Movie Review: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is a 1994 comedy film directed by Tom Shadyac. The movie stars Jim Carrey as a detective who consistently searches after missing animals in a comic manner. Courtney Cox is also in this film as a woman who helps Ace uncover the whereabouts of the Miami Dolphins mascot. Throughout the nineties, Jim Carrey made movies during which he always pretty much plays the same character. Even in more "recent" films like Lemony Snicket's and How The Grinch Stole Christmas Carrey channels the same exact acting and character. Ace Ventura is pretty similar in that regard. While this character is slightly unique (as all his roles are) this is still pretty much Jim Carrey dressed in a loose, spy-esque attire who's character never seems to get old. Carrey's performance is one of the few redeeming things about this film. He's funny on his own and that is a huge plus, but nothing in the script is giving him those lines. It all comes down to Carrey's delivery and that was a disappointment. This film's universe is interesting from a stylistic angle. I loved the neo-noir tone and the overall concept. However, this film cannot deliver an interesting story. Perhaps my biggest issue with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is how un-funny this movie is. I only chuckled once or twice and as I said before, that has more to do with Jim Carrey's acting rather than the screenplay. Just like how I was entertained by parts of this movie and the overall story line. When those elements falter though (and trust me they really do) this is a bland and lifeless movie. The beginning of this film is easily the most entertaining and then as the film goes on there's considerably less to keep your attention. I don't think this film is terrible, though. Carrey's character is really enjoyable to watch, I love the tone and feel of this film, and the soundtrack is also quite well used against this script. Overall, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective offers only minimal laughs, the story is rather bland in what could have been a much more engaging movie, but that doesn't stop it from having a unique tonal feel and offering a few legitimately enjoyable moments. 2 stars= C