Ace Ventura: Pet Detective 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 17, 2025

Imagine being Jim Carrey in 1993. After struggling in the entertainment industry for so long, dealing with box office bombs and bit parts, Carrey found his footing after being hired for the sketch comedy show, “In Living Color.” While part of an ensemble, the actor was allowed to use his imagination and generate a string a memorable characters, receiving a chance to get crazy on network television. Visibility increased for Carrey, landing him the starring role in 1994’s “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” essentially bringing “In Living Color”-style energy to the big screen. Warner Brothers didn’t have much faith in the picture, but the movie ended up at the top of the box office chart (an achievement repeated three more times), finding an audience finally ready for the Jim Carrey Experience, with the year also delivering monster hits in “The Mask” and “Dumb and Dumber.” Everything changed for the star, and it all began with a berserk comedy about a pet detective and his quest to find a missing dolphin in Miami.

The Miami Dolphins are headed to the Super Bowl, but their star attraction, a trained dolphin named Snowflake, has been kidnapped. Publicist Melissa (Courtney Cox) is tasked with keeping a tight lid on the situation when the police are of no help, turning to the service of Ace Ventura (Jim Carrey), a pet detective who’s determined and capable, and who also needs the money to get landlord Shickadance (Mark Margolin) off his back. Accepting the case, Ace goes into action, trying to find clues leading to Snowflake’s whereabouts, repeatedly running into the Miami P.D., which offers help from old pal Emilio (Tone Loc), and trouble with Lt. Einhorn (Sean Young), who hates Ace, refusing to accept his sleuthing genius. Recognizing evidence that leads him into the depths of NFL history, Ace tries every trick in the book to better understand the situation, leading him to focus on the welfare of quarterback Dan Marino (playing himself), and he grows closer to Melissa, though his tightest relationships remain with his animal friends, who need their protector.

One of the great joys of “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” isn’t found with animals or Carrey-led insanity. It’s provided in the opening of the feature, where Ace, posing as a UPS-style delivery driver, takes a package to its recipient, going undercover to handle one of his cases. Instead of merely identifying the ruse, Shadyac and Carrey turn this creation into a box-smashing monster, never missing a chance to absolutely destroy whatever is contained in the cardboard. It’s a wild introduction to the ways of Ace and his commitment to the bit, but also a completely accurate satire of the UPS experience, offering a knowing play on the business’s special disregard for package safety. It’s a sharp entrance into the picture, which is happy, downright delighted to play dumb, but isn’t quite a moronic as the title suggests.

The Snowflake case soon forms the plot of “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” putting the “pet dick” on the move as he searches for evidence tied to the dolphin-napping, as solving the mystery would be helpful to his struggling bank account. The screenplay (by Shadyac, Carrey, and Jack Bernstein) offers some understanding of Ace’s life, especially his battle with Shickadance, who’s obsessed with catching his tenant hiding animals, which creates perhaps the key visual of the film. Storytelling is there, but “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” really is a showcase for Carrey’s antics, and Shadyac remains close to his star as he works through “Star Trek” impressions, executes a hilarious bit involving sunflower seeds, and, most famously, chats up buddy Emilio by talking with his butt cheeks. Juvenile? Indeed, but Carrey is such a force of nature in the picture, it’s difficult to resist his complete attention to extremity, even when it slides a bit out of control at times.

Melissa is meant to act as a human handling Ace’s alien ways, and the writing hopes to incorporate a touch of romance and animalistic sex to give the main character some dimension. It’s there, but never really clicks, as “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” is much better off in sleuthing mode, keeping up with the madman as he discovers a small stone from a football championship ring near the crime scene, battling NFL players and coaches to check their jewelry for missing gems. He also works to find evidence inside a billionaire’s mansion of surprises, which gives Carrey chances to spread his special comedy sauce, and there’s the mystery of Ray Finkle, sending Ace down a rocky road of mental illness and more undercover work, once again giving the star room to clown around.

For additional information and analysis, please read the 2013 and 2019 Blu-ray reviews.

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray

"Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" was previously issued on Blu-ray in 2013 (Warner Brothers) and 2019 (Sony Pictures), and now comes to UHD courtesy of Shout Factory, listed as a "New 4K transfer from the 35mm original camera negative." Detail certainly appears to enjoy an upgrade, providing a sharper look at frame details, getting into the fibrousness of costuming and textured skin particulars on human and furry animal characters. Living spaces are open for inspection, providing a good look at decorative additions. Exteriors maintain a pleasant depth, capturing the expanse of a few locations and the bigness of football stadium visits. Color is the question mark here, finding the visual presentation a bit flat with a production that works with the vividness of Miami and NFL hues, along with animal displays. The image seems drained of some intensity, gently muting primaries and skin tones. The Blu-ray included on this release does a little better with color, getting closer to the intended look of the endeavor. Blacks are acceptably deep in the brightly lit effort, and highlights are tasteful. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA track provides a clear understanding of dialogue exchanges, maintaining intelligibility with Jim Carrey's boisterous acting, which occasionally hits the limits of the recording equipment. Scoring is simple and supportive, with sharp instrumentation, including plenty of guitar stings and horns. Soundtrack selections maintain crisp vocals. Surrounds aren't incredibly active, working with musical moods and mild atmospherics. Low-end maintains some presence with heavier beats.

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Tom Shadyac.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:04, SD) is included.

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Not everything works in "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective," and there are certainly elements to the picture that play differently today than they did 31 years ago, and even that's open for debate. Shadyac doesn't make a mean-spirited picture, or at least doesn't intend to, putting his faith in the power of Carrey, who's on a quest to milk every moment in the feature, working with his whole body to generate a berserk comedic experience. Sure, there's a mystery to be solved, and the writing attempts to make something out of it, but "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" is mostly about Jim Carrey, his unique screen presence, and once-mighty enthusiasm for complete silliness, which finds a proper showcase in this enjoyably broad film.