YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN

"Smell it, Smell it... Now taste it"

Zohan Dvir (Sandler) is Israel's number one counter terrorist agent and their number one sex symbol but little did they know that he wanted to give it all up to pursue his dream, to cut and style hair in America. When Palestinian terrorist The Phantom (Turturro) is spotted and his Special Forces commander requests that he brings him in single handed, Zohan sees this as his chance to fake his own death and fulfil his dream of becoming a hairdresser but when he arrives in New York, he does find it as easy as he first thought.

When it comes to Adam Sandler, his comedies really struggle to find an audience outside of the US but can 'You Don't Mess With The Zohan' change that?

Adam Sandler is a superstar in the US. Most of his films are aimed exclusively at an American audience with many of his jokes not really translating to film fans over here in the UK or around the world but sometimes they do. 'The Wedding Singer' and '50 First Dates', 'Click' were huge, deserved hits but films like 'The Waterboy', 'Mr. Deeds', 'The Longest Yard', 'Big Daddy', 'Little Nicky' and even 'Anger Management' were filled with American centric humour and Sandler doing his trademark shouting. For 'You Don't Mess With The Zohan' this might just change however but only just.

This is another of Adam Sandler's over the top comedies with a premise that does serve comedy well however. Sandler plays Zohan Dvir, Israel's number one counter terrorist agent and lover but he longs for a different life. He wants to give up all his training, glory and fame to be a hairdresser in New York City but of course his leaders, family and friends think he is crazy. The only way he can do this is to fake his own death and re-emerge as a New York stylist working at Dahlia's saloon. The only problem is that even though Palestinian terrorist The Phantom is now thinking it is he that has killed the Zohan, a lowly Palestinian taxi driver called Salim recognises him and wants to become the just as famous as the Phantom. While this is a far-fetched but it is one that provides some genuine laughs.

As Zohan, Adam Sandler creates one of his most appealing characters. While it might be hard to believe that Sandler has made himself Israel's number one sex symbol, he certainly has some fun with it, making love to any woman he meets whatever she looks like or how old she is. He also does action really well, enjoying himself in the fight scenes and having fun with the weapons. His good friend and collaborator Rob Schneider has his customary role as Salim, the Palestinian taxi driver who recognises the Zohan in New York. Emmanuelle Chriqui is the beautiful Dahlia, owner of the Salon and the woman who melts Zohan's heart. John Turturro is suitably over the top as The Shadow, the Zohan's archenemy and Nick Swardson and Lainie Kazan have fun with their roles.

Completely over the top but good fun all the same, 'You Don't Mess With The Zohan' is one of Adam Sandler's better movies. While it may not have the same impact as his best movies, 'The Wedding Singer' and '50 First Dates' this is one of his comedies that can appeal to an audience outside of the US.