All hyperbole aside, it feels like the studio comedy has gone the way of the dodo. One cannot get a little bit melancholy when thinking of the Universal-produced comedies of the early to mid 90s. CB4, Problem Child, Kuffs, Death Becomes Her, Cry Baby, Kindergarten Cop, Cool as Ice, King Ralph, The House Sitter, Bird on a Wire, Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, Bulletproof… Major Payne was a part of that long line of comedies produced by the studio. The film, starring and co-written by Damon Wayans, is one of the best (and few) showcases for how truly funny Wayans could be (don’t even get me started on Blankman) when given center stage.
One man killing machine Major Benson Winifred Payne (Wayans) has outlived his usefulness as the battlefield has changed. After being skipped over for a Lieutenant Colonel promotion, the Major is forced to retire. Civilian life does not suit Payne, and he quickly found himself restless. It’s his Commanding Officer that finds him a new position as the ROTC Commander at a private school. Payne brings his brand of Lee R. Ermy-esque ass-kicking to the hard-luck case kids as they fight him at every turn. Can he turn these kids into the heartbreakers and life takers he is?
Major Payne is definitely from its era and could not be made today. The way that Wayans’ character relishes the abuse and abuse of power in attempting to at first conform, then shape them, is ill-suited for the current era. That being said, the film is consistently hilarious as the kids try, and fail miserably, to get Paye to quit. Wayans, at every turn, is as adept a verbal and physical comedian as his contemporaries were.
The film’s story is, yes, predictable, but nothing that isn’t smoothed over by Wayans’ singular, winning comedic performance. Plus, any film that devotes an entire section to an Apocalypse Now joke is worth at least your consideration.
The Transfers
The all-new HD Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative is another winner. The film was released by Universal in 2017 on Blu-ray. The 2017 disc looks decent in a way that an older transfer can see a slight uptick in quality in a new format. This newly scanned transfer on this Blu-ray disc is marvelous in every way you expect a 35mm shot film to look. There isn’t a blemish, scratch, or fleck of dirt on the flawless transfer. Another winning disc from Kino Lorber in 2026.
The Extras
They include the following;
NEW Audio Commentary by Director Nick Castle, Moderated by Filmmaker Douglas Hosdale
There’s Not Much You Could Do: NEW Interview with Actor Michael Ironside
Theatrical Trailer
The all-new Audio Commentary by Director Nick Castle, Moderated by Filmmaker Douglas Hosdale, begins with how he was hired onto the film. Some of the details include his reactions to the script and how it was a remake of a Charlton Heston film; the development process and working with Wayans (along with his writing team), and screenwriter Dean Lorey; working with producers Eric L. Gold and Michael Rachmil; the casting process with the casting director Aleta Chappelle; working with the Kids and Damon Wayans together; the finding location which was a real private school in North Carolina and the studio work done; the production schedule; the work and collaboration with cinematographer Richard Bowen, production designer Peter Larkin, editor Patrick Kennedy, and composer Craig Safan who he’s worked with consistently through his career; how he approached directing the kids in this film; how he transition into comedy and was able to have a varied career; the cameo appearance by wrestler Bam Bam Bigelow; a discussion about his time at USC and his contemporaries; a larger discussion throughout about the various actors that appear in the film; and much more.
There’s Not Much You Could Do with a Drunk Lieutenant Colonel (21:08) – is an all-new interview with actor Michael Ironside, who begins with a discussion of the character he’s playing, who is a full-on alcoholic in a comedy. The actor goes on to discuss his personal history and how many of his family were a part of the military; his childhood in Toronto in the 1950s and the rougher aspects of growing up with military ideals; the reason why he took the film; working with William Hickey; how he approaches comedy, drama, horror, and the role and what was required; working with Damon Wayans; a delete subplot for his character; how the film was received; and much more.
Rounding out the special features are trailers for Major Payne (2:05); Bulletproof (2:19); Half Baked (1:54); Black Sheep (2:24); Kingpin (1:28); The Great Outdoors (1:48);
The Final Thought
Kino Lorber continues to provide the very best in catalog titles, especially in the realm of 90s comedies like Major Payne. Highest Possible Recommendations!!
Damon Wayans is Major Payne, the cult comedy classic, comes to Blu-ray from Kino Lorber.
The Film
Comedy is dead.
All hyperbole aside, it feels like the studio comedy has gone the way of the dodo. One cannot get a little bit melancholy when thinking of the Universal-produced comedies of the early to mid 90s. CB4, Problem Child, Kuffs, Death Becomes Her, Cry Baby, Kindergarten Cop, Cool as Ice, King Ralph, The House Sitter, Bird on a Wire, Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, Bulletproof… Major Payne was a part of that long line of comedies produced by the studio. The film, starring and co-written by Damon Wayans, is one of the best (and few) showcases for how truly funny Wayans could be (don’t even get me started on Blankman) when given center stage.
One man killing machine Major Benson Winifred Payne (Wayans) has outlived his usefulness as the battlefield has changed. After being skipped over for a Lieutenant Colonel promotion, the Major is forced to retire. Civilian life does not suit Payne, and he quickly found himself restless. It’s his Commanding Officer that finds him a new position as the ROTC Commander at a private school. Payne brings his brand of Lee R. Ermy-esque ass-kicking to the hard-luck case kids as they fight him at every turn. Can he turn these kids into the heartbreakers and life takers he is?
Major Payne is definitely from its era and could not be made today. The way that Wayans’ character relishes the abuse and abuse of power in attempting to at first conform, then shape them, is ill-suited for the current era. That being said, the film is consistently hilarious as the kids try, and fail miserably, to get Paye to quit. Wayans, at every turn, is as adept a verbal and physical comedian as his contemporaries were.
The film’s story is, yes, predictable, but nothing that isn’t smoothed over by Wayans’ singular, winning comedic performance. Plus, any film that devotes an entire section to an Apocalypse Now joke is worth at least your consideration.
The Transfers
The all-new HD Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative is another winner. The film was released by Universal in 2017 on Blu-ray. The 2017 disc looks decent in a way that an older transfer can see a slight uptick in quality in a new format. This newly scanned transfer on this Blu-ray disc is marvelous in every way you expect a 35mm shot film to look. There isn’t a blemish, scratch, or fleck of dirt on the flawless transfer. Another winning disc from Kino Lorber in 2026.
The Extras
They include the following;
The all-new Audio Commentary by Director Nick Castle, Moderated by Filmmaker Douglas Hosdale, begins with how he was hired onto the film. Some of the details include his reactions to the script and how it was a remake of a Charlton Heston film; the development process and working with Wayans (along with his writing team), and screenwriter Dean Lorey; working with producers Eric L. Gold and Michael Rachmil; the casting process with the casting director Aleta Chappelle; working with the Kids and Damon Wayans together; the finding location which was a real private school in North Carolina and the studio work done; the production schedule; the work and collaboration with cinematographer Richard Bowen, production designer Peter Larkin, editor Patrick Kennedy, and composer Craig Safan who he’s worked with consistently through his career; how he approached directing the kids in this film; how he transition into comedy and was able to have a varied career; the cameo appearance by wrestler Bam Bam Bigelow; a discussion about his time at USC and his contemporaries; a larger discussion throughout about the various actors that appear in the film; and much more.
There’s Not Much You Could Do with a Drunk Lieutenant Colonel (21:08) – is an all-new interview with actor Michael Ironside, who begins with a discussion of the character he’s playing, who is a full-on alcoholic in a comedy. The actor goes on to discuss his personal history and how many of his family were a part of the military; his childhood in Toronto in the 1950s and the rougher aspects of growing up with military ideals; the reason why he took the film; working with William Hickey; how he approaches comedy, drama, horror, and the role and what was required; working with Damon Wayans; a delete subplot for his character; how the film was received; and much more.
Rounding out the special features are trailers for Major Payne (2:05); Bulletproof (2:19); Half Baked (1:54); Black Sheep (2:24); Kingpin (1:28); The Great Outdoors (1:48);
The Final Thought
Kino Lorber continues to provide the very best in catalog titles, especially in the realm of 90s comedies like Major Payne. Highest Possible Recommendations!!
Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray Edition of Major Payne is out June 23rd.
Share this:
Like this:
Discover more from The Movie Isle
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.