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It isn't terribly deep, but it's witty and undeniably charming, and the cast is obviously having fun. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

This film update of the "Maverick" TV series finds the title cardsharp (Mel Gibson) hoping to join a poker contest with an impressive payoff. In order to enter, Maverick must first put up a large cash sum. He scams hopeful contestants Annabelle (Jodie Foster) and Angel (Alfred Molina) in a preliminary card game to win the money he needs, making enemies of both players. While trying to evade Annabelle and Angel, the crafty Maverick realizes a cunning marshal (James Garner) is also on his tail.
  • Rating:
    PG
  • Genre:
    comedy, western
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Richard Donner
  • Producer:
    Bruce Davey, Richard Donner
  • Writer:
    William Goldman
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $101.5M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Warner Bros., Donner/Schuler-Donner, Icon Entertainment International
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround

Cast & Crew

Mel Gibson
Bret Maverick
Jodie Foster
Annabelle Bransford
James Garner
Marshal Zane Cooper
Graham Greene
Joseph
James Coburn
Commodore Duvall
Alfred Molina
Angel
Paul L. Smith
The Archduke
Geoffrey Lewis
Matthew Wicker, Eugene
Max Perlich
Johnny Hardin
Dub Taylor
Room Clerk
Richard Donner
Director
Bruce Davey
Producer
Richard Donner
Producer
William Goldman
Screenwriter
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Critic Reviews for Maverick

All Critics (53) | Top Critics (18) | Fresh (35) | Rotten (18)

  • The script is notionally based on the old television series of the same name, but the screenwriter William Goldman, has produced something depressingly up to date in its incoherence, its crisis of confidence served up with a sickly grin.

    November 15, 2017 | Full Review…

    Adam Mars-Jones

    Independent (UK)

  • [Maverick] succeeds, just barely, on the good will of its stars and the sumptuousness of its Western locations.

    September 2, 2014 | Full Review…

    Gene Siskel

    Chicago Tribune

  • By the time Donner crowds his climactic poker game with a bevy of veteran Western character actors, decades of movie tradition have been reduced to window dressing, and Maverick leaves you hungry for the real thing.

    September 2, 2014 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Jeff Shannon

    Seattle Times

  • [Gibson and Garner] 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.

    September 2, 2014 | Full Review…

    Richard Schickel

    TIME Magazine

  • Maverick is smart-alecky without being very smart. It's full of spoofy, har-dee-har-har ribaldries -- this film practically winks at you.

    September 2, 2014 | Full Review…

    Peter Rainer

    Los Angeles Times

  • This movie doesn't have the wry kick of the TV show at its best. 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.

    September 2, 2014 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Michael Wilmington

    Chicago Tribune
View All Critic Reviews (53)

Audience Reviews for Maverick

  • Oct 20, 2017
    Adapted from the hit '50s television series, Maverick is a fun and exciting western from director Richard Donner. On his way to the All River's Draw Poker Championship professional card player Bret Maverick gets into a series of misadventures while trying to collect the last three thousand dollars of his entry fee. Starring Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, Alfred Molina, and James Garner, the film has a great cast that delivers some really good performances. And the comedy is lighthearted and campy in all the right ways (without being too cute or slapsticky). Also, the fight scenes and chases are energetic and action-packed. A film that the whole family can enjoy, Maverick is entertaining and delivers a lot of laughs.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Aug 15, 2015
    Gibson has never looked crazier in a movie (Lethal Weapon included). His constant mugging for the camera here isn't funny, it's painful. Donner does his best with the material, but it never feels as fun as it wants to be.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Mar 19, 2012
    When Maverick first came out I absolutely loved it & thought the movie was hilarious.I just watched it yesterday & realized I don't like it as much as I use to.It still has a couple funny moment's but nothing that really stands out.The best thing about Maverick were the couple twists towards the end & the final twist that I should've seen coming a mile away but didn't.It's an OK movie but it's not as good as I remembered & hoped it would still be
    Brody M Super Reviewer
  • Jun 27, 2011
    We are all in the middle of a poker game and its obvious that everyone is bluffing, but I couldn't have told you what the winning hand was going to be. This movie was filled with coincidences too over-the-top that just happened to develop the plot precisely as needed, but I give an extra star for the set and costume designs.
    Matthew S Super Reviewer
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