You Don't Mess with the Zohan
Directed by: Dennis Dugan
Starring: Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, Emmanuel Chriqui, John Turturro.
You Don't Mess with the Zohan is the latest Adam Sandler film, which follows the overly-macho Israeli counter-terrorist Zohan (Adam Sandler), as he moves to America to pursue a career as a hair stylist, whilst overcoming some his own cultural boundaries in the process.
To me this is the first Adam Sandler film since Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore that will get a large majority of people who would agree to calling it funny. However, it would still not rate as highly as those two films. You Don't Mess with the Zohan is a little over the top in some places with some occasional crude humour, but all up is an enjoyable and funny film. Of course if you're looking for a well rounded out plot or anything of course you won't get it so don't whine afterwards that you thought it was crap. This film falls in a certain category of film along with Dude, Where's My Car? or Zoolander etc. where it's a comedy that transcends plot (or you could say has none). The film generally does poke fun (light-heartedly) at the Middle Eastern rivalry and particularly Israel/Palestine stereotypes; generally aiming to make a point about the uselessness of the ongoing conflict that is centred in that region. It does this a little too unsubtly at some points with a few preachy lines obviously jutting out from the regular dialogue.
If you're looking for a laugh then you will probably be satisfied with this film, but to some degree it may depend upon your humour. If you enjoyed Zoolander or tend to enjoy Adam Sandler films particularly Billy Madison or Happy Gilmore then this film will probably get you laughing as it's in a similar ball park of humour. Also watch this film if you really like Hommus.
I give it 3/5* stars.
*Take a star off if you insist on your comedies having a good plot.
*Add half a star if you really like Hommus.
Michael Hill
