Major Payne

views updated

Major Payne ★ 1995 (PG-13)

When the marines have no more use for killingmachine Major Payne (Wayans), he reluctantly agrees to train the inept junior ROTC cadets at academically challenged Madison Academy. The misfit brigade contains the usual assortment of stock losertypes who follow the predictable “outcasts get even” plot to the letter. Wayans shows flashes of comic genius, but not nearly enough to make up for the onedimensional characters and indifferent writing. Most of the showcase jokes involve the humiliation and degradation of the kids, always a laughriot. Submoronic remake of 1955's “The Private War of Major Benson.” 97m/C VHS, DVD . Damon Wayans, Karyn Parsons, William Hickey, Albert Hall, Steven Martini, Andrew Harrison Leeds, Scott “Bam Bam” Bigelow; D: Nick Castle; W: Dean Lorey, Gary Rosen, Damon Wayans; C: Richard Bowen; M: Craig Safan.