The episode argues that Ace Ventura works as an absurd, high-risk Jim Carrey showcase that defined a specific 1994 comedy moment. The hosts praise Carrey's physical commitment, the movie's rewatchable small jokes, and the fact that it helped launch a wave of star-driven comedy vehicles, while also acknowledging that its trans material, homophobic humor, and some big gags have aged poorly.
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01Jim Carrey's all-out physical performance is treated as the core rewatchable engine. About 8 min
02The small throwaway jokes and facial expressions are considered funnier than the big set pieces. About 32 min
03The movie packs unusually good plot hooks for a broad comedy, including the pet detective premise and the Finkle/Einhorn twist. About 40 min
04Several set pieces are singled out as highly rewatchable, especially the apartment pets reveal, the dolphin tank sequence, and the police station heckling. About 40 min
WHAT DID NOT WORK
Their main criticisms
majorThe trans reveal and related homophobic material are openly acknowledged as badly aged. About 1:12
moderateSome of the larger jokes are described as flat or unfunny compared with the smaller bits. About 1:12
moderateMelissa Robinson is seen by one host as bland and underwritten. About 1:28
moderateThe ending and resolution are viewed as weak relative to the strong premise. About 56 min
SCENES THEY KEPT COMING BACK TO
Standout moments
Favorite
Package-kicking opening
Ace methodically kicks the delivery package as part of the dog-swap setup.
About 8 min Favorite
Ace's apartment pets reveal
The hidden menagerie emerges from Ace's apartment, including raccoons, penguins, an otter, and more.
About 40 min Favorite
Dolphin tank / German trainer bit
Ace investigates the empty tank and performs the German-trainer bit while pretending to be a dolphin expert.
About 40 min Favorite
Police station heckling
Ace taunts the cops with increasingly absurd insults and nonsense vocal bits.
About 48 min Favorite
Mansion party
Ace's visit to Ronald Camp's mansion, including the food bit and social awkwardness, is singled out as a top scene.
About 56 min positive
Ray Finkle house visit
The Finkle home investigation and mother interaction produce one of the movie's best comic turns.
About 48 min positive
Shady Acres break-in
Ace's backwards-running infiltration and bizarre delivery at the asylum are admired for physical precision.
About 56 min mixed
Final warehouse reveal
Einhorn's reveal and the climax are memorable but also part of the movie's most dated material.
About 1:12
WHERE THEY DISAGREED
The biggest debates
They partly agreed About 1:44
Which Carrey performance or film is best in 1994
Bill Simmons
Ace Ventura is the movie that launched the year and may be his most important 1994 comic turn.
Zach Lowe
He prefers Dumb and Dumber over Ace Ventura and ranks The Mask behind both.
They left it as a friendly argument About 32 min
Courteney Cox vs Jennifer Aniston in the star hierarchy
Bill Simmons
Cox has a stretch in this movie where she can be hotter and more scene-dominant than Aniston.
Zach Lowe
Aniston is more accessible and the bigger breakout to him, while Cox is less accessible.
They partly agreed About 48 min
Whether the movie's biggest jokes work
Bill Simmons
Many of the set-piece jokes miss; the tiny facial expressions are the real comedy.
Craig Horlbeck
The big jokes are often not funny, but the movie still works through Carrey's presence.
No final agreement About 1:44
Tom Cruise versus Tom Hanks as a hypothetical Ace Ventura
Bill Simmons
Tom Hanks is the better fit.
Craig Horlbeck
Tom Cruise has the darker smugness and physicality needed.
They partly agreed About 1:36
How much of the movie's humor is lost on younger viewers
Bill Simmons
Some references age as Easter eggs and still help place the film in its era.
Craig Horlbeck
Many references were already opaque to him when younger, but the movie still worked.
13 People discussedActors, directors, writers, and producers
