Review of You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008) by Alexander D — 30 Aug 2012

Adam Sandler is one funny guy. It's the plot he struggles with in his films. Early on in his career, he was cast into such terrible plots. More recently, he has become subject to casting himself into mostly pointless films. YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN clearly depicts these inconsistencies by telling a funny, but overly superficial and flawed, farce of a story of an Israeli man who fakes his own death in order to get to his dream: becoming a hairstylist. (?).

Since this is a comedy that tells of a person of a different nationality than American, one would immediately think that most of the jokes would come from prejudice and racism. But, no! This is just like any other Sandler comedy: filled with vulgar, raunchy humor.

YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN marks the fourth Adam Sandler/Dennis Dugan (lead actor/director) collaboration; succeeding HAPPY GILMORE, BIG DADDY, and I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK & LARRY; and preceding GROWN UPS and JUST GO WITH IT. Having seen GROWN UPS and JUST GO WITH IT, it's notable that the two make a good team, but they would be even better if they just went separate ways.

Like most comedies, the acting should be the last thing to worry about with this film. However, there is clear and present dumbness. Nick Swardson, who, if you have seen JUST GO WITH IT, you know as the "Sheepy-R" guy, and if you have seen BUCKY LARSON, you know that that was his first starring role, portrays Michael. Plain and simple: he is the worst of all the not-so-great cast members. There's one acting skill to applaud for, though: Sandler's ability to take on his personal interpretation of an Israeli accent. It's funny, witty, and even produces a good double entendre or two.

Unless you are looking for a film that the Middle East could have mistakenly titled, "The Worst of Adam Sandler" (umm, oopsch?), don't go out searching for YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN. It was a waste of time. 'Nuff said.