The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

For all of Carrey's wacky antics and the, at times, overbearingly silly tone of the piece, there's actually a really dark, surprisingly layered mystery running through 'Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)'. This isn't all that unusual for films starring the eccentric but sometimes unsettling star, though, as he tends to pick projects with somewhat of an underlayer to them. It is actually this rather accomplished piece of storytelling that cements the flick as one much better (despite some slightly problematic moments later on) than the 'stupid, vulgar comedy' some critics have 'relegated' it to being. That said, the comedy still is a funny one and the laughs are the primary focus, though here they aren't quite as intense or as cohesive with the concept as in some of Carrey's other work. We're asked to root for, and tolerate, an undeniably over-the-top and abrasive main character, and that can be difficult at times. It's certainly not impossible, however, and the flick is usually a good time throughout with plenty of laughs and a decent plot, to boot. 8/10

Much like "Dumb and Dumber", which actually was released in the same year as this film, "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" showcases the side-splitting humor of Jim Carrey at his comedic peak.Though the basic plot has Carrey's pet detective "investigator" on the trail of a missing dolphin, it is the crazy plot twists (much like "Dumber") that make this film so hilarious. From the opening credits, where delivering a simple package turns into an adventure, to the hunt for a missing Super Bowl ring, and finally to the hilarious jaunt through a mental institution (where Carrey must "play" a potential patient), pretty much every scene in the film will have you laughing out loud. Plus, with each viewing, you will find a different hilarious scene that you may have overlooked before.Of course, it truly is the physical comedy style of Carrey that puts this movie in my top-three comedies of all-time. Where some films just have to rely on good jokes to be funny, this one combines those great jokes with Carrey's ability to make every single scene an exercise in hilarity. The guy must have a face made out of rubber, as he can transform/contort it to meet every emotion known to mankind. On a few occasions, when the actual intended joke may fall flat, Carrey's facial/bodily reactions will still render it hilarious.Thus, this film is a must-own for pretty much everyone, but especially those who appreciate Carrey's style of comedy. Let's just say it will fit you "like a glove", while rendering the competition "La-Hoo, Sa-Hers!"

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective shouldn't really be as funny as it is. It's random, head scratching and just deeply juvenile, and happens to be one of the funniest films ever made. Why? Jim Carrey. The man is spun gold on camera, and he sells every outlandish minute of this gonzo Looney Toons goofball of a flick. It really wouldn't work without him. I mean, could you imagine, say, Dustin Hoffman, or John Travolta trying to pull of this kind of malarkey? OK, I did just laugh really hard picturing that, so it would be funny, but only in an embarrassing way. No, it had to be Carrey, and he's an engine of unbridled comic mania the entire way through. One acting technique involves basing your performance off of the mannerisms of an animal, and I've heard that he chose a cockatoo as the blueprint for Ace. The head bobs, squirrelly movements and that epic, instantly recognizable ocean crest of a hairdo. Makes sense, and I couldn't unsee it after hearing that. Ace is probably the most eccentric, beloved character Carrey has ever fashioned, and for good reason. He's like a cannon loaded with jokes, quips, pop culture references, personal space invading antics, a complete lack of inhibitions, a treasure trove of rubber faced muckery and a deep love for any and all creatures of the animal kingdom. Those are pretty much all of the qualities one should look for in a human being. I say that now, but I feel like after spending ten minutes with the guy I'd look for the nearest exit. Ace is on the case, when he's not goofing off, which is always. Somehow he finds time to search for the missing mascot of the Miami Dolphins, an actual dolphin named Snowflake. The story dimly unfolds in the background of all his tomfoolery, and includes Dan Marino, a suspicious billionaire (Udo Kier, whose exasperation at Carrey's behaviour looks very un-faked), and an ice queen of a Police Chief played by Sean Young, with an arc that goes to some pretty disturbing places for this kind of light fare. He also finds time to have hot jungle love with Courtney Cox, and speak to people through his asshole like a deranged Muppet, among many other things that will have you questioning why you're watching it, only to realize it's like your twentieth viewing and you have no plans to ever stop. It's Carrey's show, and he takes it into orbit, never letting the mania subside for a nanosecond. He's borderline certifiable, which comes in handy when he has to infiltrate a mental facility, because the guy halfway to belonging there anyway. There's just so many cherished little moments, mannerisms and scenes that don't ever get old, for those of us that love this character. Carrey shaped the landscape of comedy a lot during this portion of his career, and the mile markers that he released stand tall and undiminished to this day, bringing hilarity to all. The sequel is genius too, and one of those rare follow ups that is just as solid as the first.

This is, without a doubt, one of the weirdest movies I have seen. It is a very decent detective story with some truly dramatic and I daresay tragic moments buried underneath a third-rate comedy about an obnoxious pet detective. It isn't that original — Cherry Falls, for one, is based on a very similar premise — but it could have been a great psychological thriller if given center stage and developed properly. Instead, center stage is given to Jim Carrey, who redefines obnoxious and over-the-top. I don't even know what kind of audience the comedy portion is aimed at; it is obviously not for kids, but I can't imagine who else would find it even remotely funny (well, aside from the part where Jim Carrey fights a mascot at the end, that's pretty hilarious). The movie is certainly memorable, but Jim Carrey has nothing to do with it. I give it 5 stars for the Finkle/Einhorn subplot and 0 for everything else.