Jim Carrey is back, and he’s louder, weirder, and more unpredictable than ever in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective 4 (2025). Nearly three decades after the character first burst onto screens, Carrey returns to his rubber-faced detective with a blend of nostalgia and renewed energy that feels both like a throwback and a reinvention. Fans of the franchise will be thrilled to know: the hair is still outrageous, the catchphrases still zing, and yes—Ace still talks to animals better than people.
This fourth installment wastes no time diving into the absurd. When a rare, exotic animal is stolen from a high-profile conservation sanctuary, Ace is once again thrust into a case that spirals from hilarious misunderstandings to full-blown slapstick mayhem. True to form, what should be a straightforward investigation turns into a globe-trotting escapade where every step Ace takes seems designed to make the situation worse—and somehow, funnier.
Jim Carrey’s return is nothing short of a revelation. At 63, his timing, energy, and commitment to physical comedy prove he hasn’t lost an ounce of his comedic edge. His ability to contort his voice, body, and expressions into living cartoons is still unmatched, but what makes this return special is the layer of self-awareness he brings. Carrey isn’t just playing Ace—he’s embracing the absurd legacy of the character, winking at the audience while still throwing himself headfirst into the madness.
Courteney Cox reprises her role as Melissa, the franchise’s straight woman to Ace’s chaos, and her presence grounds the story in both familiarity and warmth. She acts as the much-needed tether to reality, constantly exasperated by Ace’s antics while begrudgingly admitting that he’s the only one who can solve the case. Their chemistry remains delightful, a mix of sharp banter and reluctant partnership.
Sean Young’s return as the once-infamous police lieutenant provides the film with some clever callbacks and a surprising amount of narrative tension. Instead of being sidelined as just another joke, her character adds depth to the mystery at the heart of the plot, keeping the film from dissolving entirely into gag-driven chaos. It’s a smart way of tying the new installment back to the very first Ace Ventura while allowing her character to evolve in unexpected ways.
Director Tom Shadyac, who helmed the original, returns to steer this fourth outing, and his touch is evident in the film’s rhythm. The comedy is broad but never lazy, relying on Carrey’s kinetic brilliance but also making room for visual gags, running jokes, and cleverly absurd set pieces. Shadyac knows that Ace works best when the world takes itself seriously while Ace does the exact opposite, and he leans into that dynamic to maximum effect.
The film also plays with modernity in a way that feels refreshing. Ace’s old-school, anything-for-a-laugh approach collides with today’s technology-driven world, leading to brilliant sequences where his bizarre methods outsmart high-tech security or confound polished professionals. Watching Ace wrestle with drones, apps, and GPS trackers is comedy gold, especially because he approaches them with the same seriousness he would apply to a missing toucan.
Yet, beneath the chaos, there’s a surprising amount of heart. Ace remains an outsider, someone whose oddities make him laughable to most but invaluable when it comes to understanding the natural world. The story hints at themes of conservation and protecting endangered species, giving the film just enough depth to balance its outrageous humor. It’s never heavy-handed, but it adds a layer of sincerity that elevates the film beyond a simple nostalgia trip.
Visually, the movie pops with energy. From elaborate disguises to over-the-top action sequences (including a show-stopping chase involving Ace, a stolen safari jeep, and a flock of flamingos), the spectacle matches Carrey’s heightened performance. The animal cameos—always a staple of the franchise—are funnier than ever, with Ace managing to bond, argue, or outright wrestle with everything from parrots to elephants.
Ultimately, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective 4 succeeds because it remembers what made the character iconic while daring to push him into new territory. It’s unfiltered, ridiculous, and chaotic—but also surprisingly clever and heartfelt. Jim Carrey doesn’t just reprise Ace; he reinvigorates him, proving that some comedy legends really are timeless.
For audiences craving a return to the kind of outrageous, physical comedy that feels rare in today’s landscape, this film is more than a sequel—it’s a celebration. Ace Ventura is back, and the world of comedy feels a little wilder, a little weirder, and a whole lot funnier because of it.
