I’ve been watching Adam Sandler for almost two decades now, and the entire time, I’ve been thinking the same thing: “What the hell is it that makes this guy so damn funny?” And to this day, I haven’t been able to figure it out.

Do you guys remember Sandler’s Halloween bit on Saturday Night Live, where he went on Weekend Update and described some possible Halloween costumes? But instead of elaborate costumes, he’d just use some minor prop (like a newspaper) to make a silly character. “Hey, I’m crazy newspaper face…now gimme some candy!” And for some reason, each character was hilarious.

Well, it seems to me that Sandler has taken that bit and stretched it out into a unbelievably successful movie career. Instead of creating elaborate characters by drastically altering his personality or appearance (i.e. acting), Sandler has basically just used minor character devices and then proceeded to act like himself but with a funny voice. “Hey, I’m a crazy waterboy who plays football.” “Look at me, I’m a crazy 1980’s wedding singer.” “Hey, I’m a crazy gay firefighter…” And for some reason, it’s been hilarious every time.

But I guess maybe there just isn’t anything complicated to figure out. Maybe it’s just that good old fashion “it factor.” I mean, the guy is obviously one of the funniest men in Hollywood, and apparently anything he does is going to be funny. Period.

Which is why this new movie, You Don’t Mess With the Zohan, is an automatic SEE IT for me. I don’t know why, but I know this movie is going to be funny. Because it’s Sandler, and he always cracks me up, even if all he’s doing in this film is putting on a funny Israeli accent and saying “Look at me, I’m a crazy Mossad agent turned New York hairdresser…now gimme your money!” And give him my money, I will.

You Don’t Mess With the Zohan is not yet rated and opens June 6. (IMDB page)