Before superheroes dominated the box office, the mid-90s were ruled by a different kind of hero—one who talked out of his butt. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective exploded onto the scene in 1994, catapulting Jim Carrey from TV star to a global comedy phenomenon and cementing a new, hyper-energetic style of physical humor. It’s a film that is simultaneously dated, utterly ridiculous, and yet, for many, remains an unforgettable piece of comedy history.

But does this comedy classic still hold up, or is it a relic best left in the past?

The Plot: As Absurd as Its Hero

The premise is gloriously simple. The mascot of the Miami Dolphins, a bottlenose dolphin named Snowflake, has been kidnapped on the eve of the Super Bowl. Enter Ace Ventura (Jim Carrey), a “pet detective” whose unorthodox methods, flamboyant personality, and obsessive love for animals make him the only man for the job.

What follows is a chaotic mystery filled with bizarre clues, eccentric suspects (including a young Courteney Cox as a team publicist), and a shocking twist villain that, for better or worse, is a product of its time. The plot is merely a clothesline on which to hang a series of increasingly insane comedic set pieces.

The Unstoppable Force: Jim Carrey’s Star-Making Performance

Let’s be clear: There is no Ace Ventura without Jim Carrey. The film is a 90-minute showcase for his unique, rubber-faced, all-out comedic talent. This was the film where he truly unleashed his id upon the world.

Carrey doesn’t just play Ace Ventura; he inhabits him. From the signature full-body shudder and “Alrighty then!” to talking through his teeth and the now-legendary “rhino birth” scene, Carrey’s commitment is absolute. He is a whirlwind of energy, a cartoon character brought to life in a live-action world. This performance defined a generation’s sense of humor and made Ace Ventura an instant icon.