An abandoned dog teams up with other strays to get revenge on his former owner.
The story kicks off when Reggie, an optimistic border terrier (voiced by Ferrell), finds himself abandoned by his slovenly owner Doug (Will Forte) far from home. Enter Bug, a foul-mouthed Boston terrier (voiced by Foxx), who quickly befriends Reggie and declares him a stray. However, Reggie remains steadfast in his belief that Doug is merely playing a game, holding onto the hope of returning to his owner with his beloved tennis ball. But Doug's mistreatment and cruelty know no bounds, culminating in Reggie being dumped on the city streets after a three-hour drive.
Reggie and Bug's unlikely alliance is joined by Maggie, an Australian shepherd (Fisher), who falls into obscurity when her influencer owner acquires a new puppy, and Hunter, a Great Dane (Park), formerly a police dog turned emotional support animal for hospice residents. Together, this motley crew embarks on an epic journey to reunite Reggie with Doug.
At a brisk 93 minutes, Strays occasionally succumbs to padding, and not every comedic piece hits the mark. The film goes all-in on adult humour, with four-letter words thrown around like tennis balls, and numerous gags revolving around canine anatomy and inanimate object relationships. The segment involving mushrooms takes an unexpectedly dark turn, catching the audience off guard.
Despite its raunchiness, the animal performances shine, with commendable puppet work and reasonably convincing visual effects that make the dogs speak. Strays manages to be both vulgar and touching, carving a unique niche in the dog movie genre. The blend of real dogs and special effects creates a visually stunning world where talking canines rule the streets. It's not pure CGI, and the result is a testament to the filmmakers' dedication to realism.
Tonally, Strays aligns with the crassness of films like Sausage Party and the profanity-laden humour of Ted. While some comedic beats land effectively, others grow repetitive and tiresome as the film progresses. Bug's incessant profanity-laced tirades wear thin, and the recurring joke about Hunter's anatomy loses its initial charm.
However, the film's fearless approach to pushing the boundaries of good taste keeps the audience engaged. The misfit pack of dogs, despite their frat boy humour, delivers moments of charm and carries a strong message about the value of treating dogs with kindness. Strays draws inspiration from various dog movies, blending elements of adventure, revenge, and tragic backstories from classics like Homeward Bound, The Secret Life of Pets, and even the DC League of Super Pets.
Strays explores the trauma of these canine characters, delving into their human-related issues and their evolving desires during their limited time on Earth. It adds depth to the otherwise raucous comedy.
The film opens with Reggie's optimistic narration, showcasing his unwavering faith in Doug, despite his inability to comprehend his owner's true intentions. Reggie's journey is at the core of the film, and his character development offers a satisfying emotional resolution by the end.
One cannot ignore the persistent theme of penises in Strays, as they feature prominently in the dialogue and humour. Hunter boasts a massive one, Doug's obsession with his own is a recurring gag, and various characters engage in humping escapades. Despite the film's reliance on its one-joke premise, it manages to elicit genuine laughter at times. Dan Perrault's screenplay might have worked better as a shorter sketch, as the feature-length format occasionally stretches the concept thin. Still, the film sprinkles clever observations about life from a dog's innocent perspective.
Among the voice cast, Isla Fisher's portrayal of Maggie stands out, as she fully embraces her pup's mannered-yet-obnoxious antics, delivering some of the film's funniest moments.
Strays is not your typical dog movie. It's unapologetically crude and raunchy, offering a unique take on the bond between humans and their four-legged companions. While some of the humour may go too far for some viewers, the film's commitment to pushing the envelope makes it a memorable, if unconventional, addition to the genre. So, if you're ready for a wild and barking-mad adventure with a group of potty-mouthed pups, Strays might just be the comedy you never knew you needed.
Strays is in cinemas from August 17, 2023