Product Description

This fun-filled western romp about a charming con-man is based on the classic tv series. Features scene access and production notes. Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 06/07/2005 Starring: Mel Gibson Jodie Foster Run time: 127 minutes Rating: Pg

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5049 in DVD
• Brand: Warner Brothers
• Released on: 2004-06-01
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English, French
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish, French
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 127 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
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

From The New Yorker
Richard Donner's big-screen version of the popular TV Western series of the fifties couldn't be called a travesty of a classic, because the original show was itself resolutely un-classic-a genial revisionist take on the genre. The series' hero, Bret Maverick (then played by James Garner), wasn't a paragon of rugged integrity or two-fisted masculinity, but a slick, witty, suspiciously well-dressed gambler, whose pained reluctance to do what a man's gotta do was the show's richest source of comedy. The new Bret Maverick (Mel Gibson) is still a charmer, but an antsy, wild-eyed, motormouthed one, like the deranged daredevil cop that Gibson plays in the "Lethal Weapon" pictures. The whole movie has a frantic quality that seems a poor substitute for the original's sly, relaxed humor. There are a few laughs, but the picture feels awfully long, because almost everyone is trying too hard: the few performers who aren't, like James Coburn and Garner himself (on hand to play straight man to the star), come off best. At a couple of points, Garner has to remind Gibson not to "babble," and the dry old pro gets his laugh so effortlessly that it's impossible not to take his side. Also with Jodie Foster, Graham Greene, and Alfred Molina. -Terrence Rafferty
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Customer Reviews

ALL ROUND ENTERTAINMENT
Mel Gibson's Maverick is somewhat goofy but charming, sly, and fairly humorous.

A number of excellent cameos provide some comic relief, especially Danny Glover near the beginning of the movie. The biggest surprise for me was Jodie Foster, who, in an impressively rare comedic role, thankfully discards her repetoire of facial tics for a much more natural performance here.

The plot is kept pretty simple until near the end -- and the end has a great twist, which I won't divulge. Suffice it to say that your time will be well spent.

Recommended rental for sure, but also consider buying this excellent DVD because this comedy does well with repeat viewing.

Maverick - This is a hilarious film!
Maverick is a hilarious, enjoyable and fun film to watch and bears well over several viewings. Of course, how could this film have missed given its cast; Mel Gibson, James Garner, Jodie Foster, James Coburn and a whole slew of other stars to include an outrageously funny cameo by Danny Glover. The more interesting thing here is that James Garner played Brett Maverick when it was a television series many moons ago and he had turned down many film scripts for this one where he didn't even play the lead. Maverick is a big hit and all involved in making this fine western/comedy deserve all of the accolades they received for it!

The premise:

Bert, oops I mean Brett Maverick (Mel Gibson) is a card playing and fast drawing hustler who is on his way to good old St. Louis for a huge poker tournament. His main problem is that he's three thousand dollars short of the entry fee so he decides to stop in another town and play another round of poker in the hopes of picking up some of the three thousand he needs. This is where he meets Annabelle Branford played by the ever beautiful Jodie Foster. Mrs. Branford's beauty is matched only by her desire to pick up the money to enter the big poker game as well. Not too long afterwards we meet Zane Cooper (James Garner) who is a lawman of some fame and he just happens to be going the same way as Maverick and Mrs. Branford. What follows is most definitely one of the most hilarious westerns ever made. I would highly recommend this film to any and all fans of the stars and this genre.

Special Features:

Production notes: This particular DVD is "all" about the film itself as there is very little in the way of special features. The production notes are of course in text and somewhat interesting. {ssintrepid}

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