Watch Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls is a 1995 comedy-adventure film directed by Steve Oedekerk and starring Jim Carrey as the titular character, Ace Ventura. The film follows Ace as he is recruited by a British consulate to find a sacred animal, the Shikaka, that has been stolen from the Wachati tribe in Africa. This sequel to 1994's Ace Ventura: Pet Detective takes the irreverent and slapstick humor of its predecessor and doubles down, adding more outlandish situations and parodies of popular movies like Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park.

At the beginning of the film, Ace Ventura has retreated to a Tibetan monastery after being traumatized by the failure of an investigation. However, he is soon brought out of his self-imposed isolation when he is contacted by the British consulate about the missing Shikaka. Ace is initially reluctant to take the case, but when he learns that the Wachati's rival tribe, the Wachootoo, are suspected of the theft, he sees it as an opportunity to settle a long-standing feud between the two tribes.

Ace travels to Africa and meets with the Wachati tribe's chief, who gives him permission to search for the missing animal. This leads Ace on a wild goose chase through the African wilderness, encountering various obstacles and mishaps along the way. He enlists the help of a beautiful but dangerous big game hunter named Fulton Greenwall, played by Ian McNeice, and a helpful local named Ouda, played by Simon Callow. Together, they navigate treacherous terrain, fend off dangerous animals, and eventually come face-to-face with the Shikaka's captors.

Throughout the film, Jim Carrey's performance as Ace Ventura is as energetic and zany as ever. Carrey effortlessly slips into the character's exaggerated mannerisms and absurd exclamations, making even the most ridiculous situations seem plausible. His comedic timing is impeccable, and the film's many physical gags and one-liners are delivered with the perfect amount of enthusiasm and absurdity.

In addition to Carrey's performance, the film's visual effects and production design are notable for their ambition and creativity. The African landscape is vividly rendered, and the film incorporates a wealth of practical and digital effects to bring its many animal encounters to life. From wrestling a crocodile to being chased by stampeding elephants, Ace's adventures are full of eye-popping spectacle that is sure to delight audiences of all ages.

Despite its comedic nature, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls does touch on a few serious themes. The film explores the tension between cultural preservation and exploitation, as Ace must navigate the delicate relationship between the Wachati and Wachootoo tribes. The film also briefly touches on environmental issues, particularly the dangers that arise from disrupting the ecosystems of fragile habitats.

Overall, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls is a fun and engaging romp through the wilds of Africa. Its combination of slapstick humor, over-the-top action, and Jim Carrey's magnetic performance make it an enjoyable watch for anyone who appreciates a good comedy. While it may not be the most sophisticated film ever made, it delivers on its promise of absurdity and is sure to leave audiences laughing and quoting its catchphrases for years to come.

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls is a 1995 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 45.