Maverick

Forget its dubious ancestry as a popular TV show of the '50s. The combined charms of Maverick's genial cast, its sly script and its punchy direction make it the legitimate heir to escapist crowd-pleasers such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting. [20 May 1994, p.03]

Entertaining set pieces, the lively give-and-take of Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster and James Garner and a playful affection for old Westerns carry Maverick past some soft spots and emphasize its adult wit and intelligence. [20 May 1994, p.49]

The film offers us Mel Gibson as a new Bret Maverick, the Western gambler, as well as the old TV Maverick, James Garner, now playing a wry frontier sheriff. These two guys can make you smile contentedly even when the script is wandering and they're just sort of standing around waiting for its next good part to develop.

Too rich, too loaded, Maverick may have misplayed its cards, kept its eyes on the pot instead of the players. In movies, as in poker, you can't always trust a pat hand.

The plot is one the original writers would have been proud of and with Garner, himself, appearing it gives the film a seal of approval. A rare performance from Foster who is surprisingly funny and Molina giving a good supporting performance, it's an enjoyable family film.

Alternately a celebration and sendup of cowboy conventions, the movie lingers over a stunning Western landscape only to be spurred on by the principals' inexhaustible supply of escapades. The burr under the saddle: There's just too much of everything.

Cynical and bloated, Maverick is a comic western whose high-powered cast does very little but looks damned fine doing it. Even fans of the vintage TV show may find it trying.

This film is especially suitable for all those who don't like Westerns because think they're never more than train robberies and duels at sunset. Set in the Wild West, this comedy shows the adventurous way that Bret Maverick enters the most lucrative poker tournament in the region. It's a funny story that harmoniously combines action and adventure and where Mel Gibson plays the leading role. Despite his consecration, this actor is no stranger to light comedies (think of "What Women Want"), even though these aren't the kind of jobs he likes to bet. He has Jodie Foster and James Garner as supporting actors and Alfred Molina as a villain, but he manages to stand out from them and carry the film on his back in a very enjoyable way. The fact is they never seemed committed, giving Gibson a lot of space to shine even when everyone was on scene. The result, however, is frankly pleasant. This film is not a work of art nor was it thought to be. It's made for entertain the public and does so easily, with jokes, funny dialogues and action scenes where comedy comes from situations in which protagonist is involved, usually against his will. As usual in comedies, the characters are light and even somewhat stereotyped. The Indians also appear in the film, which makes fun of preconceived ideas about them. Sets and costumes are also good, and wear what we normally associate with Far West. Not worth looking for an exceptional script, great characters or a dramatic show. This movie is to watch without thinking. So sit back and enjoy.