Major Payne ** (1995, Damon Wayans, Michael Ironside, Karyn Parsons, William Hickey, Michael Ironside, Albert Hall) – Classic Movie Review 6512

Director Nick Castle’s 1995 comedy stars Damon Wayans (who also co-wrote and co-produces) as Major Payne, who is discharged from the US Marines but lands a job teaching mismatched cadet school children combat skills.

Wayans and the kids are amusing in a genial, good-natured, old-fashioned family film that manages to entertain even if it doesn’t always seem that credible, witty or smart.

That title is a major pain though and Wayans deserves classier material. But he is the main writer so he has only got himself to blame.

It is loosely based on a 1955 Charlton Heston film, The Private War of Major Benson, and its Oscar-nominated story by Joe Connelly and Bob Mosher.

Wayans’ son Damien appears as a cadet. Also in the cast are Karyn Parsons, William Hickey, Michael Ironside, Albert Hall, Steven Martini, Orlando Brown, Andrew Harrison Leeds, Mark W Madison, Brad Martin, Chris Owen, Dean Lorey, Scott Bigelow, R Stephen Wiles and Tommy Wiles.

It is written by Damon Wayans, Dean Lorey and Gary Rosen, shot by Richard Bowen, produced by Damon Wayans, Eric L Gold and Michael I Rachmil, scored by Craig Safan and designed by Peter S Larkin.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6512

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