He's one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood, one whose career has weathered
such box-office storms as The Majestic and The Number 23 to amass
over $3 billion in receipts -- and with his latest release, Yes Man,
bowing this weekend, we decided there was no time like the present to take a
look at the best-reviewed films of Jim Carrey's career.
He earned his first real success by tapping into America's unquenchable thirst
for broad slapstick comedy, but Carrey always had bigger ambitions than anyone
could have guessed by watching Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and he's
proved it repeatedly by choosing projects beyond the scope of Farrelly-friendly
laffers. His reach has occasionally exceeded his grasp, but few careers can
boast a range extending from Dumb and Dumber to Eternal Sunshine of
the Spotless Mind -- and on that note, let's take a look at Jim Carrey's 10
most critic-friendly films!
Sea Bass! Part of Carrey's 1994 trilogy of broad-as-a-barn, occasionally
revolting comedies, Dumb and Dumber paired the rising star with Jeff
Daniels as a pair of well-meaning dimwits who stumble into a cross-country
adventure involving Lauren Holly and a briefcase full of cash. While not quite
the across-the-board smash that There's Something About Mary turned out
to be a few years later, Dumb and Dumber still managed to include
enough charm between the goofy jokes to reach 60 percent on the Tomatometer.
It didn't win any points for smarts, obviously, but that was beside the point
-- as recognized by writers such as Entertainment Weekly's Owen Gleiberman,
who noted that "Carrey...does literal-minded doofdom with peerless
enthusiasm."
You might be surprised to find this late-night cable mainstay on a list that
includes cult favorites like The Cable Guy and box-office champs like Bruce
Almighty, but the Tomatometer does not lie, and critics cheered loudly
enough to send this 1989 cult classic all the way up to 61 percent. Although
quite a few scribes sniffed at at Earth Girls are Easy's low ambitions
and thick layer of cheese, a greater number were able to grin and bear Julien
Temple's brightly colored send-up of hokey sci-fi and '80s life in the San
Fernando Valley. As a furry red alien named Wiploc, Carrey received one of his
first major chunks of screen time here, and although his efforts were rewarded
with minimal box-office success, he did get to trade lines with Geena Davis
and Julie Brown -- and help earn some delightfully backhanded praise from the
likes of Luke Y. Thompson of the New Times, who declared the film to be
"stupid but wonderful."
Here is the proof that critics don't understand Jim Carrey. I'ma Carrey fan since the age of 4, and is all-time masterpiece is Ace Ventura. S
ure, Truman Show is awesome (never seen Eternal Sunshine. I will one day. I also plan to see Dumb and Dumber and Cable Guy. But I lack the time to go rent them!) but Ace Ventura is the true Jim Carrey at his best. Sure, it's not subtle, it is ridiculous and pretty obscene at time, but name me one character, just ONE, that is more wild and larger-than-life than Ace Ventura.
Jim Carrey was my generation's Jerry Lewis. But critics never understood that.
I happy to see some love for Count Olaf tough. The movie wasn't as good as it could have been, but Carrey was stellar.
I must also say is turn as The Riddler wasn't that bad. Certainly better than Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face.
You really can't say you're a fan of Jim Carrey if you haven't seen Eternal Sunshine or Dumb and Dumber. Also, you're asking what character is more larger-than-life than Ace Venture? Being more larger-than-life simply means that you're more larger-than-life, not that the movie is better.
So, you're telling me you haven't seen some of Carrey's most successful movies, and you're already claiming "Ace Ventura" is his "masterpiece"? "Dumb and Dumber" is much better than "Ace Ventura."
Also, films like "Truman Show" and "Eternal Sunshine" helped bring Carrey's sincere acting skills to the forefront. Both are two of the best romantic comedies I've ever seen, and the sci-fi aspect of "Eternal Sunshine" is really great.
I would have to say "Eternal Sunshine" is my favorite Carrey film.
I don't think Dumb and Dumber is better than Ace Ventura. I saw some twenty minutes and frankly, it did not vowed me that much. Man, I considered Ace like a friggin' role model at age 5, so yes, Ace Ventura is his masterpiece, In My Opinion.
Carrey was totally heart-renching in Eternal Sunshine. You saw a completely different side to him that ever before, without being overdone.
Not to mention E.S. is one of my favorite films of all time and for someone to take a chance on someone as usually comical as Carrey, says a lot about Charlie Kauffman.
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When my mom and I watched Liar Liar for the first time, I saw her laugh so hysterically that it almost scared me!
I've never realized how much I've grown up watching Jim Carrey's movies. As a kid, I had such a great time watching him in The Mask. As a teen I learned to appreciate the meaning behind The Truman Show. Finally as a young adult I sympathized with him in Eternal Sunshine on such a personal level that it really moved me. I hope Carrey will continue taking good serious roles like Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine, but I wouldn't mind a laugh or two from him either (as long as its tasteful).
First off Collex, dont come onto a comment board and make yourself sound like a ignorant person. if you havent seen the majority of a person's movies dont bash on reviewers or people that have. You dont really have room to critisize anyones opinion when from how it looks you have only seen 2 of his movies. Ace Ventura was really funny but these guys are looking at a success/good acting best, and in that category ace ventura is near the bottom in my opinion. Eternal was easily his best movie, he showed the most range and put in a terrific performance. Number 23 was awful but hats off to him for trying something new, cant help that the writing and directing were awful.
What??? I didn't insult everybody Who are you to tell me I'm ignorant??? I said I haven't seen 3, mind that 3 movies of a guy who made at least 20 movies. Sure, they may be it's Greatest according to people who thinks they know the absolute truth, like you, but it's still my opinion. I don't hate critics, but when it comes to Jim Carrey, is humor style seems to be to "common" for them to appreciate.
I saw Ace Ventura when I was 4 or 5. It's the best Carrey movie I've ever seen and I doubt I will ever see a better one soon. I don't care about "acting" abilities in his case. I want to see the Jim Carrey who made me laugh at 5. Call it childhood bias, but you must respect a man's childhood.
P.S. DOn't want to sound rude, but I don't take your comment of me being ignorant very well. I consider myself a very knowledgeable person, especially when it comes to movie. It's not for nothing my friends call me IMDB. I'm sorry if you didn't mean to insult me, but this is what it felt like.
Sorry, I must add something: For your info Evan, here are the Carrey Movie I've seen:
Ace Ventura 1-2
The Mask
Truman Show
Man on the Moon
Simon Birch (cameo at the end)
Liar Liar
Fun with Dick and Jack
A Series of unfortunate events
Batman Forever
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Me, Myself and Irene
Last night, I watched 'Sunrise' for the first time. It's the only Murnau film I've seen so far, but it is definitely his BEST!
Cameron Diaz has never looked half as good in ANY movie as she did the first time she came out of the rain in "The Mask".
Where the hell is 'Rubberface'? That film is a perfect example of... aw, who'm I kidding? That 'film' is just terrible. 'Once Bitten' isn't too bad, though.
However, it does take this ENTIRE 10 movie list to make up for "The Number 23". Oh, I'm getting Hulk-rage just thinking about that pile...
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I really enjoy Liar, Liar. That movie is just so hilarious, if only because Carrey is toned down and not allowed to make a complete *** of himself. Nice list that I've actually seen about 6 of the movies from.
Where's the love for Me, myself and Irene...Release your inner Hank and Stick it up your own ***!
"Oh she'll be eating blubber alright, just as soon as I free Willy."
The only problem I have with this list is the inclusion of Peggy Sue Got Married. He's only in that for like 5 minutes.
Now I know I'll get some flack for this, but I actually loved the Cable Guy. It was great to see him make a dark comedy. An underrated movie IMHO.
Very true, but I must admit that Eternal Sunshine is definately his best work (along with Truman and Man From The Moon) becaude it really shows therange of his acting skills. And it's always nice to see someone coming out of his niche and trying something new and different. However I think his new movie is going to suck, after the trailer I see nothing interesting about it. He's got some serious problems with choosing good parts recently.
YES! Cable Guy was his finest moment i thought. It's one of those instances when you just can't understand why people don't agree with you. i thought it was indisputably hilarious.
Yay, finally I have found someone else who thinks Cable Guy was his greatest. THis list is BS. How could you include 2 movies he is barely in, and forget Cable Guy and Ace Ventura. AV is his defining movie I would say, although his recent hits with Liar Liar and Bruce Almighty are much more standard. Movies like Truman Show, Eternal Sunshine, 23, anyone of a thousand actors could have done. No one else could have done Ace Ventura or the Cable Guy, Dumb and Dumber, The Mask. This list is BS
Cable guy, ace ventura (first one only) and dumb & dumber, by far his best. eternal sunshine? i found his performance sort of self-conscious (great film though). the part where he's running at mathew broderick in cable guy, swinging a ball & chain singing the star trek battle theme was gold. broderick is underwhelming as usual.
BTW, did anyone see him on Letterman last night (australia's last night). gold -
Funny that my favorite movie that Jim Carrey was in was THE MAJESTIC. I used to work at several movie theaters and that era of films portrayed in the movie was one of my favorites. It has a place in my heart. 'Sunshine' 'Truman are my other top two. I would have loved to have seen a sequel to Truman with him adjusting to the real world and finding his birth parents.
Yeah I'd have to say I've enjoyed every one of his movies, although Cable Guy was a huge disappointment overall. I like "dark" comedy but that was something else all together. The best part of Liar Liar was during the outtakes - "It's a goose!" still brings a smile to my face just thinking about it
Dumb and Dumber #10? phew, done reading all ready. that was fast. thats probably top 3, easily. its a list and lists are dumb as it is. all i have to say is he's vastly underrated and my biggest compliment to an actor is this: if i can't see YOU...i see your role...you're a great actor. in Man On The Moon i saw andy kaufman...not jim carey. it was an unbelieveable performance that nobody really thought a guy like him could deliver. i heard he's a jerk in person(never met him) but dude has skills...
Wow i would thought that the MAJESTIC would be on that list, but i guess it isnt as well reviewed by critics as those other movies.
But yea i loved THE MAJESTIC, and also LIAR LIAR, DUMB AND DUMBER, TRUMAN SHOW, MAN ON THE MOON, THE MASK, ACE VENTURA 1 and 2, HORTON. I liked all his other movies too--but not like the ones that i just mentioned, but i hated NUMBER 23, horrible movie.
collex on 12-17-2008 05:05 PM
Here is the proof that critics don't understand Jim Carrey. I'ma Carrey fan since the age of 4, and is all-time masterpiece is Ace Ventura. S
ure, Truman Show is awesome (never seen Eternal Sunshine. I will one day. I also plan to see Dumb and Dumber and Cable Guy. But I lack the time to go rent them!) but Ace Ventura is the true Jim Carrey at his best. Sure, it's not subtle, it is ridiculous and pretty obscene at time, but name me one character, just ONE, that is more wild and larger-than-life than Ace Ventura.
Jim Carrey was my generation's Jerry Lewis. But critics never understood that.
I happy to see some love for Count Olaf tough. The movie wasn't as good as it could have been, but Carrey was stellar.
I must also say is turn as The Riddler wasn't that bad. Certainly better than Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face.
mr_director on 12-19-2008 08:17 AM
You really can't say you're a fan of Jim Carrey if you haven't seen Eternal Sunshine or Dumb and Dumber. Also, you're asking what character is more larger-than-life than Ace Venture? Being more larger-than-life simply means that you're more larger-than-life, not that the movie is better.
Dan P. on 11-4-2009 02:25 PM
You have to see The Cable Guy. It is definitely my favorite Jim Carry movie.