Major Payne

For the webcomic character named Major Payne, see VG Cats.

Major Payne
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Nick Castle
Written by	Dean Lorey Gary Rosen Damon Wayans
Screenplay by	William Roberts Richard Alan Simmons
Based on	The Private War of Major Benson by Joe Connelly Bob Mosher
Produced by	Eric L. Gold Michael Rachmil
Starring	Damon Wayans Karyn Parsons Michael Ironside
Cinematography	Richard Bowen
Edited by	Patrick Kennedy
Music by	Craig Safan
Production company	Wife 'n Kids Productions
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date	March 24, 1995 (1995-03-24)
Running time	95 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$30.1 million

Major Payne is a 1995 American comedy film directed by Nick Castle and starring Damon Wayans, who wrote with Dean Lorey and Gary Rosen. The film co stars Karyn Parsons, Steven Martini and Michael Ironside. It is a loose remake of the 1955 film The Private War of Major Benson, starring Charlton Heston. Major Payne was released in the United States on March 24 and grossed $30 million. Wayans plays a military officer who, after being discharged, attempts to lead a dysfunctional group of cadets to victory in a competition.

Plot

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 two weeks, Payne tries to adjust to civilian life through an application to the police academy. He hits a man repeatedly during a training scenario, causing him to be arrested for assault after the man was rendered unconscious. 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. Afterward, he shaves all their heads bald. Payne also meets and clashes with Emily Walburn, the Academy counselor, who tries to soften Payne's discipline with understanding and feelings, especially 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 to quit if they bring the Military Games trophy to Madison. The boys set out one night to Wellington Academy, the current trophy holder, to steal it. However, the Wellington cadets ambush them after being tipped anonymously by Payne, and the boys return to school badly beaten.

Outside of the academy, Payne bonds with Emily and Tiger. Returning to the Academy, Payne is confronted by lead misfit Alex Stone about his deception, but Payne claims it was to show them what the real prize was. When Stone's alcoholic, obnoxious stepfather appears unannounced and harasses Alex, Major Payne orders him away, earning Payne respect among the cadets. The cadets band together under Payne's regimen. Weeks later, Major Payne says they have graduated the program and are fit to compete in the games.

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 together, realizing that Tiger saw him as a father figure and that Payne is falling in love with Emily. The boys at first decide not to enter the competition, but Alex convinces them to do it for Payne.At the games, the boys hold their own until Dotson, now a Wellington cadet, trips Alex during the race, and Alex sprains his ankle. Madison comes in second, but Alex's injury renders him unfit for the final event, a drill competition. The Madison cadets angrily fight with the Wellington cadets. The fight is broken up, and the judges deliberate having Madison disqualified for conduct unbecoming.

Payne gives up his commission and shows up at the last minute, smooths things over with the referees and tells Tiger to lead Madison in drill. The group executes an unorthodox but entertaining routine which wins them the trophy. On the first day of the new school year, Madison displays the Military Games trophy, along with another one for Alex Stone, who won best individual participant. Payne resumes being an instructor, having married Emily and adopted Tiger. Stone resumes his role as a squad leader. Payne has softened quite a bit, telling the new recruits he is not only their commanding officer but also their friend. When a new, disrespectful blind cadet shows up with his service dog, Payne shaves both him and his dog bald with his "field knife" and laughs.

Cast

• Damon Wayans as U.S. Marine Corps Major Benson Winifred Payne
• Karyn Parsons as Emily Walburn
• William Hickey as Dr. Phillips
• Steven Martini as Cadet Alex J. Stone
• Michael Ironside as Lieutenant Colonel Stone
• Orlando Brown as Cadet Kevin "Tiger" Dunn
• Albert Hall as General Decker
• Andrew Harrison Leeds as Cadet Dotson
• Damien Dante Wayans as Cadet Dwight "D." Williams
• Chris Owen as Cadet Wuliger
• Stephen Coleman as Cadet Leland
• Mark Madison as Cadet Fox
• Peyton Chesson-Fohl as Cadet Sgt. Johnson
• Scott Bigelow as a Biker
• George Cheung as a Vietcong guerrilla from Major Payne's daydream
• R. Stephen Wiles as Cadet Heathcoat
• R. J. Knoll as Blind New Cadet

Reception

Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gave the film an approval rating of 33% based on twelve reviews. Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "While Major Payne is too predictable for most adults, it's an ideal entertainment for youthful audiences that allows Damon Wayans to be at his best in a dream part." Caryn James of The New York Times wrote, "Though the movie is rarely more clever than its title, Mr. Wayans gives the dark cartoonish comedy an irreverent edge."

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times rated it 3/4 stars and called it a smart and funny satire of military films:

The key to this kind of comedy is to go all the way with it, and Wayans creates a comic character out of narrowness, obsession, and blind commitment. Of course the arc of the storyline is familiar; we know the pretty teacher will soften him, and that he will grow fond of the cadets, and no prizes for guessing who wins the big all-Virginia ROTC competition... Wayans is one of the most talented comic actors around, especially when he lets go and swings for the fences.

Box office

The film debuted at number 2 at the US box office behind Outbreak with a gross of $7 million on its opening weekend. Major Payne went on to gross $30.1 million worldwide.

External links

• Major Payne at IMDb
• Template:Amg movie