It could be called the Judd Apatow Game (patent pending). Every time a character in one of his movies doffs his clothes, or references his private parts, you could take a drink. Doesn't have to be beer, could be water or lemonade.

Let's just say "You Don't Mess With the Zohan," directed by Dennis Dugan and written by star Adam Sandler, Robert Smigel and Apatow, would leave you well-hydrated.

It doesn't take long for a shot of Sandler's (or his body double's) bare backside, just the first of many in this PG-13 rated comedy about an Israeli commando who fakes his death so he can pursue his dream of styling hair in New York.

The concept is daffy in a funny, fresh way, but the middle of the movie panders for laughs by turning Zohan (Sandler) into a sex machine who provides a little something extra during or after the color, cut and blow drying. See the middle-age or elderly women line up outside the salon for the services of Scrappy Coco, the fake name Zohan uses.

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'You Don't Mess With the Zohan'

2 stars = Mediocre
Ratings explained

• Starring: Adam Sandler, John Turturro
• Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual content throughout, language and nudity.
• Web site: 'You Don't Mess With the Zohan'

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In Israel, Zohan was a top commando who nabbed a Palestinian terrorist named Phantom (John Turturro). "You're like Rembrandt with a grenade," Zohan's father marvels.

But what Zohan really wants to do is to cut and style hair, which leads his parents to ask if he's gay, using a derogatory Yiddish term. He is not, by any means, but he's weary of the endless fighting and just wants to make people "silky smooth."

While chasing the Phantom, he fakes his death and stows away on a plane to America. After arriving in New York, he heads for his dream workplace -- a Paul Mitchell salon -- where he is ridiculed for his out-of-date hairstyle and disco fever.

He eventually lands at a small, struggling salon owned by, of all people, a Palestinian, Dalia (Emmanuelle Chriqui, Eric's girlfriend on HBO's "Entourage"), but he may not be able to keep his real identity a secret.

"You Don't Mess With the Zohan," directed by Dugan ("I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry," "The Benchwarmers"), starts and finishes strong with some sharp observations about ethnic animosity and stereotypes.

In between, you can watch for a parade of former "Saturday Night Live" stars and other recognizable faces in cameos or supporting roles, as with Rob Schneider, who plays a Palestinian cabby named Salim. It's the best part he's had in a long time.

Sandler, who worked out with a Navy SEAL for four months, looks physically fit enough for his feats of strength and adopts an accent as thick as hummus, which goes with any and all food groups and occasions according to this movie.

Sandler and Turturro, especially, look like they're having a great time although at almost two hours, the movie could have benefited from some tightening, toning down the almost nonstop raunch (seemingly aimed at young men) and eliminating one singer's appearance and album plug.

It's all pretty silly, including the "Hezbollah hot line," but Zohan's superhuman soldiering, the Middle Eastern tensions and the immigrant experience -- there's an amusing bit about electronic stores -- take a back seat to the Jewish James Bond's sexual healing.

So, age permitting, break out the beer. To drink or cry into.