Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

Cast: Jim Carrey, Courtney Cox, Sean Young, Tone Loc and Troy Evans.

Director: Tom Shadyac

Release Date: 1994

Running Time: 1hr 25 minutes

Genre: Comedy

Rating: 12

Format: DVD

Synopsis:

A witty detective specialising in animals, goes in search of the missing mascot Snowflake from the Miami Dolphins.

Ace Ventura (Carrey) is on a mission to find a rare albino dove when he learns Snowflake the Miami Dolphin's mascot has gone missing. Ventura teams up with Melissa Robinson (Cox) to help him. Will his lists of suspects lead him to the right person, or is the suspect a lot closer then first appears? The film that essentially made Jim Carrey famous! Director Tom Shadyac also went on to direct "Liar Liar" and "Bruce Almighty" also starring Jim Carrey.

Jim Carrey delivers one of his best performances as the ever so goofy Ace Ventura. Disliked by his colleagues for his unorthodox approach to his work. Jim Carrey presents his hilarious act from his stand up show to his performance on screen. Carrey shows a terrific amount of characterisation and humour delivering a fantastically funny performance. Courtney Cox is excellent as Ventura's sidekick Melissa Robinson. Very different from her "Friends" performance, Cox proves she's more then capable of being the leading lady.

Sean Young is brilliant as Lt Lois Einhorn. Mysterious and ferocious. Dominant and overpowering over Ace Ventura. Ventura is fearless. Although a comedy, it's quite dark in places and full of language. There is a perfect balance of drama and comedy. A real sense of mystery behind the disappearance of Snowflake. The storyline doesn't actually focus on the dolphin, but more a footballer Ray Finkle who has thought of have stolen the dolphin.

The storyline is hilariously funny, extremely well written by Jack Bernstein. Fantastically cast and very well thought out. The film really would be nothing without Jim Carrey. Delivering his dialogue so brilliantly. There is a smashing twist come the end of the film, that will take most by surprise. Ventura's gorgeous Capuchin monkey makes an appearance.

Visually a standard looking film, there's nothing particularly spectacular about the cinematography. It is, however very nicely shot. Ace's apartment matches that of his personality very nicely. The humour is extremely tongue in cheek. The film comes with a very fun and entertaining score with the likes of Aerosmith, Cannibal Corpse and Boy George. It coincides with the storyline very nicely.

Magnificently funny.

5/5 stars