Ace Ventura Deluxe Double Feature (Pet Detective / When Nature Calls)
TheAce Ventura Deluxe Double Featureoffers bothPet DetectiveandWhen Nature Callsin anamorphic widescreen with soundtracks in Dolby 5.1 and (not indicated on the packaging) DTS.   The original DVD ofPet Detectivewas full-screen (1.33 aspect ratio) only, though it had a scene with Ace masquerading as Hans Kissvelvet, the dolphin trainer, that was dropped from the theatrical release.  The deluxe edition is missing this scene.  The deluxe edition also has a third disc with three episodes (about 70 minutes total) from the 1995-96Ace Venturaanimated series with Michael Hall as the voice of Ace.--David HoriuchiAce Ventura: Pet Detectivewas the 1994 box-office hit that turned comedy maniac Jim Carrey into Hollywood's first $20-million man.  This gag-filled no-brainer stars Carrey as the titular rubber-faced gumshoe who tracks down lost pets for his heartbroken clients. Ace's latest case involves the apparent kidnapping of the Miami Dolphins' team mascot, Snowflake the dolphin (natch), and his investigation is a source of constant irritation for Miami police lieutenant Lois Einhorn (Sean Young).Friendsfans will appreciate the presence of Courtney Cox, who remains admirably straight-faced as the Dolphins' publicist and Ace's would-be girlfriend, but of course it's Carrey who steals the show with shameless abandon.--Jeff ShannonInWhen Nature Calls, the inevitable sequel, the disappearance of a rare African white bat, draws Ace (Carrey again) out of his spiritual retreat at a Tibetan monastery following the tragic outcome of his previous case. That traumatic experience, which makes for a hilarious opening-scene send-up of the Stallone thrillerCliffhanger, prompts Ace to venture to Africa, where he goes native with the tribe that hired him to find their symbolic bat. From that point anything goes, with Carrey pushing the boundaries of good taste (what, you were expecting good taste?) up to and including his now-infamous "birth" scene from the backside of a mechanical rhinoceros. Lighten up, and don't be ashamed if you find yourself laughing.--Jeff Shannon