The Ace Ventura franchise consists of three uniquely different films - but which one is the best? In 1994, Jim Carrey delivered a breakthrough performance in the franchise starter, and capitalized upon the character's popularity by starring in a 1995 sequel that earned big bucks yet failed to impress critics. Fourteen years later, Morgan Creek Productions released a third and final film on the Cartoon Network, with the story following the adolescent son of Ace Ventura.

In retrospect, the Ace Ventura franchise will always be associated its original star, Carrey. Prior to the first film's release, Carrey was best known for portraying zany characters on the sketch comedy series In Living Color. He then brought his comedic skill set to Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and went all-in with exaggerated line deliveries, off-kilter comedic timing, and a flamboyant character persona. By the time Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls released, Carrey had transformed into a proper movie star due to roles in The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, and Batman Forever. When Ace Ventura Jr.: Pet Detective commenced production over a decade later, actor Josh Flitter had big shoes to fill, even if expectations were rather low.

Related: The Actors Who Almost Played Ace Ventura (Instead of Jim Carrey)

While Carrey is the definitive star of the Ace Ventura franchise, he's at his best when paired when capable supporting performers. In that sense, one particular franchise film stands out as the frontrunner. And even though the Ace Ventura films aren't necessarily known for sophisticated or highbrow comedy, all three productions do indeed have memorable laugh-out-loud moments that resonate with audiences. Here's our worst to first ranking of the Ace Ventura trilogy.

3. Ace Ventura Jr.: Pet Detective (2009)

Ace Ventura Jr.

Ace Ventura Jr.: Pet Detective references the two previous movies, but fails to capture the spirit of Carrey's powerhouse performances. The threequel centers on 12-year-old Ace Ventura Jr. (Fritter), who knows little about his pet detective father and tries to prevent his mother, Melissa Ventura (Ann Cusack), from going to jail after a panda theft. As Ace Jr. learns to be more comfortable with himself as a person, he learns more about his father's line of work and his dark fate. Ace Ventura Jr.: Pet Detective arguably hits the mark in terms of connecting with its targeted demographic of kids, butt a clunky script devalues the franchise as a whole.

Director David Mickey Evans and his three co-writers don't lay the appropriate groundwork for this follow-up story. There's no explanation about Ace's marriage to Melissa, which presumably would've happened not long after Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. In fact, it's not even clarified that Melissa is indeed the same character that Courtney Cox plays in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. It also seems strange that Ace Jr. wouldn't know anything about his father until age 12. Melissa claims that Ace Sr. disappeared somewhere over the Bermuda Triangle, and then Ace Sr.'s father Rex shows up after receiving a phone call from Melissa, and explains the family history to Ace Jr. During the first act, Rex says many of Ace Sr.'s catchphrases from the first two franchise films, but they function as fan service rather than purely comedic moments. By the final act, Ace Jr. receives a key to a chest that includes his father's clothes, and so the rest of the film involves the young boy adopting a more confident persona, with lukewarm comedic references to Carrey's iconic performances.

For a kids film, Ace Ventura Jr.: Pet Detective mostly gets the job done. Flitter does the best he can with the material, and doesn't really have any awkward acting moments. Similarly, co-star Emma Lockhart delivers a passable performance as Laura, Ace Jr.'s classmate and crush. There's value in a story about a young boy gaining confidence and embracing his father's line of work, but Ace Ventura Jr.: Pet Detective strays too far from the original storyline without connecting the narrative dots. Is Ace dead? If Melissa still has a good relationship with Rex, why doesn't Ace Jr. know more about his father? The filmmakers didn't need to go overboard with steady references to the first two franchise films, yet it's a bit of a downer to have Ace Sr.'s life story essentially dismissed in favor of a coming-of-age tale that ends with blatant references to the original pet detective. Ace Ventura Jr.: Pet Detective seems like it would've been more effective if the main character was an Ace Ventura fan, which would've allowed for more comedic risks. Instead, the film seems content to have low standards.

More: Why Critics Hated The Ace Ventura Movies

2. Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995)

Ace Ventura When Nature Calls Rhino Scene

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls has plenty of big comedic moments, but the film overreaches with its outdoors premise and morose opening act. The original film made a splash because of the overall tone and comedic timing; right from the start, it's clear that Carrey will carry the load. For the sequel, though, writer-director Steve Oedekerk (who was personally hand-picked by Carrey) has a raccoon death scene and Ace battling depression at a Tibetan monestary. So, while Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls subverts expectations, the overall comedic vibe feels off. Jokes from the original film are re-hashed, which means that Carrey works from a safe comedic zone rather than embracing innovation.

As for the main story, Ace leaves the monastery and heads off to Africa to find a "sacred animal." Given the pet detective's line of work, it seems that he may want to know exactly what he's looking for, but Oedekerk saves the reveal for a comedic moment when Ace learns that he needs to find a bat that excretes valuable "guano" (a.k.a. poop). The twist doesn't quite match the Ray Finkle reveal of the original film, and a subsequent "master of disguise" sequence feels relatively tame and uninspired - at least, aside from a moment when a fake rhino seemingly gives birth to an overheated Ace. Overall, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls seems to prioritize callbacks to the first film and over-the-top wildlife moments.

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls would have benefitted from a stronger supporting cast. The movie seems designed to spotlight Carrey as the true comedic genius of his era, but it suffers by not having someone who can bounce jokes off the main star, or at least steal a scene or two. Tommy Davidson, an original cast member from In Living Color, delivers a memorable performance as Tiny Warrior, yet he's almost unrecognizable and relies more on physical comedy than one-liners. In Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, performers like Courtney Cox, Sean Young, and Tone Loc hold their own throughout the film. Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls is indeed a re-watchable film, but it simply doesn't match the overall quality of its predecessor.

1. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

Jim Carrey in Ace Ventura Pet Detective

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective remains a '90s classic because of its originality, star power, and a strong script. Like so many top-notch comedies, the film begins with a memorable sequence that establishes the personality traits of the main protagonist. In this case, Ace's style stands out and immediately establishes his unique manner of speech and catchphrases right from the jump, and the story gets straight to the point: Ace must locate the Miami Dolphins' mascot, a a bottlenose dolphin named Snowflake.

More: Why Ace Ventura 3 Was Never Made

After Carrey sets the comedic tone with his one-liners and versatile expressions, Courtney Cox arrives as publicist Melissa Robinson and exudes genuine star power. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective released in February 1994, just seven months before Cox made her debut as Monica Geller on Friends. Opposite Carrey, Cox doesn't necessarily have any big comedic moments, but the pair's on-screen chemistry is evident. In fact, Cox seems to be genuinely entertained by Carrey, which makes her character both endearing and relatable. With that said, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective's Lois Einhorn subplot doesn't hold up well. In particular, the "Einhorn is a man" twist and the subsequent gay panic that literally makes Ace sick to his stomach is grotesquely transphobic and has aged very poorly.

Despite some obvious flaws, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective does indeed have a strong story. Each moment of situational comedy allows Carrey to shine while simultaneously moving the narrative forward. One particular sequence involving Ace tracking down owners of 1984 AFC Championship rings seems a bit silly and out of place, but it works because Carrey fully commits to the bit - he goes all in, and stays consistent with his character's antics. And whereas many comedies lose steam by the final act, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective gains momentum with its Ray Finkle reveal. There's a little something for everybody in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, whether it's the sports, the romance, or the pure comedy provided by Carrey. It's a must watch for the sole reason that it essentially launched the career of a true American movie star. Any conversation about Carrey's legacy must include Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.

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