Major Payne
Tags: cult, comedy, humor, prank

Plot synopsis:
U.S. Marine Corps Major Benson Winifred Payne, a hardened Marine, returns from a violent but successful drug raid in South America, only to find out that he was once again not promoted to lieutenant colonel. Payne receives an honorable discharge on the grounds that "the wars of the world are no longer fought on the battlefield", and that his military skills are no longer needed.
After he leaves the military, Payne finds life as a civilian unbearable and reaches his breaking point. To help adjust, he applies for a job as a police officer; however, during the test to see how applicants handle domestic violence disputes, he overreacts and repeatedly slaps the man who hit his wife in the scenario. Payne is put into jail on charges of assault. His former general visits him and informs Payne that he has secured a job for him that will get him back in the military.
Payne arrives at Madison Preparatory School in Virginia, and is informed by the principal that his job is to train the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps "green boys", a disorderly group of delinquents and outcasts who have placed last in the Virginia Military Games eight years running. When Payne sees his company, he immediately tells them that, under his direction, they will win the games at all costs, regardless of their various shortcomings: being overweight, sickly, deaf, cross-eyed, orphaned, or from a dysfunctional home; they are all pushed equally. He clashes with Emily Walburn, the Academy counselor who tries to soften Payne's discipline with understanding and feelings, particularly towards six-year old orphan Tiger.
Payne's training and punishments are harsh, which force the cadets to execute a series of failed schemes to get rid of Payne. Things come to a head when Payne offers them the chance to get rid of him - if they get the Military Games trophy he will resign voluntarily, so the boys sneak into rival Wellington Academy to steal it. However, Payne places an "anonymous call" to Wellington, leading to the boys being ambushed by their rivals.
Outside of the academy, Payne bonds with Emily and Tiger. Returning to the academy, Payne is confronted by lead misfit Alex Stone (Steven Martini) about his deception, but Payne claims it was to show them what the real prize was. With their desire to honestly earn the trophy added to their desire to be rid of Payne, the boys begin to train hard to win. When Stone's alcoholic, obnoxious stepfather appears unannounced and harasses Alex, Major Payne orders him away, granting Payne an iota of respect with the cadets.
Payne is asked to return to the Marines to fight in Bosnia, but his deployment means he will miss the Military Games and disappoint the boys and Emily. As he waits for his train, he sees a family spending time together, has a vision of Emily, Tiger and himself barbecuing in a front yard, prompting him to realize that he has fallen for Emily.
At the games, the boys are holding their own until a Wellington cadet trips up Alex during the race, spraining his ankle and rendering him unable to lead the drill. This also incites a rumble between the teams that threatens to disqualify Madison. However, Payne gives up his commission and shows up at the last minute, smooths things over with the referees and appoints Tiger to lead the cadence. The group executes an unorthodox but entertaining routine which wins them the trophy.
On the first day of the new school year, Payne resumes being an instructor, having settled down with Emily and Tiger, with Stone resuming his role as a squad leader. When a new wise-cracking blind cadet shows up, Payne proceeds to shave him and his seeing-eye dog bald with his field knife, proving once again that new recruits must earn his respect.

Review: Both these things lead me to imagine that Major Payne has all the makings of a great cult comedy in the truest meaning of that term.If I were to offer anyone advice it would be to watch the first ten minutes of the film next time it's on TV.
I suspected it was going to be another one of those parody flicks like Scary Movie or Hot Shots, but was pleasantly surprised at the way it panned out.
Yet it still works, because even though they don't let on that they know, you still know that the film-makers are aware how cheesy it all is, and in fact I think they are gently sending up all those "inspirational" feelgood movies, without being offensive towards them.
This is achieved in part through Wayans' stand out performance, and the blend of realistic (Payne's behaviour towards his charges is apparently mirrored in some real drill instructors) with ridiculous (a 6 year old military cadet??!!)  Also, the director's use of music is inspired - consistently over the top at the right moment (eg "Respect") to heighten the humour.Standout moments for me were the 'Little Engine Who Could' scene and Payne's "vision" whilst waiting at the station.
10 minutes is the cut off point!I should just add that although I was in the R.A.F cadets at school, and have a brother in the British army (a Major, no less!!!) I have not been through the 'boot camp experience', yet still found the movie to be very funny.
This is the kind of movie that you tell your friends they just HAVE to see, and HAVE to buy to watch over and over.I was an ROTC student in high school, and while it's not even remotely as melodramatic as this movie, the drill team scene at the end brought back fond memories (yup, we really did cool drills like that)...Damon Wayans is just...damn, he's funny.
It's a movie about a Major who was discharged from the Military, and was assigned to an Junior ROTC program, it proves to be the biggest challenge of his life.
Major Payne, nothing but a funny movie..
Here's a movie that I watch all the time.Major Payne is just a funny movie.It's a true classic.The jokes are just so well done that you want to watch this movie over and over again.The acting was okay, but is made up for when the way the movie is meant to be funny.The music is very good with a great mix of all kinds of music.I just have fun watching Major Payne.Overall if you want a classic movie that is very funny, then Major Payne is the movie for you.I give Major Payne 10 out of 10.A true Classic..
As a whole Major Payne was one of the most funniest movies I've ever watched.
Damon Wayans did an excellent job as Major Payne.
Major Payne took an unexpected approach by putting those kids through hell as though they were in boot camp with Sargent Hartman from "Full Metal Jacket".
I'm not much of a Damon Wayans fan, but this is one of my favorite movies.
The cover is misleading since Major Payne doesn't smile much in the movie.
I think Damon Wayans is a genius the way he makes it seem like the movie was written specifically for him.There are parts of this movie that nearly put me on the floor with laughing.I wish there were more comedies of this standard..
I don't know, maybe its just me but I think Major Payne is a great movie it's definitely a classic!!
Major Payne is an extremely funny film.
I guess peacenicks and the sort would be offended by such 'violence' but no-one forces them to sit and watch, right?This movie is hilarious, especially after being mistreated by a Drill Instructor myself down in Parris Island.
You have to be a Marine to understand that folks like Payne are not that rare, only they are more obnoxious about the pride of belonging to the Corps.Great family entertainment..
I can't think of a better movie to watch to give comic relief and some emotional counterbalance to the whole dreadful experience of boot camp.Many of the gags are side-splittingly funny, and the vocal tones and mannerisms of Major Payne are just spot-on hilarious (again, not everybody will find it funny, mainly it's for those who were there).
Well, I was wrong.Nonetheless, to point out the good parts, Damon Wayans was funny as "Major Payne," dishing out some genuinely funny insult lines to the kids.
She looks and sounds a lot like Jada Pinkett.This is a fun movie...but I don't recommend it for kids..
Major Payne (1995) ** 1/2 (out of 4)Major Payne (Damon Wayans) is a killing machine but when he's discharged from the marines he is forced to take over a group of unfit and misguided children.Throughout the history of cinema, going back to the silent era, there have been comedies about tough Army men who end up with idiots that they have to deal with, which is pretty much what you got with this film.
There's certainly nothing ground-breaking in the material but if you're a fan of Wayans then you'll probably enjoy his act here.Obviously, seeing Wayans act like a tough guy is where most of the laughs come from as he struts around barking orders as well as insults to the children.
I remember seeing this in a theater and hearing complaints from some parents who thought the jokes crossed a line but for the most part they are funny for what they are.The support cast of characters are good for the most part but they're obviously just punching bags for the lead character.
As with most films like this, the loveable ending seems a bit forced and is a bit silly but the film delivers enough laughs to make it worth watching..
If it's not the funniest movie ever you will at least have a lot of good lines to use the rest of your life.
The dichotomy in reviewer assessments of MAJOR PAYNE has, I fear, more to do with the reviewers' life experiences than the film.
MAJOR PAYNE is like a time capsule, a reflection of a world long gone.
i love this movie and this is actually the first time i have watched it in about 2 or so years except for gifts of the end from a cable Chanel a while ago, all in all It is a great movie, Damon Waynes is a great comedian/actor and the next on my movie line up is Waynes world 1 and Waynes world 2, both also great, and i might siphon sin city from my living room but anyway great movie love it major Payne is utterly brilliant...........................
Before Damon Wayans started appearing in movies like "Bamboozled", he starred in completely silly flicks like "Major Payne".
As you might expect, there's a lot of humor that seems like they deliberately wanted it to be stupid, but the movie does elicit a few laughs.
Last night I was looking for a movie to watch and I came across Major Payne, with Damon Waynes as the star.
I wasn't too sure if the movie would work, from the looks of the cover, it just looked like an over the top comedy that would have forceful humor.
This movie is by no means Oscar material, but it's just a fun little comedy that I'm sure will get you a few laughs.
The story is Full Metal Jacket, just the more fun and light version.Major Payne is kicked out of the military after having a few "anger" problems.
He drives them crazy, so much so, to the point where they wanna prove themselves and win the trophy against other tougher military schools and prove to Major Payne who's the best troop around.Major Payne is pretty stupid at times, but it was just a fun comedy.
I couldn't help but laugh at the part where they hire Bam Bam to beat up Major Payne, it looks like the kids finally won and yet of course, Major Payne wins again.
Not to mention when Major Payne was reading one of the kids a bed time story and how graphic he got with it, I know it was a stupid part, but it was just so funny to me.
Major Payne is worth a look, I thought it was a cool comedy that put a different twist on boot camps all around the world.6/10.
'Major Payne' is a film about a major who makes life a living Hell for his small group of boys in the marines.
I liked the beginning of the movie where this soldier gets shot, and Major Payne breaks his finger to forget about the gunshot wound.
I think if you are into comedies then this is must see movie, but even if your not it's still worth a watch!!!.
After being passed over for promotion yet again, Major Benson Payne accepts that his brand of `killing machine' is no longer required by the military and goes to take a job with the military academy within a preparatory school.
Teenagers are probably the main audience but hopefully we are raising kids to have better taste that this type of trash!Wayans is an OK clown most of the time but here he puts on an absurd cartoon voice that is more irritating than funny  did someone tell him this was a good idea or was it his decision?
MAJOR PAYNE comes a  refreshing surprise to anyone who sits down expecting to see a standard 'kids vs adults' story, mainly due to Wayans playing against type and some wicked black humor.
Major Payne is one of the funniest movies in the Hollywood community.
I thought that Damon Wayans delivered a knockout performance as the loud-mouthed, gold-toothed, trash talkin, squeky voiced Major Benson Winifred Payne.
He was so funny that I nearly had a heart attack while laughing at the same time.After a major drug bust goes extremely well in South America, Major Payne (Damon Wayans) returns to Parris Island, South Carolina and finds out that the U.S. Marine Corps is throwing him out of the military back into civilian life.
It becomes a fight because the boys do what they can to put Major Payne out of their lives!Damon Wayans (My Wife & Kids, Blankman) stars in this hilarious raunchy teen comedy that will leave you breathless by the end because you will be laughing your a$$ off!
Major Payne wasn't hilarious but it was good and amazingly realistic.
I haven't seen the original movie this is the remake of (some 1950s film), but it simply has to be better than this newer bastardization.A major gets kicked out of the military for being a fringe element, and winds up teaching children at an ROTC school.
I wouldn't mind slightly more Bam Bam, but I think he carried the role of "biker" about as far as it could be carried for a military film.And then there's the attractive teacher, who someone falls for Major Payne even though he treats the kids poorly, has no social skills and is simply impossible to convert into someone you would want to spend time with.
I'm not sure which (though it would seem "stupid" since the movie makes it clear she gets out of the house often enough).Wayans had one shining moment: a dance sequence where he performs a series of moves (including a very nice "robot"), and with the help of music from 2 Live Crew.
A few laughs A feel good movie Didn't expect much more.
Maj. Benson Payne (Damon Wayans) is a super soldier, except he has failed to get a promotion for the second time and gets discharged.
He finds his skills are not really appreciated by the kids either.Damon Wayans is doing a pretty funny bit here, but it could be tiresome at times.
True I can well say the occasional amount of good damon wayans humor was pretty much the only good part of the film,I know it's supposed to be boot camp but did they had to get a 6-year old to go through the basic-training-styled verbal abuse,& seeing children getting pugnasciously beaten up just for some "hunt the enemy statue mission",so if it weren't for the damon wayan's styled humor the film would've gone down majorly & the "trying to get payne sensitive" was a bit of a good help,& the funniest parts of the films I thought were the "I do feel like a jack&$^" & the leave it too beaverish family moment in a Major payneish twist so you should really see it only if you're a Damon wayans fan or a fan to some or all of his movies..
Unfortunately it is so OUT of character it feels like it's from another movie.All this would be permissible if any of it was funny.
We see that the kids can have discipline yet still be kids, and the adults can be strong role models and be sensitive.Wayans's voice and high strung nature may turn some off, but they truly accentuate his character.The film has a happy ending where all has turned out for the best.This is a film you can watch over and over.
It's about a hardened kill happy Major who doesn't have anything else left to do in the army so his commanding officer gives him a job training a bunch of cadets.Daman Wayans is fantastic as Major Payne and really makes the character shine.
This movie isn't about a bunch of unruly kids making Major Payne's life hell but more like the other way around.
It takes a good three quarters of the movie before the kids warm up to the Major.
A really funny movie that is for everyone and just when you think it's going to turn sickly sweet in a couple of the scenes....well you'd better watch it to find out.
My family was at the drive in packing up after the first movie when they announced Major Payne as the next movie- the four kids of course talked me into staying the first few minutes, and that was all it took.
I am no longer married, but I did get the copy of Major Payne in the divorce and still watch it with the kids We laugh at it, remember the good times and can talk and still offer to "Show you something to take your mind off that pain." W.C Fields hated to work with kids because he feared they would upstage him.
Damon Wayans plays a killing machine in the US Military and is then discharged when "there's no one left to kill." He then take up a job as a ROTC commander at a Virginia school.
A Wayans movie that is pretty good!.
But individually, they have the potential to add to a movie greatly.So it is with Major Payne.
The kids all give great supporting roles and nobody lets the film down.Another plus for this movie (at least as far as I was concerned) was its absolute failure to be anything like politically correct in regard to Payne's treatment of the kids under his charge.
The way that Payne throws out the horrors of war during the telling is just hysterical.Of course, it is a feelgood movie so you know everything will work out in the end.
That doesn't stop you smiling the whole way through, or of hanging on Payne's every utterance (which are nearly always hilarious).I guess the movie is not for everyone, but take it from me (as an avowed Wayans hater!) that this movie is worth your time.
If you don't like it by the time Payne does his "Failure to communicate!" line then maybe it isn't for you.
VERY MINOR SPOILERSMajor Payne is the story of a Major (Wayans) who is discharged from the Marines.
It is a real funny movie and all the cast does a good job..
Major Payne (1995): Dir: Nick Castle / Cast: Damon Wayans, Karyn Parsons, Steven Martini, Michael Ironside, William Hickey: Formula driven military comedy about an individual succeeding the thresholds of war and now reduced to a different trial.
Damon Wayans plays Major Benson Winifred Payne who returns from a South American drug raid that contains a hilarious reference to Apocalypse Now. Unfortunately he is placed in charge of a group of misfit kids that he immediately lines up and unloads every insult possible in accordance to any physical standout in their appearance.
Watching the movie again made me realize there are some things that are weird, Like the deaf kid being able to hear.
I realize this movie is not for everyone but people who enjoy movies like Police Academy will find Mayor Payne a funny movie with a good message behind it.
Major Payne: ReviewAs with all movies, specific audiences are targeted to maximize a film's profit.
Major Payne is a comedy that portrays a hardened killing machine of a soldier who is transformed into a loving, friendly father/mentor figure.After watching this film, people will either absolutely love it or hate it.
They are funny, well timed, and make for a movie that is hard to forget.
Ultimately, Major Payne could end up being one of the next great cult classics like Monty Python: The Holy Grail.One of the wisest choices of the entire movie is the use of music throughout the film.
Damon Wayans plays his role perfectly as Major Payne.
His personality and standup comedy routine-like performance is exactly what makes Payne so funny and likable.
Throughout, Major Payne acts as the narrator to further show how tough of a marine he really is.
Ultimately, Major Payne works as a film because Damon Wayans portrays his character perfectly (Ebert).
All in all, I would give Major Payne a 5 out of 5 star rating as a must-see movie because of the comedy and execution of the story line.Work Cited: Major Payne.