You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008)

The world’s deadliest commando secretly wants to give people feathered haircuts, and You Don’t Mess with the Zohan treats that like enough fuel for 113 minutes. It isn’t. Adam Sandler goes all in on the accent, the hair and the superhuman stunts, and the opening stretch, with Zohan doing beach tricks like a cartoon, gets real laughs. But most of the comedy is aimed squarely at middle schoolers, and the same handful of gags come back until they stop being jokes and start being chores. John Turturro is the best part as the Phantom, a villain so vain and so committed that he deserves his own movie. Emmanuelle Chriqui gives Dalia some real warmth, and the movie’s hope that neighbors can get along is sweet, if simple. It made $204.3 million worldwide on a reported $90M. A 4.0 because Turturro and the big idea are fun and the jokes run out early. $5,438 says you ask for a feathered haircut at your next appointment as a joke and walk out with one.

What works: John Turturro’s vain, fully committed Phantom, Sandler’s goofy physical stunts, and a sweet if simple message about neighbors.

What doesn’t: The same gags repeat until they turn into chores, and the plot keeps adding threads it never ties together.

Who it’s for: Sandler die-hards who like his silliest stuff, and teens looking for a goofy comedy night.