For all of Carrey's wacky antics and the, at times, overbearingly silly tone of the piece, there's actually a really dark, surprisingly layered mystery running through 'Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)'. This isn't all that unusual for films starring the eccentric but sometimes unsettling star, though, as he tends to pick projects with somewhat of an underlayer to them. It is actually this rather accomplished piece of storytelling that cements the flick as one much better (despite some problematic moments later on) than the 'stupid, vulgar comedy' some critics have 'relegated' it to being. That said, the flick still is funny and the laughs are the primary focus, though here they aren't quite as intense or as cohesive with the concept as in some of Carrey's other work. We're asked to root for, and tolerate, an undeniably over-the-top and abrasive main character, and that can be difficult at times. It's certainly not impossible, however, and the flick is usually a good time throughout with plenty of laughs and a decent plot, to boot. 7/10