Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

45% of critics liked it
(51 reviews)
57% of users liked it
(31,687,365 ratings)

When your dog, bird, or water-dwelling mammal disappears, who do you call? Ace Ventura (Jim Carrey) is a low-rent private eye who specializes in recovering lost animals, so when Snowflake, the Miami Dolphins' aquatic mascot, is kidnapped, team representative Melissa Robinson (Courtney Cox) puts Ace… More When your dog, bird, or water-dwelling mammal disappears, who do you call? Ace Ventura (Jim Carrey) is a low-rent private eye who specializes in recovering lost animals, so when Snowflake, the Miami Dolphins' aquatic mascot, is kidnapped, team representative Melissa Robinson (Courtney Cox) puts Ace on the case. However, Snowflake isn't the only Miami Dolphin who has gone missing; several key members of the team also disappear, including quarterback Dan Marino (who plays himself), who is spirited away while filming a TV commercial. With the Super Bowl only two weeks away, will Ace be able to find Snowflake and the missing athletes in time to salvage the big game? Ace Ventura: Pet Detective was a surprise box office smash and catapulted manic comedian Jim Carrey to stardom. The supporting cast includes Sean Young as ill-tempered Lois Einhorn, Udo Kier as the sinister Ronald Camp, and rapper Tone Loc as Ace's detective pal Emilio (Loc also wrote and performed a song for the closing credits). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Tom Shadyac
Genres: Action & Adventure, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1993 Wide
On DVD: Sep 11, 1997
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
Carrey suggests an escaped mental patient impersonating a game-show host.
Michael Sragow, New Yorker
[Carrey's] comic language is made up of accent marks, not characters; instead of inhabiting a scene, he swallows it up and spits it out in manic doodles.
Variety Staff, Variety
Unlike famous bumbling sleuths such as Inspector Clouseau and Lt. Frank Drebin, there's no consistency to the "Ace" character, and the whole movie shifts in tone from social satire to sophomoric pranks and traditional copshow plotting.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
The most obnoxious case of masculine swagger since Andrew Dice Clay, with just a tad of Paul Lynde thrown in for spice, Jim Carrey defies you not to bolt for the exit.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
Only a child could love Mr. Carrey's character, but that may be the point. The movie has the metabolism, logic and attention span of a peevish 6-year-old.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
The comic momentum sputters long before the running time has elapsed.
Common Sense Media Editors, Common Sense Media
Skip it unless you love Carrey's gross-out humor.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Ace is not the typical movie goofball, smart aleck, or idiot savant; he's a genuine weirdo who happens to be stunningly competent at his job. The same can be said for the film's justly popular leading man.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Ace is not the typical movie goofball, smart aleck, or idiot savant; he's a genuine weirdo who happens to be stunningly competent at his job. The same can be said for the film's justly popular leading man.
, Film4
The perfect platform for Carrey to showcase his physical comedy skills.
, Empire Magazine
Neither terrible, boring nor soporific, just not very funny.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
One can only suppose that Carrey realized the filmmakers hired him because of his zaniness, and he tried to reinforce this impression in every shot.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Carrey has no funny lines and no funny gags; what he's left with is acting silly, striking poses, and making faces at the camera.
, Time Out
Desperate stuff.
Bill Clark, FromTheBalcony
A career-making film for Jim Carrey and still his funniest offering.
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
An absolute torture test.
John Wirt, Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)
Loose-limbed, rubber-mouthed and poodle-hyper, Carrey is the screen's next great clown.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The comedy, which overall is rather silly with some very funny moments, introduces a new major comedian, Jim Carrey.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Jim Carrey's first hit is physical shtick all the way.

Read all 19 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Film C

Well its entertaining i dont think its as funny as the second and these arent the best movies in the world, just silly light hearted movies to laugh at!
Jason S

Eh
Cassie H

Jim Carrey ROX!!!!!!!!!!! (:
Directors C

I simply cannot believe how people can't see how hilarious Ace Ventura: Pet Detective actually is. You cant help but notice Jim Carrey's enthusiasm that brought this hilarous character to life. Ace Ventura is filled with hilarious moments and surreal storytelling that make… More
I simply cannot believe how people can't see how hilarious Ace Ventura: Pet Detective actually is. You cant help but notice Jim Carrey's enthusiasm that brought this hilarous character to life. Ace Ventura is filled with hilarious moments and surreal storytelling that make this film a comedy classic. It's funny and it's well amde and you have to credit Jim Carrey because if it wasn't for his enthusiasm this film might not have even become a cult classic.
Alexander D

Overflows with toilet humor. Jim Carrey at his absolute worst so far.
Brad W

Jim Carrey is hilarious, but this was not one of his best.
Sergio G

Classic!
AJ V

If you enjoy the outrageous, goofy, somewhat stupid humor of Jim Carrey, you have to see this movie. It's really very funny, and there's a bunch of animals in it, too. I really enjoyed this movie, and I recommend it.
Kase V

Don't know what the problem is here! Ace Ventura is my favorite Jim Carrey character. Hands down. I'm sorry, but I don't care if there is a problem with that. He is so amazingly hilarious.
Lenny M

Start of a mediocre career Update: I can't believe that was my original review.
KJ P

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is a stupid comedy that had me laughing the whole way through. The only flaw is that I found Jim Carrey's character a bit annoying at times. However, Pet Detective is still a hilarious film that everyone should enjoy!
Michael E

This is by far one of Jim Carreys funniest films
erika b

Really funny and really good but i was getting sick and tired of the ace after a while.
Richard C

C
Jeff "

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective was the start of star Jim Carrey's career. At the beginning of the 90's, he made some of the funniest comedies. Ace Ventura being one of them. Jim Carrey is very funny in his big break role, and he was able to make the best out of this role. Ace… More
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective was the start of star Jim Carrey's career. At the beginning of the 90's, he made some of the funniest comedies. Ace Ventura being one of them. Jim Carrey is very funny in his big break role, and he was able to make the best out of this role. Ace Ventura is a very funny film with one of the best performances that he has ever given. Ace Ventura was a great break through for Carrey, and he managed to create other memorable roles with Dumb and Dumber and The Mask, and his final great comedy, Me, Myself and Irene before going into a steady decline. Despite this, we at least have films like ce Ventura to remind us that Jim Carrey was once great at making us laugh out loud. Looking back after all the these years, Ace Ventura is still very funny 16 years after it's initial release. Also this film introduced me to Cannibal Corpse, one of the best death metal bands in the underground death metal scene. I saw the TV cut of the film, and theres a scene in thatv version where Jim Carrey gets on stage with Cannibal Corpse, which is absent on the dvd cut of the film. I think it's a great shame because that scene is extremely funny, and any metalhead might enjoy Jim Carrey rocking out with Cannibal Corpse, I know I did. Though not a flawless film, Ace Ventura will definitely give you a good laugh if you're in the mood. Ace Ventura still manages to make me laugh after all these years. Ace Ventura is a very hysterical film with delivery from Jim Carrey, however this is one of Jim Carrey's best comedic outputs at the beginning of the 90's. I just think it was a real shame that he's not able to be as funny as he was in this film.
Jennifer D

When I was a kid, I loved this movie. Had no idea what it meant, but loved it. And above all, above all story, above all acting and everything, Jim Carrey is ah-mazing. Hands down comic genius. Hnads down.
♥Robyn

alrightyyyy then....i found this so hiillarious !!!
Carlos M

Silly and hysterical, very funny, an entertaining Jim Carrey flick.
Conner R

Probably one of my favorite comedies of all time. Jim Carrey is incredibly priceless as a deranged animal lover. It's probably one of the only times that physical comedy actually works and doesn't come off as cheap. I loved the kooky plot and just how unique it is from any… More
Probably one of my favorite comedies of all time. Jim Carrey is incredibly priceless as a deranged animal lover. It's probably one of the only times that physical comedy actually works and doesn't come off as cheap. I loved the kooky plot and just how unique it is from any other movie.
Anthony L

Not my kind of humor. If Jim Carrey is in it, chances are I will hate it.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Jim Carrey as Ace Ventura

            Courteney Cox as Melissa Robinson

            Sean Young as Lois Einhorn

            Dan Marino as Himself

            Troy Evans as Roger Podacter

            Udo Kier as Ronald Camp

            Raynor Scheine as Woodstock

            Tone-Loc as Emilio

            Frank Adonis as Vinnie

            John Capodice as Aguado

            Judy Clayton as Martha Maxx

            Randall "Tex" Cobb as Miami Dolphins' owner

            Alice Drummond as Mrs. Finkle

            Rebecca Ferratti as Sexy Woman

            Will Knickerbocker as Manager

            Mark Margolis as Mr. Shickadance

            David Margulies as Doctor

            Terry Miller as Assistant Director

            Florence Mistrot as Neighbor

            Scott Mitchell as Miami Dolphin

            Gary Munch as Director

            Tiny Ron as Roc

            Don Shula as Himself

            Noble Willingham as Riddle

            Bill Zuckert as Mr. Finkle

            John Archie as Reporter #3

            Antoni Corone as Reporter #1

            Chris Barnes as Thrasher Band "Cannibal Corpses"

            Randal "Tex" Cobb
            
            Tone Loc
            
See full cast