YOU DONT MESS WITH THE ZOHAN, 2008
Movie Review

A Mossad agent fakes his death so he can re-emerge in New York City as a hair stylist.

REVIEW:

American efforts have so far failed in the task of bringing peace to the Middle East. But maybe the trick is for the Israelis and the Palestines to watch You Don't Mess With the Zohan and all will be good.

Ancient grievances and festering hatreds are no match for the forces of sex, money, celebrity and having Adam Sandler's penis (or at least his steroid enhanced penis) as the ultimate negotiator.

You Dont Mess with the Zohan is a comedy filled with many funny bits and it really has something to say about this long time war that probably many young people who will watch this film don't know much about. It kind of reminded me of the movie version of The Daily Show, but with a funnier supporting cast.

Adam Sandler teams up with director Dennis Dugan (Chuck and Larry) in a script he co-wrote with Judd Apatow and SNL friend Robert Smigel. And this is another film he brought on a bunch of his friends (Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, Kevin Nealon) to join in on the fun of making a movie, having a ball coming up with new material on set and making a bit of money in the process.

This isn't the greatest comedy ever made, but is a nice transition from the past action filled movies that have recently come out. There are about 10-15 laugh out loud moments, but as a story it kind of loses its focus at its mid-point. Of course they patch it all together in the end to come up with a wrapped up conclusion, but you sort of wished they kept the momentum going. Comedy is all about momentum and the present joke a lot of the times is only as good as the previous joke that sets it up. There was a classic in the making in You Dont Mess with the Zohan, but it just doesn't hold entirely together.

Sandler is putting together a nice body of work for himself though and in the current stage of his career, that is what it's all about. As Will Ferrell and even Ben Stiller are doing now, Sandler is following in the footsteps of Steve Martin and Jerry Lewis. Playing goofy guys with enough looks to play comedic studs who get the girl and serve as role models for the guys too.

John Turturro shines in this film playing Sandler's assassin antagonist. Another thing to watch out for is the many older woman comedic roles. The first of its kind. Hollywood knows that woman can make you laugh as much as men can, so its about time they show it to the world.

2 1/2 stars out of 4 -- but it wouldn't be a bad choice to go see it.

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