Charming and hazardous card player Bret Maverick makes his way to a big poker championship, with a half million dollar prize up for grabs. And he has competition from the clunning Annabelle Brandsford, who he meets on the way there. Another contender is the sheriff Zane Coburn, frown-faced gun-slinger Angel and others. The catch is that before the championship, everyone has to put up 25 thousand dollars.

My review is limited to the picture and sound quality of the DVD transfer. The movie itself is fine--great cast, very funny--5 stars for the movie, 0 stars for the DVD quality. The transfer of this film to DVD is one of the worst that I have seen! The picture quality is quite poor, very grainy and almost out of focus. It seems that it was copied from a VHS version of the movie. The movie was made in 1994--it's not that old! This otherwise good movie deserves much better treatmenet than this.

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

If you like Mel Gibson, James Garner or Jodie Foster, you'll probably love this movie. All 3 get ample screentime and all their charcters are lovable rogues. This has only a slight link to the TV series as Mel Gibson plays Maverick, a gambler with same type of character as the TV series. This is a western comedy. This has adult situation scenes I would not like my 7 year old grandson to see but no nudity.

Great movie. I saw it when it came out in the early '90's. A really fun movie. Just wanted to add it to my 'Jodie Foster' collection. 8}

This movie holds up over time. Very entertaining and highly recommend seeing it.

Mel Gibson is Bret Maverick. James Garner is his pappy. Jodie Foster is Annabelle. Bret and Annabelle struggle to get the entry fee for a poker game. Comedy and action alternate. I took my son to see this because the Maverick television series was my favorite. There were 124 episodes between 1957 and 1962. It was James Garner as Bret one week and Jack Kelly as brother Bart the next. They sometimes appeared together. The appeal of Maverick is its humor. It was the exception among westerns. I sing the theme song: "Riverboat ring your bell..."

1994 - Forrest

Mel Gibson, Jody Foster and James Garner do justice to this old classic. Highly entertaining and can be watched several times.

This is a great movie!!! We love it. It's a must to any collection. Especially if you love Mel Gibson. Very funny!

On a riverbout lot of cards playing, and gambling. Lot's of strange things going on. Never a dull momtent, When the west was fun!

I love this movie. I can't believe I waited so long to purchase it.

I have two grandsons, 8 and 12. I wanted a family film we could all watch. Maverick filled the bill. In spite of a fairly complicated plot, there is no lull in the action, the comedy relaxes any tension and the surprise ending is priceless. A good choice for Movie Nite at home.

I love this movie-probably because it's a film that showcase such major league talent but never takes itself seriously. Gibson and Foster have so much chemistry that I'm surprised that they haven't worked together again. Anyway, Maverick is about a gambler trying to collect money from friends so he can get into a big poker tournament and along the way he crosses paths with the overly flirtatious/ con-artist Annabelle Bransford. Each one tries to out manuever the another in efforts to get in the big game. There's quite a lot of twist and turns that keep you laughing along the way. Highly recommended.

Hi , i was satisfied with the purchase (DVDs)i made with amazon , it was shipped accordingly. though i felt the shipping charges were quite high , it was really satisfying the way it were delivered.
To give the last word - I am satisfied with Amazon

The first time I saw this movie, I couldn't get up. Since then I've seen it several times and find the same thing each time.

It's a very clever comedy in which Mel Gibson and Jody Foster Co-star. The movie is "technically" a spoof of the TV series of the same name, but it's more enjoyable to see the movie not knowing that, as the recognition of references to the TV program are not necessary for the overall enjoyment.

It's such a terrific movie in fact, I'd suggest it for anyone, of any age; especially when you realize the movie does NOT have any strong language, extreme sexual content, many sexual references, or anything that may not be 'ideal' for small children to see.

This is a must see for anybody.

It ws great I enjoy watching this movie over and over again. Thanks

This is a two star stinker. We were promised hilarity, and all we got was smirking, a very thin story, and excessive length. Either a film is a put-on or not, and this movie could not quite make up its mind. The comedy bits fall extremely flat, and the violence is just plain nasty, as is some of the language. In short, a complete waste of time that does nothing for the reputation of Gibson and Foster.

I love this movie but was a little disapointed because the movie had finger prints all over it and it was a little scratched. The DVD was labeled as "like new".

Two gamblers, one lawman, one high stakes poker tournament, and a raft of complications.

Hilarity ensues.

I recently saw the movie Maverick again, after not having viewed it for some time. I was reminded how delightful the enterprise was--and enjoyed again the boffo ending.

In the movie, Mel Gibson plays Brett Maverick (the role essayed on television so many years ago by James Garner); James Garner plays Sheriff Zane Cooper; Jodie Foster does a nice turn as Annabelle Bransford, a larcenous gambler; Graham Graham overacts to excess, playing a Native American leader; James Coburn is Commodore Duvall, the man who organizes an "All-Star" high stakes poker match on his riverboat.

The plot has Maverick trying to acquire the money needed to enter the poker game. In his wanderings, he runs across Mrs. Bransford, Angel (played by Alfred Molina), and others. The poker game itself is fun for older viewers. We see some of the following characters from an earlier era of television: Doug McClure (who starred in one of those great Westerns from the 1950s and early 1960s), Paul Brinegar, Denver Pyle, Dan Hedaya, and so on.

It's a lot of fun, with some over the top scenes (e.g., the segment focusing on Native Americans) diminishing the whole. However, Gibson does a solid job as Maverick; Garner is his usual dependable self as an actor; Foster plays her role well; Coburn's character is well drawn.

All in all, worth giving another view if you have seen it before and worth a first look if not.

fun time in the old west. Gibson is fine as Maverick. Great to see James Garner in a western setting again.

I watched this for the first time the other day and this is HILARIOUS!!
If you like western comedies, and poker, this is for you. Highly recommended!!

Richard Donner's "Maverick" probably deserves ample recognition as among the funniest westerns ever made since Mel Brooks's "Blazin' Saddles". Based on the atypical 1960s television western starring James Garner, Mel Gibson does a great job taking over from Garner as the suave, debonair gambler Brett Maverick, en route to the World Series of Poker in Saint Louis, Missouri. He joins forces with a younger, ambitious gambler Annabelle Bransford (Jodie Foster), who is as sly as a fox, older U. S. marshal Zane Cooper (James Garner) and a sympathetic Indian pal (Graham Greene). Both Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster are hysterically funny, giving us two of their finest portrayals in their long cinematic careers. Along the way they have to contend with a devious gambler (Alfred Molina) and a whole colorful assortment of other ill-mannered Wild West bad guys (Many of these are portrayed by some legendary actors from the great Hollywood westerns, like James Coburn and Denver Pyle.). Donner does a fine job directing his cast, which apparently had a lot of fun making this film since the chemistry amongst Gibson, Foster and Garner is absolutely superb.

From the director of "Lethal Weapon" and "Superman" and it shows. Really enjoyed this film. Spectacular shots of the West - shot in Yosemite. Mel Gibson is looking old - like early 40s - but his blue eyes and long lashes are still something. He's too comic here, as he has been of late. I much preferred him in "Mrs. Soffell" and "Hamlet". And James Garner was perfect - all cool to Gibson's manic energy. And tons and tons of cameos, from Danny Glover, to Doug McClure, to Robert Fuller. But Gibson was not as smooth as Garner in the original "Maverick", nor in fact did he seem to have the same confidence in himself. The movie was entertaining but gimmicky, from the borrowings from "Lethal Weapon" and "Raiders" to Graham Greene's wisecracking Indian. It was just a little too precious. Gibson should go back to serious stuff. (And look what he does now!) I must admit the ending caught me. I had not a clue. But as a fun movie, it definitely works. James Coburn must be mentioned. He looked great, sounded great, was great. How old is he anyway? Mel Gibson should age so well. And a beautiful old steamboat. Plot was all about poker and money, what else?

This is an excellent movie. I bought it for my husband, but I have to admit I truly enjoy it too. This is one of the best comedic westerns around! It has a great plot that keeps you guessing right up until the end!

I'm surprised by all the praise this movie gets here at Amazon and beyond. There really wasn't much here I liked. The soundtrack was the usual "pap" you'd expect from a family friendly movie, though the sets were nice. It seems this movie was just miscast. Mel just doesn't do comedy all that well, at least for a lead role. Jame Garner, the reason I bought this seems more like a bystander. And Jodie is Jodie and I never bought for a moment she was her character.

Although the cast is a powerhouse (on paper), sadly the chemistry never really works and the jokes are just cornball. An example: There was a sequence when Bret asks his friends (who are standing behind him) to whistle to reveal themselves to some bandits he was confronting; which as it turns out they are unable to do. Instead Jodie and James, blow madly, just like the movie.

This movie reminds me a HELL of a lot like ''The Three Amigo's''; on paper you would think it couldn't miss, but on film it's painful to watch.

This is a western because it takes place in the old west but that is not what this film is all about. It is about laughs. It is a comedy that takes place in the old west.

Mel Gibson plays a professional gambler, Brett Maverick, who wants to pit his skills against the best poker players around in a big tournament. The entry fee is 25,000 and the prize is half a million dollars. He has most of his stake and lots of people owe him money but everything seems to go wrong as he tries to collect the money due him, always with hilarious results. As he makes his way towards to tournament, he encounters another gambler, played by Jodie Foster, who also wants to enter the tournament. She too is a bit short of a stake and will stop at nothing to get into the tournament and this includes playing the vamp and the pickpocket. The final main character is the US Marshall played by James Garner. He does not seem interested in playing poker but he is on his way to the tournament as well. He has been hired to provide security.

As they make their way to the big event, all three of the protagonists take their shots at the others. The Indians get involved and come across as the funniest, most honest and most intelligent people around. They finally get Maverick his stake (with lots of laughs) and the stage is set for the big tournament.

The tournament itself is full of laughs, surprises, twists and turns. It also has a lot of cameo appearances from old time western stars. All of this is fun but the interplay between Gibson, Foster and Garner is the real fun.

Get this one for the laughs and then prepare to hold your sides while you bust a gut laughing.

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...

The DVD Report

With a renewed interest of the "Western" genre in 80's & 90's(YOUNG GUNS, TOMBSTONE, UNFORGIVEN) and classic tv series being made into films,MAVERICK was a natural. To sum up the film, it is just a plain fun. Richard Donner and Mel Gibson take their collaboration from the LETHAL WEAPON films (and even take Danny Glover along for a hilarious cameo as far as even saying "I'm getting too old for this ----!") to make a very satisfying comedy-adventure-western. Everyone seems to be having a good time in this film and the audience is brought along for the ride. James Garner who originated the roll on tv is brought back as Marshall Zane Cooper. Mel Gibson is perfectly cast in the lead and is so likeable and engaging that no matter what predicament he gets himself into, he's going to get out of it. The plot is mainly Maverick trying to get to, and raise funds for, a poker tournament on a Louisiana steamboat. Along the way he runs into hilarious obstacles and miscreant while meeting up with unsavory charactors etc. Jody Foster on the heels of two major best-actress Oscar wins, plays it light and is surprisingly hilarious as card shark/con artist Annabelle Bransford. Alfred Molina (SPIDER-MAN 2) shows his versatility once again as bad-guy "Angel", Maverick's arch enemy. Graham Greene is hilarious as the politically incorrect Native American,Joseph who is after the mighty dollar. Also, a who's who of veteran tv and movie character actors appear in the film during the marathon poker tournament making it fun to point them out. Lastly, veteran James Garner is good in everything he does. The closing scenes with Garner & Gibson with a surprising revelation is one of the highlights of the film and totally satisfying. Overall, fun, light, entertaining and perfect.

A great movie! What an all star cast! This movie is worth watching over and over again.

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.

PICTURE QUALITY = 4-SOUND QUALITY = 5+The overall picture quality is pleasant and satisfying. Color is nice but pxilazation is very present in the begining of movie. Improves as movie goes on. This being a very senic movie I was not completly happy but still satisfied. Could've been a bit sharper and remastered from high definition but wasnt.The sound quality in Dolby was awesome. Not in Dolby Digital but on a system with Pro Logic II it souded great if not better than most non-digital dolby surround. All surround sounds are present and really stood out. The soundtrack is placed perfectly and surrounds the room. Very happpy with this DVD sound quality.THE MOVIE - *note spolier. The movie was excellent in all entertainment areas if your looking for a FUN Western movie. Comedy, action, stunts, scenery, and many great actors. Everything you would want in a "fun" western film in the old fashioned tradition. Light on violence and good enough for the whole family.*Spoiler - The best (and my favorite) thing about this movie is the fact that James Garner still plays as Maverick even though the audience doesn't know it. Watching it over and knowing that Mel Gibson is playing his role as "the son of Maverick" and James Garner is still the orginal character he played in the past makes this a great movie to watch over and over.My overall review is that it is worth buying and I'd give it 5 stars if the picture was just a touch better. Don't be fooled though, I have a large projection widescreen tv with a progressive component DVD player so I see almost any grain there is if any is present. Overall this DVD was satisfying enough to make me happy I bought it. On any other tv it will display a perfect picture. Sound quality is great on a home theatre sound system.This is a movie that should be made on a Superbit DVD.

You don't need to know a thing about the old TV show to enjoy this comedic gem. There are several plot twists that will keep you interested from start to finish. Couple that with a great script and an excellent cast and you've got the winning formula from which this movie was built upon.

P.S: Watch closely for a hilarious Danny Glover cameo!

Now don't get me wrong, the movie was great. Good acting by all and great casting. The cast always appears to be genuinely having fun throughout the movie. The script was the backbone of the movie and made this one of the best comedy / westerns ever.

However, the DVD real stinks. There are no extras except for a few production notes which are all written. I expected a lot more from such a wonderful movie.

The 2 stars are for the DVD not the movie.

A great modern made western with a lot of comedy. But it doesn't stop at the comedy.. there's plenty of action and realistic settings.