Ace Ventura, Pet Detective — Miami Goes Full Retard

Miami has long been a popular filming location, but in 1994 it became something more: the launchpad for Jim Carrey’s rise to full-blown movie stardom. At the time, Carrey was fresh off In Living Color and still searching for that one role that would push him into the mainstream. Critics weren’t exactly kind, but audiences didn’t care. Ace Ventura, Pet Detective became a runaway hit, and Miami was baked directly into its DNA.

Ace Ventura is an eccentric private detective who specializes in recovering lost or stolen pets. He’s brilliant at what he does, even if the police treat him like a joke. Ace understands animals far better than people, keeps a small zoo hidden in his apartment, and survives largely by outwitting authority figures who underestimate him. When an exotic bird case is interrupted by something much bigger, Ace suddenly finds himself at the center of South Florida’s most pressing crisis.

This is where South Florida truly takes center stage. With the Miami Dolphins preparing for the Super Bowl, their beloved mascot Snowflake is kidnapped straight from his tank. Team owner Mr. Riddle panics, convinced superstition will doom the season. In desperation, Dolphins PR head Melissa Robinson (Courteney Cox) and operations chief Roger Podacter turn to Ace.

The investigation leads Ace through familiar local territory, with clear shots of Joe Robbie Stadium, Dolphins practice fields, and recognizable Miami surroundings. The film leans heavily into football lore, superstition, and local pride, especially with appearances by real Dolphins players and legendary coach Don Shula.

Dan Marino, Revenge, and Miami Mythmaking

The plot hinges on a twisted revenge fantasy tied to a fictionalized Dolphins Super Bowl loss and a disgraced former player seeking payback against Dan Marino, who plays himself. Ace spends much of the film tracking down members of the 1984–85 team, inspecting championship rings and chasing clues across Miami. The storyline blends real sports history with outrageous fiction, turning Miami football trauma into slapstick comedy.

Unlike many films that merely pass through South Florida, Ace Ventura uses Miami as a personality trait. The sunshine, the Dolphins, the Seaquarium, and the city’s over-the-top reputation all feed into the humor. Snowflake the Dolphin, played by a real Miami Seaquarium resident, becomes as iconic as any human character. Miami isn’t subtle here—but subtlety was never the goal.

Jim Carrey Unleashed

Carrey’s performance is pure controlled chaos, leaning heavily on the facial contortions, voices, and physical comedy that made him famous on television. Shades of Fire Marshal Bill are everywhere. While undeniably juvenile, the commitment is total. Scenes like Ace’s undercover dog rescue, his investigation of the dolphin tank, and his humiliating takedown of skeptical cops showcase Carrey at full throttle.

A Goofy Classic That Knows Exactly What It Is

This isn’t high art, and it never pretends to be. Ace Ventura, Pet Detective is loud, silly, and proudly ridiculous—but it works because it understands its mission. For fans of Jim Carrey, football folklore, or Miami’s larger-than-life image, it remains an essential snapshot of 1990s pop culture.

Editor’s Note: Originally published on April 05, 2009, this article was updated in 2026 for clarity while preserving Jamie B’s original voice and perspective on Miami culture.

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