Film Reviews

You Don't Mess With The Zohan

• Rating:
• Director: Dennis Dugan
• Starring: Adam Sandler
• Details: USA / 113mins / 15A

Adam Sandler has never been one to shy away from the cheap gags, and Zohan is no different. There is something inherently likeable about him though - and that may be because of the unpretentious way he approaches his films. The concept for Zohan is typical Sandler zany, as he plays an Israeli Special Forces operative who fakes his own death, so he can move to New York and style hair - he wants nothing more than to avoid killing people, and make the "silky smooth" on everyone's canister. But his past invariably catches up with him, and soon, he has to reopen up cans of whoop-ass he thought he'd left in the Middle East. Sandler is The Antichrist to a lot of critics, which is unfair, as his films almost always have a positive and sweet message underneath all the knob and fart jokes. Zohan's is of tolerance, and the star embraces the chance to have fun with the obvious political content - but still offers a barrage of smutty gags. He reunites with frequent director Dennis Dugan, who was responsible for his funniest film Happy Gilmore, but who hasn't really a clue when it comes to pacing or structuring a comedy. It's too long, and many of the jokes miss as much as they hit; but a chuckle, at the very least, is never too far away. John Turturro ably plays his nemesis The Phantom, a Palestinian terrorist who has made a living out of Zohan's faked demise, and offers up his fair share of laughs in an over-the-top fashion. Of course, it won't be for everyone, and Judd Apatow's co-writing credit is slightly deceptive - this is still very much a comedy in line with Sandler's previous efforts. Unashamedly juvenile, the comedy superstar's fans will undoubtedly lap this up while everyone else who's along for the ride should chuckle away.

Review by Mike Sheridan