Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

Review by All Movie Guide
The film that marked Jim Carrey's graduation from TV sketch comic to box-office phenomenon, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective had such surprising widespread appeal that it even won over many of those who shook their heads at Carrey's manic antics on Fox's In Living Color. He's none too subtle here, quite literally talking out of his butt ("Do you mind if I ass you a few questions?" is a typical groaner), but his hyperactive willingness to go above and beyond for the laugh soon became Carrey's trademark, and it's exuberantly on display here. The loosey-goosey plot about a kidnapped dolphin keeps the audience in the right frame of mind, and Carrey handles the rest, maliciously manhandling packages while disguised as a delivery man, hiding himself inside an ill-fitting cardboard box, and making a mockery of a home for the insane. It's fitting, of course, that he spends a lot of his time talking to animals -- they meet on level ground, bird brain to bird brain. Sean Young has a lot of fun as the campy villain, and Courteney Cox is appealing as Carrey's love interest. But Carrey is center stage here, and boy, does he take it. The film also marks the directorial debut of Tom Shadyac, who followed with a string of light comedy successes in Liar Liar (also with Carrey), Patch Adams, and The Nutty Professor. ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide