Review of 'Maverick'

Gambler and con artist Maverick (Mel Gibson) is looking for an additional $3,000 to enter a “winner takes all” poker tournament but everyone he asks to give him what they owe him, give him a sob story and, as a softie, he gives in…so he is still short. In a poker game he meets an attractive con artist Annabelle (Jodie Foster) who continually tries to pick his pockets. The following day the two are joined by Marshal Zane Cooper (James Gartner) as they travel by stagecoach to the poker tournament. Their journey is interrupted with the unexpected death of the stagecoach driver then they come across a group of settlers who say they have been attacked by Indians who have stolen their money but this proves to be bandits and then they come across a real group of Indians led by Joseph (Graham Greene) who Maverick knows…despite all of this, Maverick is still short the $3,000 and the tournament is only days away…

An entertaining, film from Mel Gibson at the height of his talent. There is even a nod to his famous “Lethal Weapon” franchise with the appearance of Danny Glover as a bank robber (there is a bit of a double take when the two see each other…). Later the smart-talking Indian Joseph and Maverick exchange a conversation in a native language (“wave your arms in the air and say lots of words”, “point at various people and shout”) that pokes fun at the group he finds himself travelling with to the tournament. This is just a taste of all of the ironic and fun twists that fill this film. I have to admit I sort of suspected there would be a major twist at the end of the film at the tournament and in this I was not disappointed with twist after twist up until the final credits…

This is a film that never takes itself seriously which is all the better for it as concentrating on things like the oppression of the native Americans would have seriously changed the tone (though this is not played at all played for laughs here…). It is all about the soft-hearted Maverick simply trying to get to a poker tournament but getting taken advantage of all along the way, despite his talent as a sharp-shooter and his “street smarts”.

The film is based on the “Maverick” television series from 1957 to 1962 and starred, yes, James Gartner so it is good to see him return in this film as a big part of the plot. Part of the fun of the film is the way the three leads play off one another - Foster is great as the feisty swindler, and Gartner is equally fun as the pragmatic lawman. They are joined by a huge cast of famous western singers such as Clint Black, Waylon Jennings, Vince Gill, and Reba McEntire.

It is a silly and fun comedy with a good heart and a plot that keeps you guessing up until the credits. It does seem a bit long as it takes it's time taking us to the poker tournament, but it is a fun ride.

Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”

Review Date: 2026-06-13

Directed by: Richard Donner

Studio: Donner/Shuler-Donner Productions

Year: 1994

Length: 127 minutes

Genre: Action/Adventure

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110478/