Review of The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw

This was an OK movie. It was really neat seeing all the classic TV western stars like the McCains, the guys from the Virginian, Cheyenne, Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and Bart Maverick. Some of them aged better than others. Kenny and Reba did a great job. They really are two of the better country singers to make that crossover into acting. I do have some complaints though. The biggest one was their treatment of Bart Maverick. You can tell by the scripting that the writers must have been mad that they didn't get James Garner as Bret Maverick. They had one line where after losing a hand, Bart says Bret would have drawn that card, and another where he says that he isn't even the best poker player in his own family. With this movie turning out to be Jack Kelly's last appearance before he died, I think he deserved better than once again having to play second fiddle to James Garner who wasn't even in the movie! Then there was the use of cars and a motorcycle. This is western. My last complaint has to do with Ethan knowing how to fight, he gets into the boxing match and can't fight worth a darn, and then later he is suddenly a good fighter again when they mix up with the bad guys on the streets.