Parents' Guide to

Major Payne

By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Silly slapstick movie has some violence, salty language.

Movie PG-13 1995 95 minutes
Major Payne Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 5 parent reviews

Reco nit
Reco nit Adult
January 4, 2022
age 14+

Funnest movie

Funnest movie I've probably ever seen

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
PepeThePerson08
PepeThePerson08 Adult
August 12, 2021
age 10+

great for the family

I watched this movies once it came out, and it is just as good as i remember. its a must watch coming of age movie out there

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

MAJOR PAYNE is a send-up of formulaic movies about sadistic drill sergeants who whip pathetic recruits into shape for their own good. The Payne of the title is a career Marine (a self-described "trained killing machine" played by Damon Wayans) shocked to find himself passed over for promotion and pushed out of the Corps. He reluctantly accepts a position as commander of a junior ROTC program at a prep school. The humor derives from Payne's over-the-top denigration and humiliation of his squad, comprised mostly of prepubescent boys (age 6 to one who shaves). He sets out to terrorize the boys into winning a prestigious ROTC competition, a prospect that seems unlikely given the lack of unity and drive in the motley crew. But in rebellion against Payne's insensitivity, name-calling, and punishment, the boys gain self-confidence, skills, and a kind of respect for their leader. Along the way, Payne's narrow-mindedness broadens as he gains enough affection for the recruits to inspire him to stay on and teach more cadets.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (10 ):

Damon Wayans plays Payne with outrageous conviction, giving a stock character a kind of wacky truth and credibility and, in turn, pumping an old story with new comic life. The script he cowrote never betrays the killing machine's basic insanity, but it also shows that his insanity has an internal logic that lives alongside Payne's deep intelligence, goofy humor, and basic humanity. That's no small accomplishment.

Older tweens and teens will find plenty of laughs in Major Payne, and parents may find themselves enjoying the humor at times as well.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether authoritarian leaders are good people or monsters. Give some examples. Are there good leaders in Major Payne?

  • What is the movie's point of view? What is it saying about military training?

  • Even if a teacher is mean, can he or she teach something important to his or her students?

Movie Details

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