This Movie Has Good Times In Spades!

I first watched Maverick in the theater the day it was released. Since then I have watched this movie about 50 times on DVD. It just has not lost it's appeal.

This movie really has it all as far as comedies go. It has the very funny jokes that keep you laughing through the movie. It also has the more subtle humor that only reveals itself through a few viewings.

The movie follows Brett Maverick in his attempt to get enough money to enter the poker game of the century. He has to do this by getting old friends to pay up on old debts, and playing enough poker to win the rest. Sounds simple enough, but when that quest is thrust into this world, with this collection of characters... let's just say hijinx ensue.

Next to Brett Maverick, the key players are:

Anabelle Bransford (Jodie Foster) - This is a terrific comedic performance by Foster, who has surprisingly good chemistry with Gibson. Ms. Bransford is a con artist/ poker player also trying to get into the big game. When she meets Maverick she learns a thing or two about tells, and teaches him a thing or two as well.

Marshall Zane Cooper (James Garner) - The original Maverick is back, this time as a wiley old lawman, who is the embodiment of the western lawman cliche... at least till the wild end of the movie.

Chief Joseph (Graham Greene) - Wow, Chief Joseph is my favorite supporting character. When he is on screen I can not stop laughing. Starting with the conversation he has with Maverick in "Indian Language" when Joseph is first introduced, to his scheme to let the Russian Archduke hunt and kill an Indian. "Is that legal?" the Archduke asks, to which he replies, "Sure, white man been doing it for years." Graham Greene just brings the perfect touch to this role, he really pushes this movie over the top.

Angel (Alfred Molina) - I love Molina so much I wish Angel was a little bit more involved in the movie. As it stands he is villain who is supposed to "keep Maverick Out of the game" according to a telegram he gets early in the movie from an unknown sender. The highlight for this character, in my eyes, is the first poker game. "I mighta called you gutless... but not a coward, I never call a man a coward" he stammers to Maverick... classic stuff.

Commodore Duvall (James Coburn) - Coburn gives his standard turn as the Commodore. The rich organizer of this high-stakes game. Nothing much to him, he has some nice moments toward the end.


Those are the main players, but one of the standouts are all the secondary and tertiary characters that make this movie so enjoyable, including several cameos. My favorite cameo is Danny Glover, I could not stop laughing at that, especially as he delivers his classic line "I'm getting to old for this sh*t".

Another great aspect of this movie is the soundtrack. During the movie you get to hear several very good songs, the best of which, to me are Renegades, Rebels and Rogues by Tracy Lawrence, and Good Run of Bad Luck by Clint Black. Both songs work perfectly in their scenes and really add a lot to the movie.

If you haven't realized by know, I'm a big fan of this movie. Go to your local rental, or better yet video store and pick up a copy. If you have not seen this you'll be glad you did. If you just haven't seen it in a while, you'll still be glad you did.