| Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls | | Cast : | Jim Carrey | | Director : | Steve Oedekerk | | Studio : | Warner Studios | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Dolby | | Released Date : | November 10, 1995 | | DVD Released Date : | February 03, 2004 | | Language : | Spanish (Dubbed), French (Subtitled), English (Original Language), French (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled) | | Audience Rating : | PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | July 12, 2005 | | Summary | Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (Three and a Half Stars) | Content
 | This review refers to the Warner Bros. DVD edition of the film.
THE WHO'S WHO: Starring Jim Carrey, Ian McNeice, Simon Callow, Maynard Eziashi, Bob Gunton, Sophie Okonedo, Tommy Davidson, Adewale, Ken Kirzinger. Score Composed By Robert Folk. Produced By James G. Robinson. Written and Directed By Steve Oedekerk. (PG-13) For Mild Violence, Very Mild Profanity, Very Brief Nudity and Very Mild Sexual Content; 94m.; 1995.
WHAT'S GOING ON IN HERE?: That loveable lunatic Ace Ventura (Jim Carrey) is back in action and this time he's headed for the darkest reaches of Africa. After trying to find spiritual attainment, Ace is contacted to help find a sacred animal that will stop warring African tribes from tearing each other apart. But when that sacred animal turns out to be a bat, Ace has second thoughts about taking the case. While many comedy fans believe the "Ace Ventura" films to be filled only with scatological humor and room for Carrey to exert his boundless enthusiasm, this sequel features a strong plot that connects the dots from A to Z in tight fashion. It's no "Gone With the Wind" or "Citizen Kane", but it puts to shame a lot of the B-movie fluff that hit theaters in the early to mid-nineties. Writer/director Steve Oedekerk can take partial credit for that feat, as he combined the humorous script with befitting supporting cast members. Make no mistake, this is Jim Carrey's vehicle all the way. Ninety percent of the laughs come from Carrey's comical antics. As if Carrey wasn't given enough manic, over-the-top license in the original film, he doubles his intense output for the sequel. The key to the film, though, is surrounding Carrey with amiable talent that can bolster his outrageous performance. Ian McNeice (as Fulton Greenwall) and Simon Callow (as Vincent Cadby) lend a nice supporting presence to the film. Bob Gunton's role as Burton Quinn is much too small to be effectively enjoyable but highly underrated comedy talent Tommy Davidson matches Carrey's rapid-fire mannerisms well in their fight scene. Davidson deserved more screen time as the Wachootoo's tiny warrior. The African settings could also be credited as support for the film, giving the story new twists and inventive new moments of hilarity that the original "Pet Detective" wasn't able to conjure. Lastly, the score is another fine example of Robert Folk's ("Police Academy", "National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1") work, truly suiting the film's off-the-wall hysterics. Trivia buffs take note: the helicopter pilot in the opening credits of this film is played by future Jason Voorhees star Ken Kirzinger ("Freddy vs. Jason"). Overall, "When Nature Calls" proves that a sequel can occasionally live up to the expectations of its predecessor. Fans of the first can revel in the fact that their beloved Ace is the same old misguided goofball who continues to live in his own whacked out world.
THEY SAY THEY'RE SPECIAL BUT...: The 2.35:1 widescreen is a beautiful presentation, a blessed change from the full screen only "Pet Detective" disc, despite some relatively unobtrusive digital shimmer to the right of the picture on high definition monitors. The accompanying 5.1 surround sound can be boisterous at times, particularly in the musical backdrops, however some of the early sequences don't fully utilize the surround. There's also 2.0 tracks in both French and Spanish while subtitles are presented in all three languages (English, French and Spanish). Subtitles are white, easy to read and have been placed within the frame of the film. The front cover of this paper case finds Ace Ventura once again proudly displaying his business card, this time standing on the backs of two open-mouthed alligators. The back cover is an appropriate jungle homage while the inside of the case finds a photograph of Ace wearing native African clothing and also displays the thirty-six chapter stops for this ninety-five minute film. Regrettably, this early release Warner Bros. DVD is a flip disc that places the widescreen version on one side and a terribly sliced 1.33:1 full screen version on the other. Special features are limited to six sections of production notes and the original theatrical trailer (2:04). The production notes are divided into "Cast and Crew", "Making a Sequel", "The Look of the Film", "Ace's 'do", "Animals, Animals, Animals" and "On Location". All of the sections are brief, mildly entertaining segments but they're nothing to write home about. The trailer is more involved than the one for the original movie and really gives viewers the sense of fun they're going to experience when watching the film. It also includes a line from Ventura, "I am fighting something", after he sneezes (when first introduced to the Wachati tribe) that isn't included in the actual movie. As an added bonus, the trailer (2:08) for the first "Ace Ventura" film is also included on the disc. One can only wonder why a commentary track was included on the original "Ace Ventura" but not on this stylish sequel.
THE YOLK'S ON YOU: You must be joking. Warner Bros. wasn't in the habit of hiding material on the majority of their early releases. You're more likely to stay cool on a stakeout while concealing yourself in a fake rhinoceros than you are of finding hidden easter eggs on this one.
THE LEWD AND NUDE ALERT: Well, the "Virgin Dance of Seduction" is a nice moment involving the Princess (Sophie Okonedo) but that's about it for this film. Ace is lucky enough to see the Princess' breasts, unfortunately the viewer isn't.
THE GORE REPORT: You could squeeze more blood from a stone than you can from this movie.
SAY AGAIN: "Duh, nobody wants to play with me." - Ace Ventura (Jim Carrey)
THE FINAL SAY: Yes, I recommend buying this DVD. Everybody needs a good laugh from time to time and you'll find plenty of them here. From the bemused chuckling variety to the grand belly laugh variety, this film will keep you in stitches from start to finish.
PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM: "Lion Sleeps Tonight" Performed By Michael Ian Elias. "Blur the Technicolor" Performed By White Zombie. "Spirits in the Material World" Performed By Pato Banton and Sting. "Secret Agent Man" Performed By Blues Traveler. "Boll Weevil" Performed By the Presidents of the United States. "Ife" Performed By Angelique Kidjo. Soundtrack Available on MCA Compact Discs and Cassettes. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 04, 2005 | | Summary | When Nature Calls... | Content
| Jim Carrey does not disappoint in his sequel to Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. The character is well done and has new quirks so as not to be redundant. Very funny for all ages. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 01, 2005 | | Summary | One of the funniest movies I have ever seen!!! | Content
| This movie is SO funny.Ace Ventura:When nature call. Is so funny it felt like my ribs were being pulled out of my body.This is a must see.
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| Rating | | | Date | March 31, 2005 | | Summary | Very good!!!!! | Content
| Most comedys that i watch are trying to be funny and do not make me laugh, this one did!
This film may be old but its still good, i have heard people say that ace ventura when nature calls is a kids movie, but its not, it is suitable for everyone, this movie has almost everything (apart from gore and sex!) it has comedy, action, violence.
The best part is when ace leaves the temple and there is a guy running around in his underwear!
It is a good film, but it is a shame that there is no special features(apart from subtitles but that doesn't count) and that it is in such a cheap box, but atleast the film is on dvd! |
| Rating | | | Date | February 08, 2005 | | Summary | A highly successful sequel | Content
| Jim Carrey was a huge success with his first starring film,ACE VENTURA:PET DETECTIVE,in 1994. The VHS video became priced to own in the fall of 1994 and a year later came a sequel,this film. This time Ace is searching for lost pets in the wilderness. Like the first film,it became priced to own(on VHS) in the spring of 1996. Why there were no subsequent sequels,nobody knows. Carrey probably decided not to continue playing the character that drove him to superstardom. Carrey's subsequent megahits include 1997's LIAR LIAR and 2003's BRUCE ALMIGHTY. Between the two Ace Ventura films,Carrey had another megahit,DUMB AND DUMBER. Carrey was naturally perfect for that film. |
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