On DVD
Adam Sandler is Zohan, an Israeli counter-terrorist who dreams of working in a hair salon in America. He fakes his death early in the movie during a fight with his rival Phantom (John Turturro) so he can move to New York. Of course his past will follow him there, even as he tries to start a relationship with Emmanuelle Chriqui. The film is unlike any other “Sandler” movie with the use of CGI and wire-fu action scenes. Zohan does impossible stunts – even more ridiculous than Will Smith’s Hancock – and while occasionally amusing, it’s been done many times before and better. What hasn’t been done is making the action hero the ultimate metrosexual. Zohan is equally obsessed with looks and Mariah Carey . . .
Sandler uses many former SNL alumni: Kevin Nealon, Robert Smigel, Rob Schneider, and Chris Rock - to middling success. The presence of Turturro is unsettling since the title is taken from one his famous Big Lebowski lines. He was Oscar-caliber in that Coen classic, but quite embarrassing here. The cameos range from familiar (John McEnroe) to not bad (Mariah Carey) to hilarious (George Takei). But Sandler is the real draw. It’s nice seeing him playing an actual character, rather than himself. Zohan is a unique and interesting guy, but I’m worried about Sandler’s ego. He feels the need to make himself the best killing-machine alive and also the best woman-pleaser. After Zohan cuts a lady’s hair (no matter the age or weight), he’ll take her to the back for the ol’ in ‘n’ out.
This is a big step up from the last “Sandler” movie I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, which had a tacky premise that went nowhere. The hook here is that Chriqui is Palestinian and a union with the Israeli Zohan would seriously upset the families and communities. It’s nice that Sandler is using his substantial bank account to explore such matters, but this is the most simplistic and ludicrous “political” movie since Rocky IV. You can predict that Arabs and Jews will work together in the end toward defeating common enemies: right-wing hicks and real estate developers. C+
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
You Don't Mess with the Zohan - C+
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3 comments:
Sandler lost me a long time ago. He is a good republican, though.
This is the first movie in several years where Bush is given a pass. Bush is given credit for trying. But the political discussion is mostly about who the Israelis and Palestinians would rather have relations with: Hillary, the current First Lady, or Michelle Obama. The movie came out months before Sarah Palin of course.
Adam Sandler made me laugh so hard in You don't mess with Zohan. My favorite part was when he was on the beach, grilling fishes. I actually watched is some time in HD quality @ http://www.yayvideo.net. I also like his classic film The Wedding Singer with Drew.
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