Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls

While I remember a little about my first experiences with Ace Ventura, the sequel doesn’t spark any huge memories. “Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls” is a funny show but not as fresh or hilarious as the first film. It does have sidesplitting moments courtesy of Jim Carrey but unlike the first film, not every scene with him is precious. Once again, the best part of this Ace Ventura film is the main character played by Jim but the story offers no twists or surprises like the few ones on the first film. I kind of like how they put Ace in a completely new location with no returning characters from the first film but that could be another reason why the movie is only moderately good.

This film gives me the opportunity to mention all of the best moments where as the first film had so many beloved, laugh-out-loud moments that I couldn’t mention all of them. In this sequel, the slinky part is well thought up and acted out. My favorite moment for Jim in this movie is his scene with the monopoly guy. His voice that he comes up for him is very funny and I think that is what the monopoly guy should actually sound like. Jim performs the projector gags very well also. The battle with the alligator is very funny with lines like “Quit hitting yourself” but represents how unrealistic this film is compared to the first film. One of the funniest lines is Ace’s meditating chant that ends with “All-righty then”. To have a men’s choir repeat that is to die for. The scene where Ace triumphantly escapes on the elephant is great and it makes me cheer. The monster truck is a funny gag in that it is the only vehicle with keys. I like how Ace is able to immediately stop the war just in time by showing up on the battlefield with the bat. No talking or negotiating, he yells out the native name of the bat and runs between the two armies thereby succeeding. We find it unfitting that Cadby escapes the armies but he gets his just deserts when the gorilla shows up in another “cheer” moment. It was cool to see Tommy Davidson and he is quite funny especially when at the end of the film, it is revealed that he is the first son of the Wachootoo tribe. I also like his reaction when Cadby is identified as a white devil. I think the first film was more realistic besides the character of Ace. The sequel felt more phony and when you change the realism of a franchise all of a sudden, it doesn’t feel right. Also I felt that Ace’s new-found spirituality did not for the most part make him more humorous.

Because of the vulgar humor and the lack of freshness, “Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls” is only a moderately entertaining show. Jim Carrey did a great job but when you consider the impact of the first film, the filmmakers had their work cut out for them and only Jim fully succeeded. The story could have been better and the changes made to the feel & location also affect our impression. Maybe the film would have been better if Tom Shadyac had directed it. Still, it is fun to watch “When Nature Calls”. If you buy the first film, you should buy the other as well.

3 Stars