MovieChat Forums > Maverick (1994) Discussion > Likeable film but something missing

Likeable film but something missing

posted 4 years ago by Drooch (5333)
3 replies | jump to latest

I find that the card games at the beginning and end are the strongest parts, but the middle kinda drags. It’s a comedy but with dramatic actors, and I feel it should either have more bite (like Indiana Jones) or have comedy actors doing their thing.

Instead it plays out as a romp where the actors seem to be having a great time but it doesn’t really engage. The Randy Newman score is also very cartoon (almost identical to his Toy Story one).

Some more badass moments like when Mel draws his gun at the start, some added tension and danger, and more witty dialogue would have kept the energy up I reckon.

[–] TandyMan (10632) 4 years ago

Interesting. I don't remember anything about the middle of the movie. It's almost a romcom, right? Mel doing his charming Mel routine. I remember all the great sets and costumes though.

[–] Drooch (5333) 4 years ago

You’ve got the wagon wheel action sequence, some tomfoolery with his Injun friends, some Christian missionary women, stealing money from robbers and shooting (but not killing) them.

The bit where he’s got a noose around his neck while sat on his horse, and the bad guys toss a bag of rattlesnakes on the ground, leaving him to die - that’s a cool bit with comedy and tension, again like Indiana Jones. Unfortunately he survives through blind luck which is bad writing.

Either have Steve Martin in the lead and keep the Disney vibe, or go PG-13 and bring the tone in line with Mel’s natural gravitas.

[–] bellington83 (3270) 4 years ago

It's my favourite Mel Gibson movie, it has the right amount of caperish-ness and humour (That scene with the bank robbers and one of them is Danny Glover):D. I think each character plays of each other very well. I also think it's Jodie Fosters best movie.