Ace Ventura - Jetzt wird's wild

I didn't think the first movie was any great shakes.

Sure, it had Carrey in it, running amok and mugging and mimicking and making every rude sound a kid would learn by eighth grade. But the story just kept getting in the way.

That's why "When Nature Calls", in my opinion, is much funnier.

The story of securing a sacred bat is neither too intrusive nor annoying and leaves room for gags aplenty.

And Carrey.... Well, he enters a slapstick marathon and wins the gold in every event. I swear the man is made of rubber.

Some of the jokes are pretty gross (the spitting ritual, the "guano" references, etc.) but why should that come as any surprise? Most comedies gear for that kind of humor anymore and, more or less sophisticated, reach the same common denominator: body fluids is funny, dude.

Still, without the fluids and functions, there are still great scenes (Ace's entrance in the dining hall, the monks' reaction to his departure, his behavior at the slide show, his driving habits, his escape from a mechanical rhino) and plenty of opportunities to see Hollywood's most uninhibited comedian use every conceivable part of his body to make us laugh.

I laughed. His work is done.

When this "Nature" calls, answer it.

Nine stars. And remember: do not pass go, do not collect $200.

Despite being retired since a cliff top incident with a racoon, Ace comes out of retirement to help find a missing sacred bat that is the symbol of peace between two African tribes. However he finds things are not all as it seems.

The sequel to the first film was never going to be a fantastically inventive affair but rather more of the same, albeit not as fresh or different. The plot is almost meaningless and certainly not important to enjoying the film. The comedy is everything and it almost manages to make for a good film. Opening with an inspired and hilarious Cliff Hanger spoof followed by a reference to William Shatner's episode of the Twilight Zone, the film fails to really keep it up and slips into relying wholeheartedly on Carrey's mugging.

Mostly this is funny but it is less sophisticated than the first film (if it's possible to describe the first film as that!). The jokes become more about the faces he pulls than about any invention in the dialogue or writing. As such you'll like this or hate it based on how you like Carrey when he is manic. I like him when I'm in the mood and laughed pretty regularly here.

Carrey of course carries the film with ease but also has famous support like he did in the first film. However they are not given as much to do and are of less value – Callow, Gunton and McNeice are not that missed when off-screen. Of curiosity value are several British actors playing Nigerians – Akinnuoye-Agbaje is better known as the amazing actor from Oz on HBO and is given nothing to do here, meanwhile Okonedo is pretty and humorous for those of us who know her better for her gritty role in Clocking Off on BBC1.

Overall anyone watching this should just be aware of what they are getting – it's a silly comedy that is totally reliant on Carrey's mugging to carry it. If you're not in the mood for that then avoid – but even if you are then you should be aware that it still might not be that good a film.

The same again, except now in an exotic location.

If you can stomach at all Carrey's unfiltered shenanigans where subtlety is the greatest sin then this passes the time pleasantly but forgettable, good for weekday night or maybe just killing time on a Saturday morning with your poptarts.

The mystery is enjoyable enough and well thought through enough, the animal presence is impeccable and I love the local color.

I didn't get the impression of it being too culturally insensitive.

There isn't really a character arc but you wouldn't really want one. Ventura helps forgive himself for something so there is that.

I'm glad that no characters other than him return.

Despite most views of this movie, I thought it was just as good as (and in some aspects better than) the original. Of course there was a lot of recycled humor, but there was also a lot of original humor too. I was a little bummed to find out that Courteney Cox wasn't returning in the second installment, but they did just fine without her. I doubt it will happen, but I would love to see an Ace Ventura 3 someday.

I thought the scene where Ace is trapped inside the animatronic rhino was the funniest scene in the movie, but the film is filled with other great scenes too. I also loved the fact that he is a lover of all animals, except Bats. I thought that was such a funny idea for the character. I mean, what does that say about bats if a lover of all animals can't even stand them and finds them revolting. Just thinking about it makes me laugh. I just love the irony I guess. Anyhow, there isn't much more I can say about this film other than if you liked "Pet Detective", you should see "When Nature Calls". "Bumble-Bee Tuna",

-Chris

Jim Carrey is at it again! This time our hero Ace Ventura goes out of retirement and ventures into Africa to investigate a rare white bat and has to go up against a big game hunter and his henchmen who have stolen the bat. And Ace is grossed out and frightened of bats! Ace Ventura When Nature Calls is just as witty and hilarious as it's predessessor.

My favorite scenes were when Ace captured Quinn, and 'tormented' him by trying to make him talk about the whereabouts of the white bat.

And who can forget seeing Jim Carrey driving a monster truck shouting, "Nobody wants to play with me"! And a lot of other scenes that I can't describe because it was all funny! Other Carrey fans might agree too if they had seen all his movies!

Give Ace Ventura parts 1 and 2 a chance! Those movies deserve to be watched, unless of course you don't like comedies! ;) And I completely understand why some people wouldn't like him or his humor and that's fine with me. Heck, Jim Carrey is so popular, that during the theatrical releases of some of his earlier movies later on became animated series for the younger generation of fans! A great movie to watch with family, friends, and fellow Jim Carrey fans! I give both Ace Ventura movies 4 stars!