwaenysgor, rhyl, flintshire , 28/08/2005

this is a very funny film, with twists and turns throughout.

there are outstanding performances from jodie foster, mel gibson and james garner.

even at the end there is a twist.

well worth watching.

my family loved every minute, and watched it at least half a dozen times before we sent it back.

  4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Rated - 5 starsGreat Movie !!!

A customer from GLASGOW , 16/07/2005

A 1990's Western comedy featuring Mel Gibson, Maverick was a breath of fresh air when first appeared in theaters. The film doesn't take itself so seriously as many films with a Western setting tend to do. Based on the 1950's television series by the same name in which James Garner had a starring role, Maverick is a uniquely clever and entertaining adventure comedy...

When Bret Maverick (Mel Gibson) needs $25,000 to enter a winner-take-all poker tournament, he travels through towns en route to the tournament in the hopes of winning every dollar he needs. But he quickly encounters Angel (Alfred Molina), a roughneck poker player in his own right who tries to kill Maverick (his attempt inevitably fails).

Along the way, Maverick meets up with Ms. Annabelle Bransford (Jodie Foster) - a slick, conniving poker player who picks Maverick's pocket following a brief romantic encounter. When Maverick catches her, he forces her to wash his shirt as punishment. Shrinking his designer shirt, Annabelle runs off to catch a riverboat with Maverick running after her. After boarding the boat, the two are joined by Marshal Zane Cooper (James Garner) - a kind, retired sheriff famous throughout the West. Cooper's chivalry and hospitality greatly contrast with Maverick's brisk demeanor when it comes to dealing with Ms. Bransford.

As the three travel cross country, they face a series of pitfalls such as a dead coach driver who almost runs their coach off the top of a cliff, a showdown with hundreds of Indians, and Maverick's financial dealings with an Archduke from Russia. Separated in the confusion, the three eventually meet again on the Riverboat Lauren Belle, home of the championship poker game hosted by the riverboat's owner Commodore Duvall. Making use of his quick wit, Maverick raises the extra cash he needs to join the poker game (as well as a few thousand extra for Annabelle Bransford). Commodore Duvall puts Marshal Zane Cooper in charge of guarding the $500,000 in entry fees for the tournament in which Angel also happens to be a participant. But in addition to beating Angel, Maverick faces other obstacles of even greater challenge...

Overall, Maverick is great entertainment. The acting is superb on all fronts with standout performances by Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, and James Garner. Each of the main characters creates a likeable persona. And what makes this movie a must-see (because the plot leaves much to be desired) is the ability of the on-screen characters to create a personal connection with the audience. Several of the scenes in this film are absolutely hilarious, such as the ones with Joseph (Graham Greene). Maverick isn't the type of movie that will win Academy Awards or leave one pondering the fundamental principles of the universe, but it is a whole lot of fun. And if you want to do is laugh, give this movie a try...

  2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Rated - 0 starsWhat a loathesome film

A customer from London , 05/03/2007

Never before have I felt compelled to write a review, until now.

This film is absolutely appauling. The story line was so weak we simply could not believe it wasn't building up to some amazing 'aah, now I get it!' ending. The director did indeed have something in store for us, the worst ending to a film ever. Congratulations! Do not rent this unless you want to justifiably ridicule the actors in front of their biggest fans - just to make your point. Atrocious waste of my Thursday evening.

  2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Rated - 4 starsVery Funny

Mark Ashby from welwyn garden city , england , 01/09/2005

Really enjoyed this humourous western.Loved this film from start to finish very cheeky and funny.You should all love this film. Watch Watch

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all reviews

Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 4 starsVery Funny

Mark Ashby from welwyn garden city , england , 01/09/2005

Really enjoyed this humourous western.Loved this film from start to finish very cheeky and funny.You should all love this film. Watch Watch

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all highest rated reviews

Rated - 3 stars

A customer from MANCHESTER , 19/08/2004

An updating of the classic Western TV series "Maverick," this comic oater finds our fast-talking, hard-gambling hero surviving many adventures while trying to come up with enough money to play in a high-stakes poker game. Penned by William Goldman with music by Randy Newman. Academy Award Nominations: Best Costume Design.

  1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Report offending content.

Read all highest rated reviews