Netflix can’t make epic, raunchy Jim Carrey double feature

Author: Robert Skuch Published 26 seconds ago

Here is a riddle for you to solve quickly. What do Jim Carrey, bat guano, death metal band Cannibal Corpse and Monopoly have in common? They were all an important part of the Ace Ventura collection, which helped launch Carrey’s ridiculous career in the early ’90s. Our favorite rubber-faced goofballs were unstoppable throughout the decade, and a lot of that success came from the unexpected financial success of 1994 Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and its follow-up in 1995, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls.

Both films were criticized for being childish and cheap, but Ace Ventura’s film quickly became a fan favorite and remains one of those films that people insist “you couldn’t make today.” Maybe there’s a grain of truth in it, but that hasn’t stopped these movies from finding a comfortable home on Netflix. Anyone who grew up referencing these movies can now enjoy watching them anytime, anywhere. Please note: You will need to call back the reference. The whole process is just annoying and no one wants to live with it. Believe me. I’ve learned this firsthand.

The first movie proved the concept

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Its central character is the laughingstock of the Miami Police Department. Ace is a dynamic private eye whose unorthodox methods continually land him in hot water. When Ace is assigned to investigate the disappearance of bottlenose dolphin mascot Snowflake, he finds himself caught up in a wild goose chase involving corrupt billionaire Ronald Camp (Udo Kier) and members of the 1984 Miami Dolphins. Despite his off-putting, over-the-top expressions and forcing himself into every possible incriminating situation, Ace actually uses deductive reasoning and his confident attitude to save the world.

completely free, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Loud (thanks to the cannibal zombie explosion in the club scene), arrogant, and even off-putting if you’re looking for someone to play it straight. Critics hated the movie, giving it a rough 47% score on Rotten Tomatoes, but the film has now become a cult classic because it’s so focused on its own absurdity that you can’t help but laugh at Carrey’s rubberface nonsense. A $107 million box office hit on a $15 million budget sealed the deal for a sequel, and I firmly believe it was a better movie.

The sequel takes things to 11

Becoming bigger, badder, even bolder, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls Ace moved to sub-Saharan Africa, where he was mistaken for the “White Devil,” forced to face his fear of bats, take on poachers, and destroy more vehicles than anyone else. The film doubled its budget and went all out on spectacle. Throwing a pogo stick down a monastery staircase, a ridiculous seismic test and Ace climbing naked out of an animatronic rhinoceros are all part of the itinerary. And the eyeball scene? My brother has done this before!

Critics were harsher on it, giving it a 23% approval rating, but audiences weren’t enough. The film earned $212 million on a $30 million budget and still maintains a 72% audience approval rating thanks to Jim Carrey’s input into the film.

Streaming Ace Ventura

Considering how licensing and copyright holdings continue to ruin the streaming experience, it feels like a miracle that both Ace Ventura movies are available in their full, insane glory on Netflix. If you want to run a proper double function, you actually can. But if you’re pressed for time I’ll go when nature calls. The first movie did a good job of establishing the characters we all knew, but it was rough around the edges and lacked cohesion. The sequel jumps right into the chaos because it knows exactly what Ace is and why you should tune in.

So next time you’re looking for a raunchy screwball comedy to indulge in after a long day, you might as well go all out and give Ace another chance.

As of this writing, both Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and its sequel, when nature callsnow streaming on Netflix.