Rent Major Payne on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: Joe Connelly & Bob Mosher (story), William Roberts and Richard Alan Simmons (earlier screenplay), Dean Lorey &
Damon Wayans and Gary Rosen (screenplay)
Directed by: Nick Castle
Starring: Damon Wayans, Karyn Parsosn, Michael Ironside, Bam Bam Bigelow
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer
Plot
When a recently discharged Marine struggles to adjust to civilian life, his commanding officer brings him back to the military to train and lead a group of misfit JORTC cadets.
Verdict
Damon Wayans as Payne nearly makes this movie worth watching from his mannerisms to his cadence and speech as he is tasked with commanding children. Payne is an elite field agent which makes his approach to kids inherently humorous. His strategy works as the children and he grow closer through his mentorship. It's entertaining enough, though it's not traveling any new ground. It's a vehicle for Wayans and he makes it work.
It depends.
Review
Discharged from the military, elite soldier Major Benson Payne's (Damon Wayans) only question is if there's anyone else left to kill. He's told there's not, it's a new military He struggles outside of the military with not having a mission. He tries to join the police but is arrested for violence during a simulation. With his violent past, the perfect place for him is leading the ROTC at a high school.
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| Damon Wayans plays Major Benson Payne |
Damon Wayans employs an accent and cadence in his speech that makes him memorable and nearly all of his lines quotable. The premise is silly, Payne employing his skills learned as a soldier on kids, but it is effective. This is like Full Metal Jacket for children.
None of the ROTC kids are happy about this harsh, new leader. They resolve to get rid of him, but Payne indirectly thwarts all of their plans, from poisoned cupcakes to a burly biker. Payne is the stereotypical ultra soldier. A fellow teacher encourages him to avoid negative reinforcement and try a positive and sensitive approach. It's not his strong suit, but since he has a crush on the teacher that helps. It culminates in a young student having a nightmare and Payne, though annoyed, shooting the monster in the closet through the door. Payne tells the student, "If he's still in there, he ain't happy." While it's unorthodox, the student's fear has abated.
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| Damon Wayans plays Major Benson Payne |
After several failed attempts to oust him, Payne makes a deal with the students. If they bring home the military games trophy, he'll quit. That's a catalyst for Alex, the rebel of the group and a natural leader. He doesn't just want to get the trophy, he wants to earn it. Payne's strategy was to play the bad guy and unite the kids. It works.
Before the games, Payne gets a new commission. Despite his reservation at abandoning the kids and this new project he accepts. During the games, Payne appears. He's got a new mission, and he wants to see his boys win the games. At the end, Payne remains at the school, ready to lead the new members of the ROTC. It's a touching ending and a bit too happy, but Wayans is the reason to watch this, and he is so much fun to watch.
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