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Ace Ventura: Pet Detective poster

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

year 1994decade 90sdirector Tom Shadyac

86 minutes

Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Jim Carrey Ace Ventura
Courteney Cox Melissa
Sean Young Einhorn
Tone Loc Emilio
John Capodice Sgt. Aguado
Raynor Scheine Woodstock
Frank Adonis Vinnie
Tiny Ron Roc
Troy Evans Roger Podacter
Udo Kier Ronald Camp
Bill Zuckert Mr. Finkle
Judy Clayton Martha Mertz
Alice Drummond Mrs. Finkle
Rebecca Ferratti Sexy Woman
Mark Margolis Mr. Shickadance
Randall "Tex" Cobb Gruff Man
Cannibal Corpse Themselves

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonsguest Zach Lowehost Craig Horlbeckproducer Craig Horlbeck
Explore episodeClose episode

Perfect Age to See This Movie

About ten to eighteen

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:10:05Read transcript
  • The ideal viewing age is framed as roughly ten to eighteen, with older viewers less receptive; Bill’s son dislikes the movie but finds Carrey funny.

Most Rewatchable Scene

Dolphin-pool Star Trek sequence; mansion party; police station

In the discussion (10)
Approx. transcript time · 00:11:22Read transcript
  • The opening package-destruction sequence is praised for silent physical comedy and its practical dog-rescue setup.
  • Zach argues small throwaway gestures are funnier than the film’s big jokes.
  • Opening rescue and hidden pets are scene candidates; Tex Cobb’s boxing history is recalled, the animal ensemble admired and more apartment scenes desired. The monkey’s Friends identity is uncertain.
  • Zach selects the dolphin-pool Star Trek sequence, especially the five-minutes joke and the German-trainer material missing from the streaming cut; theatrical versus expanded-TV memories conflict.
  • The police-station routine and mansion party are scene candidates. The food-face gag and sunflower seeds in the ashtray are food-and-drink alternatives.
  • The unnecessary Mission: Impossible acrobatics, shark reveal and ring-search montage are praised. Needle-drop choices are Aerosmith’s Line Up and the Mission: Impossible theme.
  • Finkel’s mother and the Shady Acres slow-motion/backwards routine are scene candidates; the mother’s Marino line is an insult-award candidate.
  • The Einhorn fight, eagle-mascot fight and apartment investigation are additional scene candidates.
  • Craig chooses the mansion party; Zach keeps the pool first and party second, praising tiny gestures and expressive walks.
  • Carrey’s coordination prompts discussion of athletic comedians; Bill selects the police-station sequence, leaving three distinct scene choices.

Half-Assed Internet Research

Improvisation; bird movement; Cox’s animal fear and rewatch refusal; Letterman premise; Stoyanovich’s kick; fruit clue; VHS business card

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:24:14Read transcript
  • Research reports Carrey’s improvised talking-backside routine, bird-inspired movement and deliberately divisive performance; Robin Williams is a comparison for improvisational range.
  • Shadyac’s filmography, Cox’s reported animal fear and the Letterman-inspired pet-detective premise are discussed as production research.
  • Research reports Cox refusing to rewatch the film and Pete Stoyanovich doubling the kick; his later playoff miss prompts a joking curse and comparisons with real missed kicks.
  • Late research notes fruit arranged as a visual clue on Einhorn’s desk and an Ace business card packaged with a VHS edition.

What’s Aged the Best?

Cox; Carrey’s freedom and performance; twin premise; laces out; bad driving; Miami

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:26:54Read transcript
  • Cox’s reported crush on Carrey challenges doubt that her character could be attracted to Ace; Craig strongly defends her.
  • Cox, giving Carrey creative freedom, his performance, the twin premise, laces-out joke, bad driving and pre-glitz Miami are aged-best choices.

The Craig Century Club

86 minutes

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:33:29Read transcript
  • Cox’s earlier obscurity and Sean Young’s career are discussed; box-office/home-video figures and an 86-minute runtime are reported.
  • The brief runtime and surprisingly coherent revenge mystery are praised, including the pet-detective premise, red herring and unexpected twist; the problematic reveal is acknowledged.

Roger Ebert's review

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:37:05Read transcript
  • Ebert’s one-star rating is explicit; the hosts understand the age gap while defending their lasting amusement.

Hans Gruber Scale Villain Ranking

Einhorn: 3.5–4

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:56:32Read transcript
  • Einhorn receives roughly three-and-a-half to four on the villain scale, with craziness rated higher than execution.

Worst Chemistry

Ace and Melissa — disputed

Flex pick · Zach Lowe

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:56:55Read transcript
  • Zach explicitly selects worst chemistry for Ace/Melissa, criticizing her blandness and lack of banter. Others defend her straight-person role and amused acceptance as deliberate.
  • The attraction is located by a counterargument at the apartment investigation. Ace’s early inability to converse is criticized, while his brief normal-voiced sympathy and dog-food aside are praised.

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

Championship rings; Melissa; underused Tone Lōc; football details; final reveal

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:04Read transcript
  • The universal wearing of old AFC championship rings is the weak-link choice, contrasted with rare real-life ring wearers and owners.
  • Weak-link discussion adds Einhorn wearing the revealing ring during the theft, Melissa’s blandness, underused Tone Lōc, weak football details and the final reveal’s plotting as well as its prejudice.

Is There a Porn Parody of This Movie?

Ass Ventura: Crack Detective (1995)

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:10Read transcript
  • A 1995 adult parody is identified as Ass Ventura: Crack Detective, with its title mocked; the hosts limit further research and compare the opening comic encounter.

What’s Aged the Worst?

Transphobic reveal; homophobic reaction; dated references; big jokes disputed; end-credit song; live mascots

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:04:44Read transcript
  • Aged-worst discussion criticizes the transphobic reveal and homophobic reaction, contextualizing its Crying Game parody without defending it. Dated Star Trek references and Melissa’s attraction are also debated.
  • Zach criticizes the big scripted jokes, including the talking-backside routine and mirror line; others defend their effect on younger viewers and Tone Lōc’s reactions.
  • The end-credit song and live animal mascots are aged-worst choices, prompting Zach’s mascot rankings and uncertainty about real dolphins and college mascots.

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Carrey Oscar nomination; Marino fourth among athlete cameos

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:04Read transcript
  • Craig’s hottest take calls for an Oscar nomination for Carrey’s irreplaceable performance; the hosts discuss a comedy-performance award or annual multi-film MVP.
  • Bill ranks Marino fourth among athletes playing themselves, behind Kareem, Reggie Jackson and Tyson. The choice is disputed with Jeter, Favre and Griffey alternatives; Space Jam is excluded.

Casting What-Ifs

Moranis; Goldberg; Grier; Holly; Stern; disputed Nelson/Rickman claims

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:54Read transcript
  • Casting What-Ifs reports Moranis, Goldberg, Grier, Holly and director Stern possibilities; Nelson and Rickman claims are explicitly doubted as unreliable internet trivia.

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

The landlord

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:08Read transcript
  • The landlord, recognized as Hector Salamanca, wins That Guy; the mocking policeman is another candidate whose name is not securely recalled.

Recasting Couch

More Dolphins; Murphy or Davidson as Emilio; Stone as Einhorn

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:26Read transcript
  • Recasting ideas include more Dolphins players, Murphy or Tommy Davidson replacing Tone Lōc, and Sharon Stone replacing Young.

References You Missed as a Child

Love Boat; Crying Game; Star Trek; Binaca; Claude Rains; Poltergeist; Tone Lōc; Miami Vice; Connery

Flex pick · Craig Horlbeck

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:23:29Read transcript
  • Craig introduces the Millennial Missed Reference Power Ranking flex, beginning with Love Boat, Crying Game, Star Trek and Binaca references; it is not yet a numbered ten-entry list.
  • Craig’s missed-reference flex continues with Binaca, Claude Rains, Poltergeist, Tone Lōc, Miami Vice and Connery. Zach dislikes the exorcised-demons punchline and also missed several references when young.
  • The hosts defend dated cultural references as entertaining later discoveries, contrasting Wayne’s World 2 relying on a whole-film Doors parody.

Picking Nits

Super Bowl logistics; pet care; kicker history; mascots; Einhorn’s plan and promotion; asylum and evidence

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:28:30Read transcript
  • The low-key Super Bowl, indifference to Marino’s kidnapping, easy traffic and casual halftime return are early nitpicks.
  • Pet care, feeding, smell and Ace’s acceptance of a captive dolphin are nitpicked; his commitment to animals is questioned without a settled conclusion.
  • The Super Bowl result and Snowflake logistics remain unanswered, the historical score is challenged, and the missing trainer scene is strongly criticized.
  • Nitpicks ask why the accomplished kicker was a midseason replacement, why the Eagles mascot is on the Dolphins sideline and why Einhorn leaves for refreshments; henchmen competence is questioned.
  • Einhorn’s elaborate plan and rapid rise through police ranks are challenged as a weak plot foundation.
  • Asylum admission and conveniently preserved evidence are nitpicked, while Ace struggling with the box is a late funny-scene candidate. The importance of the missing dolphin is debated.

Apex Mountain

Pet detectives; Carrey’s 1994 comedy year; AFC rings

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:06Read transcript
  • Apex answers place Carrey later in his 1994 run, Cox at Friends/Scream and Marino in the 1980s; pet detectives, Carrey’s comedy year and AFC rings receive yes answers, with the Dolphins’ recent peak a joke.

Cruise or Hanks?

Hanks, 2–1

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:30:46Read transcript
  • Hanks beats Cruise two to one; Zach argues Cruise’s darkness and physicality fit Ace, while the others prefer early comedic Hanks and call the role uniquely Carrey’s.

Scorsese or Spielberg?

Scorsese

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:32:57Read transcript
  • Scorsese wins the director comparison because of Ace’s meaner side, with a darker hypothetical version imagined.

Best Hang / Worst Hang

Best: Finkle’s mother, Podacter, Melissa, Woodstock; worst: Ace, Melissa, Einhorn

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:33:26Read transcript
  • Best-hang choices are Finkle’s mother, Podacter, Melissa and Woodstock; Melissa’s appeal is disputed. Worst-hang choices include Ace, Melissa and Einhorn.

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Eagles bet; postponing the Super Bowl; possible Silence of the Lambs homage

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:41:08Read transcript
  • Unanswerable questions concern a possible Eagles bet and whether a kidnapped starting quarterback would force postponement; Celtic Pride is a film comparison, not a real incident.
  • A possible Silence of the Lambs homage and the weekend-surgery line are discussed; the homage remains qualified.

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

Finkle’s ring; anti-Marino crafts; notebook; Dolphins items; hometown sign; mannequin

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:44:00Read transcript
  • Memorabilia choices include Finkle’s damaged ring, anti-Marino crafts, laces-out notebook, Dolphins items, altered hometown sign and the stabbed Marino mannequin.

Producer review

Skipped because Craig hosted

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:47:13Read transcript
  • The separate producer reaction is explicitly skipped because Craig is already a host.

More from the conversation

Craig Horlbeck is explicitly introduced as the show’s producer and a participating host; Zach Lowe makes his first Rewatchables appearance and selected Ace Ventura from his wish list.
Approx. transcript time · 00:01:43Read transcript
Zach calls the film formative while recognizing problematic material; Craig praises Carrey’s human-cartoon commitment and overlap with his stand-up persona.
Approx. transcript time · 00:02:58Read transcript
Bill and Zach explain the Dion Waiters award’s origin in their Waiters Island fandom and shirts.
Approx. transcript time · 00:04:23Read transcript
Bill recalls early Carrey impressions, Once Bitten, In Living Color and rejected SNL auditions; the hosts praise Carrey’s later SNL hosting and speculate he would overpower regular sketches.
Approx. transcript time · 00:05:03Read transcript
Carrey’s extraordinary 1994 three-film breakout and escalating salaries are discussed, alongside the creative and financial risk of Ace Ventura.
Approx. transcript time · 00:08:07Read transcript
The hosts contrast star-centered absurd comedies with modern streaming and television, imagining a Domingo movie and praising collective theatrical laughter.
Approx. transcript time · 00:12:11Read transcript
Theater cost, horror versus comedy audiences, online criticism and reduced opportunities for performers are debated; Zach describes household limits on horror and violence.
Approx. transcript time · 00:14:38Read transcript
Shane Gillis, Zoolander, Ferrell and Apatow illustrate changing comic styles; Carell’s long apprenticeship, range and appearance are discussed.
Approx. transcript time · 00:17:43Read transcript
An unranked survey of 1994 films supports the year’s strength, followed by Mighty Ducks and Terminator sequel preferences.
Approx. transcript time · 00:21:17Read transcript
Cox’s Dancing in the Dark, Family Ties, Seinfeld and Friends trajectory is discussed, with Ace Ventura viewed as an important bridge.
Approx. transcript time · 00:27:57Read transcript
Cox and Aniston’s appeal prompts basketball analogies and disagreement over accessibility; Zach reserves a different take for later.
Approx. transcript time · 00:30:32Read transcript
Hypothetical NBA equivalents to Finkel’s revenge include JR Smith, Draymond and Jordan Poole; no actual allegation is made.
Approx. transcript time · 00:36:19Read transcript
Marino and Shula participating during their active careers is admired; casting motivations and compensation remain speculation.
Approx. transcript time · 01:18:15Read transcript
The closing laces-out discussion distinguishes the hosts’ unfamiliarity from McAfee’s reported explanation; sports mechanics are not independently verified.
Approx. transcript time · 01:46:00Read transcript