Major Payne (1995)

A recently discharged Major finds himself commanding a group of mismatched Cadets.

Director:

Nick Castle

Writers:

Joe Connelly (story), Bob Mosher (story)

Stars:

Damon Wayans, Michael Ironside, Bam Bam Bigelow

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Damon Wayans	...	Maj. Benson Payne
Michael Ironside	...	Lt. Col. Stone
Bam Bam Bigelow	...	Huge Biker (as Scott Bigelow)
Joseph Blaire	...	Cadet Bryan (as Joda Blare-Hershman)
Orlando Brown	...	Cadet Kevin 'Tiger' Dunne
Peyton Chesson-Fohl	...	Cadet Sgt. Johnson
Stephen Coleman	...	Cadet Leland
Mark Conway	...	Police Sergeant
David DeHart	...	Wellington Cadet Captain
Joshua Todd Diveley	...	New Cadet
Robert Faraoni Jr.	...	Smart Ass Soldier
Michael Gabel	...	Lt. Wiseman
Albert Hall	...	Gen. Decker
William Hickey	...	Dr. Phillips
Ross Bickell	...	Col. Braggart

Storyline

Major Benson Winifred Payne is being discharged from the Marines. Payne is a killin' machine, but the wars of the world are no longer fought on the battlefield. A career Marine, he has no idea what to do as a civilian, so his commander finds him a job - commanding officer of a local school's JROTC program, a bunch or ragtag losers with no hope. Using such teaching tools as live grenades and real bullets, Payne starts to instill the Corps with some hope. But when Payne is recalled to fight in Bosnia, will he leave the Corps that has just started to believe in him, or will he find out that killin' ain't much of a livin'?

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Plot Keywords:

drill instructor | german shepherd dog | character name as title | army major | young delinquent | 

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Taglines:

He's looking for a few good men... or a few guys old enough to shave.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some crude humor and behavior

Did You Know?

Trivia

In one scene, Major Payne tells the children, "Now apparently, what we have here, is a failure to communicate!" This is a famous quote taken from the movie Cool Hand Luke

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Goofs

When Major Payne reports to Brigadier General Decker at the beginning of the film Payne salutes Decker without wearing his cover. U.S. Marines do not salute indoors unless, for instance, they're on some type of duty that requires them to be in full uniform including covers.

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Quotes

[Major Payne has shaved the children bald]
Emily: Major Payne, can you please help me to understand why you shaved the children bald?
Major Payne: Oh, that's my little incentive program. These boys have to earn their do... their hair-do that is. Heh,Heh,Heh.

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Connections

References The Andy Griffith Show (1960)

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Soundtracks

Pop That Coochie
Written by Luther Campbell (as L. Campbell), Mr. Mixx (as D. Hobbs), Brother Marquis (as M. Ross), Fresh Kid Ice (as C. Wong Won)
Performed by 2 Live Crew
Courtesy of Luke Records, Inc.

User Reviews

No Payneful puns here...

This film is a lot better than most would expect, largely because of two factors - the screenplay and the star. The script, while not particularly original in terms of its narrative, is superb in terms of its humour which is quite dark and dry in parts. "There's a monster in my closet" complains a frightened child. Not after Payne puts five bullets into the closed door.

Payne's unconventional character is a riot and the film is balanced just right so that he doesn't become too annoying. And believe me, he has the potential to become very annoying, especially with THAT voice. Wayans delivers his dialogue in a manner almost reminiscent TV's The Nanny - nasal and grating. However, he performs with such dry sarcasm and a fantastic permanent grimace that he is a real stand-out, and ultimately the film probably wouldn't work as well with another actor in the role.

For light entertainment value, 7/10 for Major Payne.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Vietnamese

Release Date:

24 March 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Major Payne

Filming Locations:

Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,011,225, 26 March 1995

Gross USA:

$29,412,050

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$30,112,050

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Wife 'n' Kids

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1