You Don't Mess with the Zohan

"You Don't Mess with the Zohan" makes its way onto Blu-ray with a video presentation that offers both highlights and noticeable issues, likely originating from the digital shooting techniques employed. The 1080p/AVC encode is framed at a 1:85:1 aspect ratio, showcasing generally very good detail across the board. Foreground and background details maintain a three-dimensional quality, although a deliberate soft filter aimed at mimicking the look of film results in a less than razor-sharp image resolution. This choice, along with heavy digital noise reduction (DNR) work, occasionally gives the video a somewhat polished, unrealistic appearance, especially evident in scenes with rapid motion where clarity tends to falter.

Colors are rendered with vibrancy, exhibiting depth and texture that bring to life the movie's vivacious aesthetic, mirroring the eccentric nature of its main character. Despite this, the video presentation suffers from an overarching golden-yellow hue, which not only diminishes the naturalness of complexions—giving them a sunburnt look—but also impacts the overall color saturation, making scenes appear hazier and less delineated than one might expect. This artistic choice affects black levels and contrast as well, though when absent, these elements display excellently, offering deep blacks and a dynamic range that ensures visibility in darker sequences.

Technical aspects aside, the presentation remains pristine and free from blemishes or artifacts. While certain artistic decisions regarding color grading and filtering may detract from an otherwise natural and appealing visual quality, they seem intentional and contribute to the film's unique stylistic vision. Fans might find the punchy comedy enough to overlook these video quirks, keeping engagement high despite some distracting elements in the video's execution.

The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack provided with the "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" Blu-ray is an exemplary audio experience that stands out for its clarity and dynamic range. Dialogue is expertly prioritized and delivered with crisp clarity, effortlessly navigating through the film’s array of exaggerated accents and rapid-fire comedic exchanges without getting lost beneath the weight of the soundtrack or effects. The front and center channels carry this burden with ease, ensuring that every word is not just heard but also felt in the context of the scene. The soundstage, notably extending wide across the front, presents an immersive experience though lacking in depth, which is a minor setback in an otherwise stellar audio presentation.

The surround mix excels in creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with a rich tapestry of sounds. From the nuanced ambient noise to the more direct effects like gunshots, explosions, and the exaggerated clashing in hand-to-hand combat, the audio presentation places the viewer squarely in the middle of the action. The use of the surrounds, although more reserved, effectively enhances the film's ambience and complements the front soundstage, providing a cohesive and enveloping listening experience. The varied blend of music, from bass-thumping tracks to more atmospheric scores, utilizes the LFE channel well, adding a layer of depth and excitement to both action sequences and quieter moments alike.

Overall, the audio presentation on this Blu-ray strikes a fine balance between lively, engaging mixes and the faithful reproduction of dialogue and ambient sounds. It's not overly aggressive but manages to fill the room with a detailed and well-structured sound field that enhances the viewing experience considerably. The effective use of bass and surround channels supports the film's energetic pacing and comedic elements, making for a thoroughly enjoyable audio experience from start to finish.

The Blu Ray extras for "You Don’t Mess with the Zohan" offer a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look into the making of this comedy. Highlights include engaging cast commentary, though the director's solo effort falls a bit flat in comparison. The inclusion of a feature explaining foreign expressions adds an informative touch, enhancing viewer understanding and enjoyment. Additional content showcases the extensive work on stunts, the humorous attempts of Director Dennis Dugan speaking Spanish, and the process of transforming Baja into Tel Aviv. A mix of entertaining cameos and insights into the film's thematic undertones regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict provides depth beyond the laughs. While some features such as "Getting Sticky" may not hold everyone’s interest, overall, the extras nicely round out the viewing experience with a blend of humor, information, and technical insights.

Extras included in this disc:

• 15 Deleted Scenes: Additional scenes not included in the final cut.
• BD Previews: Trailers for Pineapple Express, The House Bunny, Casino Royale, and Hancock.
• Commentary with Adam Sandler, Robert Smigel, Rob Schneider, and Nick Swardson: A light-hearted and entertaining group commentary.
• Commentary with Director Dennis Dugan: Offers a more straightforward perspective on the film's creation.
• Translating the Zohan: A pop-up feature providing translations and context for foreign expressions used in the film.
• Look Who Stopped By: A look at the cameo appearances in the film.
• Dugan: The Hand's on Director: Cast and crew commendations for Director Dennis Dugan.
• The Stunts of Zohan: Insight into how the movie's action sequences were crafted.
• Dugan Espanol?: A humorous feature of Dennis Dugan's attempt to speak Spanish.
• Zohan vs. The Phantom: An interview with John Turturro about his character.
• Zohan's Doubles: Coverage on the stunt doubles used for Adam Sandler.
• Shooting Baja for Tel Aviv: Behind-the-scenes look at the filming location.
• All American Redneck: Feature on Dave Matthews' role.
• From Guns to Scissors: Discussion on the Arab-Israeli conflict themes within the film.
• News on 3: Mini-featurettes with co-stars discussing their roles.
• The Robot: A showcase of a character removed from the final product.
• Laughing is Contagious: A gag reel set to music.
• Deleted Scenes: Detailed view into scenes that were cut from the movie.
• Getting Sticky: A feature with girls in bikinis talking about Zohan.
• BD-Live: Online connectivity for downloading additional content.

"You Don't Mess with the Zohan" delivers a comedic spectacle that ventures into the absurd, showcasing Adam Sandler in one of his most daring roles yet. As Zohan Dvir, an elite Israeli counterterrorist who fakes his death to pursue a career as a hairdresser in New York, Sandler brings his character to life with a blend of over-the-top humor and a surprising touch of sweetness. The film attempts to marry slapstick comedy with a narrative on cross-cultural unity, set against the backdrop of a Palestinian salon. While critics might argue that the movie occasionally trips over its rapid-fire gags and leans heavily into ethnic stereotypes and sexual innuendo, its unique premise and comedic set pieces offer a relentless energy that keeps the audience engaged. The portrayal of Zohan's ludicrous yet endearing dream captures a unique blend of action and comedy, marking it as an original addition to Sandler's filmography.

On the technical front, the Blu-ray presentation of "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" is noteworthy, particularly for its pristine audio quality that complements the movie's dynamic soundtrack and action sequences. However, some viewers might find the video quality to be slightly processed, detracting from the overall visual experience. Despite these minor setbacks, the Blu-ray release is packed with extras that provide ample entertainment value beyond the film itself. The movie, with its eye-catching visuals and robust sound design, offers an engaging home viewing experience.

The script, co-written by Adam Sandler, Robert Smigel, and Judd Apatow, features a series of comedic highs and heartfelt moments that aim to transcend its more controversial elements. While “You Don't Mess with the Zohan” might overwhelm with its constant barrage of gags and somewhat muddled love story between Zohan and Dalia, it undeniably strives for an audacious comedy that challenges conventional tastes. Its appeal may vary among audiences, but for those attuned to Sandler's brand of humor—augmented by a strong supporting cast including Nick Swardson and a myriad of cameo appearances—the film proves to be an ambitiously entertaining ride.

In evaluating the Blu-ray release of "You Don't Mess with the Zohan," we've utilized an array of high-end home theater equipment to ensure a thorough examination of its technical and entertainment qualities. The viewing was conducted using the JVC DLA-RS1x 1080p High Definition Front Projector and Carada Precision Brilliant White 96 Screen, with audio and video sources including the Oppo 970HD universal disc DVD Player, Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player, Panasonic DMP-BD30 Blu-ray disc Player, Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player, and Marantz DV7001 Universal Disc Player. Sound reproduction was managed through a Denon AVR 5308CI THX Ultra 2 Preamp/Video Processor, amplified by B&K Reference 200.7 Series 2 seven Channel amplifier and delivered via Canton Ergo Series and Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers, with the SV Sound PB-13 Ultra subwoofer providing deep bass. Power conditioning was provided by APC AV S15BLK and Furman SPR-20i units, ensuring clean power supply and system protection. Connectivity was ensured through high-quality cabling from Wireworld, VizionWare, Audioquest, and Best Deal Cables, with system cooling provided by Cool Components.

The technical setup delivered an exceptional viewing experience, accurately revealing the film's visual and auditory production values. However, our appreciation of the technical prowess at play was tempered by the film's content. "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" is steeped in non-stop gags and verbal innuendo that can be overwhelming and at times offensive. While there are genuine moments of humor to be found, they are buried under a relentless barrage of jokes that may not appeal to all sensibilities. This approach to comedy often detracts from the narrative’s potential to flow more naturally.

In conclusion, while the Blu-ray presentation of "You Don't Mess with the Zohan," viewed through state-of-the-art home theater equipment, offers a high-quality visual and auditory experience, the film itself might not cater to everyone's taste. The incessant pursuit of laughs at the expense of storytelling coherence and character development could distance viewers looking for a balanced comedic experience. Fans of Adam Sandler might find enjoyment in this offering, but those with a preference for comedy that complements rather than dominates the story may want to approach this title with caution. Renting before purchasing could be a prudent choice for the uninitiated or those unsure of their predilection for this particular brand of humor.