Don't Mess With The Zohan

Stop me if you’ve heard this one...

What does an Israeli counter-terrorist agent do when he's had enough of the Middle East conflict?

He fakes his own death, heads to America (which is the land of opportunity, of course), falls in love with a Palestinian girl, and comes to realise that Israelis and Palestinians actually have a lot in common. Oh, and he fulfils his dream of becoming a hair stylist to boot.

Yes. Obviously.

Fair enough, it's not a plotline that's been skinned too many times. And it is a good thing to try to bring humour and humanity to a conflict that desperately needs it.

But not when the approach is as crude as this; not when almost all the jokes are of the below-the-belt variety. And not when you're hit over the head by stereotyping until you're left nauseated.

One doesn't expect an Adam Sandler movie to be strong on the sensitivity quotient — after all, that's not why you'd watch one of his movies. But after the umpteenth joke about his crotch, even the biggest Sandler fan must begin to feel a bit uncomfortable.

Yes, there are funny scenes. Yes, you will laugh out loud a number of times. But when even a cameo by Chris Rock fails to have you rolling on the floor, you know you're in trouble.

So ultimately there are only two reasons to watch this movie.

Firstly, if you're a fan of below the belt jokes, Sandler can pummel you into senselessness so that this kind of gutter humour will lose all its appeal.

And secondly: John Turturro (The Phantom) and Rob Schneider (Salim). Their ability to portray over-the-top characters is truly inspiring and will definitely have you in a fit. And without having to head south.

If only 'Zohan' had more of that. Then I definitely wouldn't have messed with it.