Like a smooth card mechanic, director Richard Donner playfully maneuvers his delightful cast through the kind of unpretentious fun that helped make the James Garner hit television show Maverick a big screen blow up summer success in 1994. Mel Gibson steps into the iconic role of Bret Maverick, and deals the laughs with just the right amount of Burt Reynolds’ 1970’s cockiness that keeps the film from taking itself too seriously – as he tries to come up with a bankroll for a high-stakes, “winner take all” poker tournament – and he’s leaving no card unturned to come up with the money. Maverick just might meet his match in Annabelle (Jodie Foster), a charming grifter who can put one hand on your heart and another on your wallet. James Garner is the no-nonsense Marshal Zane Cooper, and his square jawed likability anchors the plot twists. A character actor cavalcade the likes of James Coburn, Alfred Molina, Dub Taylor, Geoffrey Lewis, and Dan Hedaya help turn Roy Huggins & William Goldman’s script into a winning hand – so put on your lucky shirt and take a seat for this one.
“There can be little doubt that a whole new generation is about to discover the charm, wit and fun of Maverick.” – Leonard Klady, Variety
“This is a rollicking, Saturday afternoon adventure, the quintessential summer movie.” – Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
“The first lighthearted, laugh-oriented family Western in a long time, and one of the nice things about it is, it doesn’t feel the need to justify its existence. It acts like it’s the most natural thing in the world to be a Western.” – Roger Ebert
