Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls is the lively sequel to the 1994 comedy blockbuster Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Returning in the title role of the eccentrically unconventional detective specialising in animal retrieval is the renowned Jim Carrey, whose supreme comic talent and physical humour further catapulted his career to new heights. The 1995 movie centres around Ace Ventura's latest assignment set in the African wilderness, taking viewers across an exhilarating journey filled with unmissable laughter.

The sequel continues to demonstrate Carrey's idiosyncratic knack for outrageous comedy as it takes Ventura away from his native Florida, switching the heat of Miami for the scorching plains of Africa. The story begins after a brief period of self-imposed exile undertaken by Ventura, following a tragic incident involving a raccoon, a staple character of his unique clientele. His meditative existence in a Himalayan sanctuary does not last, as he is forcibly pulled back into his detective work; a progression that pulls the movie forward.

Called upon by the British Consul General of the fictitious African country, Nibia, played by Simon Callow, Ace is tasked with the highly sensitive mission of locating and retrieving the Great White bat - Shikaka. The bat is a sacred totem to the native Wachati tribe, whose impending marriage of the chief’s daughter to the first son of the neighboring Wachootoo tribe is contingent upon the safe return of Shikaka. The preservation of peace hinges on Ventura's success.

With the threat of war looming in the absence of the totem animal, Carrey's character, with his eccentric methods and uninhibited personality, dives into the case head first. His distinctive detective techniques starkly conflict the local customs, resulting in hilarious and chaotic situations. The African wilderness provides a striking backdrop for Ventura's misadventures, a landscape far different from his familiar hustling city, yet just as chaotic through his comically-tinted glasses.

Prolific British actor Ian McNeice stars as Floyd—Ace's unwelcome safari companion and the bumbling, hapless counterpart to Carrey's relentless energy. The dynamic duo attempts to unravel as well as survive the mysteries the wilderness offers, and their mismatched pairing gives rise to ample comedic moments.

Directed by Steve Oedekerk, who also wrote the screenplay, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls preserves the original's comic spirit mirrored in Ventura's zany escapades resonating with Carrey's unique comic voice while introducing elements of adventure with the change of scenery. The film takes full advantage of Carrey's abilities as a physical comedian, and the African savannah becomes a playground for his wacky antics, including memorable encounters with wildlife that beautifully articulate the film's tagline: "New animals. New adventures. Same hair."

The movie also skilfully presents an array of secondary characters who add depth and hilarity to the storyline. Oedekerk's narrative brilliantly weaves together elements of comedy, cultural confrontation, and over-the-top action sequences, ultimately concocting an engagingly funny film that expands on Carrey's capabilities whilst remaining true to its predecessor's flair for the humorous absurd.

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls is undoubtedly a vehicle custom-made for Jim Carrey's comic talent. It successfully seizes the various spectacles of his performance persona, further reinforcing the character's spot in the gallery of unforgettable comic heroes of cinema. While the movie might be set in a dramatically different environment, viewers will still enjoy the iconic blend of slapstick and verbal comedy that has become synonymous with the name "Ace Ventura".

All in all, the film does not shy away from its bizarre humor and unquestionable eccentricities that fans came to love from the first edition. With memorable one-liners, wacky characterizations, and a plot fueled by Ventura’s quest, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls sees Carrey at his most resplendent, guaranteeing viewers a wild ride.