strays (2023) Comedy Movie Review
Let me break it down for you: I knew I'd be an easy audience for "Strays" because I'm a big fan of Boston Terriers. I've often wondered what our dogs would say if they could talk. So, the idea of an R-rated comedy with Jamie Foxx voicing a street-smart Boston Terrier named Bug, who does some wild things, got me excited.
"Strays" is mainly built around one joke, a fun way to wrap up the summer. It's quick and enjoyable, finding different angles to explore that one joke. The movie cleverly messes with the usual heartwarming dog adventure clichés, and the voice cast, especially the chemistry between Jamie Foxx and Will Ferrell, adds to the fun. They actually recorded their parts together, which is unusual.
%20Comedy%20Movie.jpg "strays (2023) Comedy Movie")
The director, Josh Greenbaum, has a talent for mixing quirky comedy with a heartfelt side, as seen in "Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar." He brings the same balance to the more explicit content in "Strays." The movie has a lot of swearing and crude jokes, including poop and pee humor, wild humping scenes, and some crazy stuff in the wilderness. But amidst all that, it also tackles serious themes like getting out of toxic relationships, finding self-worth, and cherishing unexpected friendships.
I even got a bit emotional a few times, but hey, I'm a softy. Whether you'll enjoy this doggy adventure depends on your taste.
Let's dive into "Strays," kicking off with Ferrell's cheerful narration as Reggie, a cute Border terrier blissfully unaware that his owner is downright mean. Reggie's day starts with high hopes, but here's the twist: his mission is to take revenge on his owner in a more intense way than Barbie ever dreamed of challenging the norm. Ferrell's performance, a mix of his "Elf" character's excitement and deadpan humor, adds to the fun.
Once Reggie gets ditched in a distant city, he teams up with Bug, a street-smart dog with an attitude. Bug is all about the stray life and struts around like a tough guy, voiced with energetic profanity by Foxx. Reggie also gets assistance from Maggie, a skilled sniffer Australian shepherd, and Hunter, a Great Dane turned therapy dog.
As you might expect, there's a bunch of cursing and chaotic adventures, some of which you might have caught in the trailer. Thankfully, there are still surprises left. The special effects work well, making the dogs and their trainers look impressive. Although there are moments where the CGI, especially in Bug's facial expressions, gets a bit wonky.
While the gross-out humor might get a tad repetitive, "Strays" wraps up on a positive note without getting too cheesy. It offers amusing glimpses into how dogs see the world, from fireworks to postal workers. Who knows, it might make you rethink what that fancy-sweater-wearing Pomeranian is barking about at the dog park.