Major Payne

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Major Payne

PG-13

1995

1h 37m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

29%

Tomatometer

14 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Maj. Benson Payne (Damon Wayans) lives, breathes and sleeps war. But after being honorably discharged from the Marines due to a lack of wars, Payne, the natural-born killer, has absolutely no idea how to cope in everyday civilian life. Fortunately, before he completely breaks down, Payne finds his way back into a military capacity at Madison Preparatory School, leading a group of misfit JROTC students who don't want to be led. Whipping these kids into shape might be his toughest battle yet.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

06/07/2022

1/4

The problem with this movie isn’t ambivalence, because nothing has been sufficiently established, either morally or psychologically...

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

01/01/2000

3/4

Although the plot of the movie is a familiar formula, the dialogue and performance are not; it's a smart, funny job of poking fun at all those movies where sadistic drill instructors terrorized their green recruits.

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Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

03/02/2022

1.5/4

The movies have yet to utilize the writing and performing talents that were evident from Damon Wayans on In Living Color.

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Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

10/13/2015

3/5

Silly slapstick movie has some violence, salty language.

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

09/15/2005

2/5

Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

02/18/2005

1/5

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Anonymous P

6d

A dismal attempt at humor. Basically, this film is Hollywood’s drive to cash in on the success of ‘In Living Color’ cast. The humor is sophomoric and embarrassingly not funny. Hollywood may have made a dime on this film however, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze.

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Nov 20

One of my favourite movies as a child in the 2000's. I was born in 97. I had this on VCR and DVD too. The Bald black guy main actor in the movie whatever his name is was alot of us kids favourite actor from back then. Just seeing him in there attracted many to see it. The average critic won't see the magic of the movie. You have to be a kid from the 90s to really understand it's greatness.

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Rob H

Nov 5

If we're rating this on how funny it is (and not on how accurate the portrayal of JROTC is), then it's worth a watch. It combines a parody of the "angry drill sergeant preparing recruits for war" movies with the "strict teacher has to fix screw-up class of misfits" movies. Basically, throw "Stand and Deliver" and "Heartbreak Ridge" into a blender, set it on "satire," and then season it with a double-shot of "Kindergarten Cop." I loved it when I saw it in 1995 as a fifth grader, I loved it more when I saw it in the late '90's as a JROTC cadet, and I love it now that I'm an angry-looking bald teacher at a high-end prep school like the one in the movie.

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Chad S

Oct 8

The fact that this has a 29% critics score tells you all you need to know about critics. A classic comedy with a star performance by Damon Wayans.

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Sep 15

A pretty fun movie through and through. I enjoyed it quite a bit. 3/5 stars.

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Will S

Aug 17

It's a hilarious movie an absolute must watch

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Nick Castle

Director

Damon Wayans

Maj. Benson Payne

Karyn Parsons

Emily Walburn

Michael Ironside

Lt. Col. Stone

William Hickey

Dr. Phillips

Albert Hall

Gen. Decker

Major Payne: Official Clip - Meeting the Cadets

3:06

Major Payne: Official Clip - Grenade Training

3:15

Major Payne: Official Clip - Hip-Hop March

2:55

Major Payne: Official Clip - Payne's Dream

2:02

Major Payne: Official Clip - Biker Fight

2:21

Major Payne: Official Clip - Training the Turds

3:20

Major Payne: Official Clip - Cut a Little Rug

2:16

Major Payne: Official Clip - Dress Up Prank

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Major Payne: Official Clip - Shooting the Boogie Man

3:27

Major Payne: Official Clip - The Little Engine That Could

3:15

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Synopsis

Maj. Benson Payne (Damon Wayans) lives, breathes and sleeps war. But after being honorably discharged from the Marines due to a lack of wars, Payne, the natural-born killer, has absolutely no idea how to cope in everyday civilian life. Fortunately, before he completely breaks down, Payne finds his way back into a military capacity at Madison Preparatory School, leading a group of misfit JROTC students who don't want to be led. Whipping these kids into shape might be his toughest battle yet.

Director: Nick Castle
Producer: Eric L. Gold, Michael I. Rachmil
Screenwriter: Dean Lorey, Damon Wayans, Gary Rosen
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 24, 1995, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $29.4M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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