You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008)

Peace Tripe

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Buy You Don't Mess with the Zohan on DVD

Following I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, Adam Sandler and his usual team (this time with writer Judd Apatow on board) once again combine risky and stupid elements, with only a few laughs in-between. Sandler plays an Israeli anti-terrorist fighter who fakes his death and travels to New York to be a hairdresser. A Palestinian cabbie (Rob Schneider) rats him out to his nemesis, the Phantom (John Turturro), just as he begins to make things work with salon owner Dalia (Emmanuelle Chriqui). It's too long with too many plot threads, too many penis jokes (and hummus jokes), and too many "unexpected" celebrity cameos. But for all that, the film's ability to broach the Israeli/Palestinian conflict in a mainstream film without preaching deserves some kudos. Also available on Blu-Ray.

AskMen.com: You Don't Mess with the Zohan

With: Adam Sandler, John Turturro, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Nick Swardson, Lainie Kazan, Ido Mosseri, Rob Schneider, Dave Matthews, Michael Buffer, Charlotte Rae, Sayed Badreya, Daoud Heidami, Kevin Nealon, Robert Smigel, Dina Doronne, Shelley Berman, Chris Rock, Mariah Carey, John McEnroe, George Takei, Bruce Vilanch
Written by: Adam Sandler, Robert Smigel, Judd Apatow
Directed by: Dennis Dugan
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual content throughout, language and nudity
Running Time: 113 minutes
Date: June 6, 2008