Ace Ventura - When Nature Calls (1995)
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A depressed animal detective is summoned to a fictional African country to recover a sacred bat before it sparks a tribal war.
The story
After failing to save a raccoon from falling to its death, private investigator Ace Ventura retreats to a monastery in Tibet. He is eventually persuaded by African explorer Fulton Greenwall to take on a new job in the fictional East African country of Nibia. Ace is tasked with recovering Shikaka, a sacred white bat belonging to the peaceful Wachati tribe. If the bat is not returned within days, the Wachati will go to war with their more savage rivals, the Wachootoo tribe. Despite his fear of bats, Ace arrives in Nibia to investigate the disappearance and navigate the complex tribal politics.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After failing to save a raccoon, Ace Ventura retreats to a monastery in Tibet until explorer Fulton Greenwall recruits him to find Shikaka, a sacred white bat in Nibia. The bat's return is necessary to prevent war between the Wachati and Wachootoo tribes. In Nibia, Ace meets the Wachati people, who are taught English by missionaries. While investigating, Ace is repeatedly shot with darts by an unseen hunter. He eventually discovers that the local consul, Vincent Cadby, stole the bat to provoke war and seize the guano market. After being arrested, Ace uses various animals to escape and attack Cadby's mansion. He eventually pursues Cadby in a monster truck, destroying his Rover. Meanwhile, Ace stops the two tribes from fighting by shouting Shikaka's name. It is revealed that Cadby is the 'White Devil' the tribes feared. The Wachati Princess marries the Wachootoo Prince, and peace is achieved as the tribes unite to pursue Ace.
- First release year
- 1995
- Runtime (minutes)
- 94
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Steve Oedekerk
- Writers
- Steve Oedekerk · writer
- Cast and characters
- Jim Carrey · Ace Ventura; Ian McNeice · Fulton Greenwall; Simon Callow · Vincent Cadby; Maynard Eziashi · Prince Ouda; Bob Gunton · Burton Quinn; Sophie Okonedo · the Wachati princess; Tommy Davidson · Tiny Warrior / Wachootoo prince; Adewalé · Hitu
- Genres
- detective comedy; mystery; comedy
- Themes
- Enlightenment; Peace; Animal Rescue
- Tone and mood
- Comedy; Absurdist
- Premise and plot tags
- Sequel; Animal Rescue; Comedy; Mystery
- Franchise connections
- Ace Ventura
- Reception
- The film was a major financial success, grossing $212.3 million worldwide against a $30 million budget, though it received mixed to negative critical reviews.
- Reported review scores
- CinemaScore · score: B+ · scale: A to F
- Awards and nominations
- ASCAP Award · Top Box Office Films · 1996 · Won; American Comedy Award · Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role) · 1996 · Nominated; Kid's Choice Awards · Favorite Movie · 1996 · Won; Kid's Choice Awards · Favorite Movie Actor · 1996 · Won; MTV Movie Awards · Best Male Performance · 1996 · Won; MTV Movie Awards · Best Comedic Performance · 1996 · Won; MTV Movie Awards · Best Kiss · 1996 · Nominated; Razzie Awards · Worst Remake or Sequel · 1996 · Nominated; Stinkers Bad Movie Awards · Worst Picture · 1996 · Nominated; Stinkers Bad Movie Awards · Worst Actor · 1996 · Nominated; Stinkers Bad Movie Awards · Most Painfully Unfunny Comedy · 1996 · Won; Stinkers Bad Movie Awards · Worst Sequel · 1996 · Won; Stinkers Bad Movie Awards · The Sequel Nobody Was Clamoring For · 1996 · Nominated
- Production trivia
- Jim Carrey was paid $10 million, a third of the entire budget, for his role.; Spike Jonze wanted to direct the film, but Carrey turned him down.; The film was shot in Super 35.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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