I put off seeing “Zohan” after seeing too many Sandler films in the theater that really were only worth the attention of a DVD rental. Now I realize this is one movie I would have paid full ticket price to see. It’s not for everyone, but if you have Jewish or Palestinian friends see it with them and laugh your ass off.

Adam Sandler plays a “Super Jew” counterterrorist who can do just about anything including dancing naked to disco beats. It’s the usual Sandler schtick of him being “tough” in some manner, but the writers added so many absurd moments that it feels fresh.

What I found most impressive, and please don’t read if you’re planning to see the movie anytime soon, was the “Rocky” parody. It’s been done to death, but it’s where Rocky cracks open several eggs into a glass and drinks them.

In the “Zohan” version I started to groan when I saw them aiming for that particular tribute, but then they added an original twist I’m amazed no one else thought to do. The Phantom, a Palestinian terrorist, is working up his strength to confront Zohan so as the Rocky theme plays in the background he cracks those eggs and out comes…baby chicks. They’re dropped into the glass one by one and then he downs them like a liquid. I laughed and after drawing so many gag cartoons it’s hard to catch me by surprise.

 So hats off to the writers. An old gag made new. And a movie worthy of showing at peace accords because the difference between America and The Middle East is we can give each other a bad time about each other’s race with a smile.

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