Major Payne is a 1995 American military comedy film directed by Nick Castle and starring Damon Wayans, who wrote with Dean Lorey and Gary Rosen.

Wayans plays a hardened military officer who, after being discharged, attempts to lead a dysfunctional group of youth cadets to victory in a competition.

Major Benson Winifred Payne, a battle-hardened Force Recon Marine and Vietnam veteran, returns from a successful drug raid in South America to find out that he has been passed over for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel.

Payne receives an honorable discharge and tries to adjust to civilian life applying to become a police officer but ends up being arrested during the process.

At the games the boys hold their own until Dotson, who now attends Wellington Academy, shoves Alex in the foot race in retaliation for the demotion.

[3] Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "While Major Payne is too predictable for most adults, it's an ideal entertainment for youthful audiences that allows Damon Wayans to be at his best in a dream part.

"[4] Caryn James of The New York Times wrote, "Though the movie is rarely more clever than its title, Mr. Wayans gives the dark cartoonish comedy an irreverent edge.

"[5] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times rated it three out of four stars[6] and called it a smart and funny satire of military films:The key to this kind of comedy is to go all the way with it, and Wayans creates a comic character out of narrowness, obsession, and blind commitment.

Of course the arc of the storyline is familiar; we know the pretty teacher will soften him, and that he will grow fond of the cadets, and no prizes for guessing who wins the big all-Virginia ROTC [sic] competition... Wayans is one of the most talented comic actors around, especially when he lets go and swings for the fences.