Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995)

In *Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995)*, the zany pet detective, Ace Ventura, is pulled from his self-imposed exile in a Tibetan ashram to embark on a wild adventure in Africa. He's tasked with a seemingly impossible mission: to locate the missing sacred animal, Shikaka, for the Wachati tribe. This sets the stage for a comical race against time, as Ace navigates the unpredictable jungle, encounters bizarre wildlife, and clashes with the menacing Wachootoo tribe. His success is crucial, as failure to find Shikaka will trigger a tribal war, jeopardizing the upcoming marriage of the Wachati princess. This film undeniably earns its place on a "Best Steve Oedekerk Movies" list due to his writing. Oedekerk, known for his unique blend of slapstick and absurdist humor, delivers a script that perfectly caters to the over-the-top physicality of Jim Carrey. His contributions are evident in the film's memorable gags, quotable lines, and the overall absurd premise, which is what makes this film so beloved. Oedekerk's ability to push the boundaries of comedy and craft a story that leans into its own silliness, are the defining characteristics of a film starring Ace Ventura, and were all written by Oedekerk.