‘Strays’ Review – Rabidly Raunchy And Ferociously Funny

Logline: They say a dog is a man’s best friend, but what if the man is a total dirtbag? In that case, it might be time for some sweet revenge, doggy style.

In case you didn’t know, there is most definitely someone out there for you. Whether it’s romantic or platonic love, there is someone or multiple someone’s who will care for and respect you the way you deserve. Finding your pack isn’t always easy, in fact, on many occasions, it happens by chance. However, when they come into your life, put in the effort to keep them around and show them the same love that you want to receive. Like a garden, it takes work to maintain a flourishing relationship. Even if that bond doesn’t hold forever, if nothing else, you learned and matured from it.

“I’m gonna bite his dick off.”

What do you get when you mix cute dogs, an unlikely journey, beer, magic mushrooms, a bowl full of f-bombs, and a terrible pet owner whose penis is unknowingly in peril? You get a version of Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey birthed by SouthPark and raised by Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen. Minus the cat of course. Directed by Josh Greenbaum, Strays is rabidly raunchy and ferociously funny. When you hear the word “fuck” multiple times within the first few minutes of a comedy, said in the kind and innocent tone of a Border Terrier whose owner chooses to play with his dong over his dog, you know that you’re in for a wild ride. That said, If what you’ve read so far or the posters didn’t make it clear enough, this movie is not for kids.

This animal-led adventure features four foul-mouthed furballs on a mission of revenge. Driven by the disdain for terrible human owners and the thrill of doing what they want, this newly formed pack will grow in more ways than one. And yes, I meant that the way it sounds. Revolving around the ever-optimistic, Reggie (Will Ferrell) who is having trouble and flat-out denying his new station in life as a stray, he just wants to feel loved and a place to call home. More than anything, he wants to be regarded as a good boy. The laughs are abundant, the heart is in heaps, and the jokes are dirtier than a humped and buried squeaky toy. As it subverts traditional dog films by leaning hard into its hilariously fun filth, Strays makes it fun to laugh again. It’s wild, it’s absurd, and it’s a damn good time. If you’re not down for a barrage of humping and dick jokes, this may not be the movie for you.

“PFFs forever!”

Part of what really makes this movie shine, besides the extremely humorous voice acting, is the attentiveness to the pupper point of view. From how they may perceive what we do and enjoy on a daily basis to how they possibly feel about fireworks and mailmen, the realizations are outrageous and sidesplitting. More seriously, this story is about admitting to and resolving past trauma, perseverance, self-worth, and friendship. Like most journeys, Reggie, Bug, Maddie, and Hunter will discover unknown things about each other, risk their lives for one another, and piss each other off. Moreover, it’s almost just as heartwarming as it is hysterical. The film harbors a great soundtrack, a jaunty score, cinematography that mirrors some iconic shots, an amazing cast, and phenomenal dog training. This R-rated comedy is perfect for a group of friends and nothing short of a fantastic time. Its rewatchability is high. Oh, and there is a mid-credits scene.

Pacing & Pop

Like a dog chasing its tail, this film moves at a brisk and steady pace while still delivering a decently detailed story. I touched on this above, but what popped for me was the full commitment to the canine perspective. It’s not simply giving man’s best friend a voice for comedic purposes but diving into what we assume their psyche is like. Oh, and also the film’s climax really popped as Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus plays. That’s all I’ll say about that, but it’s too funny. I almost forgot about the completely outrageous doggy jail scene. You’ll just have to watch it for yourself.

Characters & Chemistry

Starring: Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher, Randall Park, Brett Gelman and Will Forte, Josh Gad, Harvey Guillén, Rob Riggle, Jamie Demetriou and Sofia Vergara

Led by Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx, this cast is one of the funniest of the year. The innocent and naive nature of Ferrell’s Reggie aka Shitbag paired with the rebellious, horny, and carefree yet guarded personality of Foxx’s Bug is a perfect match. From timing to delivery, these two legends showcase why they are so revered and have fun doing it. Accompanied by Isla Fisher and Randall Park, it is easy to see why this film works as well as it does. I only want to see animal films that are rated R. And if this is your first time experiencing Will Forte, you’re definitely going to hate him as he transforms into a complete scumbag. He does a fantastic job.

Strays releases in theaters on August 18, 2023. Remain safe and love your pets.

Rated: R

Runtime: 1h 33m

Director: Josh Greenbaum

Writer: Dan Perrault

Producers: Phil Lord p.g.a., Christopher Miller p.g.a., Erik Feig p.g.a., Aditya Sood p.g.a., Louis Leterrier, Dan Perrault

Executive Producers: Nikki Baida, Doug Merrifield, Jessica Switch, Julia Hammer

Director of Photography: Tim Orr

Editors: David Rennie, ace, Sabrina Plisco, ace, Greg Hayden, ace

Head Animal Trainer: Mark Forbes

Score: Dara Taylor