You Don’t Mess With The Zohan

6 / 10

I’m embarrassed to admit that I kind of enjoyed this film.

Adam Sandler leads a handpicked cast of his high-school buddies and Happy Madison cronies (Rob Schneider, John Turturro, Nick Swardson) as Zohan, an Israeli action-man who comes to America with dreams of becoming a hairdresser.

Half-spoof (a la Hot Shots and Naked Gun), and half schoolboy locker room humour (a la everything else you’ve ever seen Sandler in), YDMWTZ pushes the limits of ridiculous, but somehow manages to force the smiles out of you, and, yes, once or twice, genuine lols.

I particularly liked the self-deprecating humour that plays good-heartedly on the many stereotypes of Jews, Arabs and the conflict between the two (hummus used as everything from hair gel to fire fighting foam).  It’s the subtle jabs that are pulled off the best – American-Israeli phone salesmen sweet-talking oblivious Yankees into the extended warranty.  And catty sack.  I loved catty sack.

Admittedly, Sandler does a good job as Zohan, who’s quite a different character from his standard man-child roles.  As always with Sandler, it’s a self-gratifying role, and you can tell he’s enjoying himself the whole way through.  But, it’s his fortune, and he’s still getting the laughs, and who am I to argue with the Zohan?

About Willy

Willy cried in Little Miss Sunshine and only pretends to like the Godfather movies. He celebrates Jackie Chan's birthday every year.
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