In the raunchy talking-animals comedy “Strays,” there’s an early montage featuring four dogs engaging in explicit behavior, including humping lawn ornaments and planning to attack a man. While the sequence is poorly executed and filled with crude jokes and profanity, it’s hard to resist the charm of these adorable, scruffy-faced canines. Despite their CGI-rendered mouths and lack of eye contact, they truly deserve all the belly rubs and treats in the world. I couldn’t help but draw smiley faces in my notes while watching this scene.
But there’s more to “Strays” than just outrageous nonsense, especially for dog lovers. It deliberately follows a group of furry friends, which saves the film from being entirely nonsensical. Hollywood often produces absurd movies with flimsy premises, like “Cocaine Bear,” “Mafia Mamma,” and “65.” Compared to those mediocre offerings, a 93-minute film that combines obscene humor and gratuitous violence with a heartfelt message about the unconditional love of pets isn’t such a bad choice.
However, “Strays” could have been funnier and more clever. Despite being advertised as an “R-rated comedy with bite,” it’s rather tame. The story revolves around Reggie, a Border Terrier voiced by Will Ferrell, who is abandoned by his irresponsible owner, Doug (played by Will Forte). Reggie then meets Bug, a tough Boston Terrier voiced by Jamie Foxx, as well as Maggie, a smart Australian Shepherd voiced by Isla Fisher, and Hunter, a shy Great Dane voiced by Randall Park. This group teaches Reggie how to survive without human supervision and sets him on a journey to confront his abusive former owner.
Throughout their adventure, the four dogs engage in predictable misbehavior, drug-induced antics, and gross-out jokes, all while making endless dog-related puns. Some of the best jokes cleverly parody common tropes in dog movies, such as a cameo that satirizes “A Dog’s Purpose” and a scene reminiscent of “Homeward Bound” with a sentimental “narrator dog.” However, the humor falters when it relies on silly puns, like a debate over “regular style” when it comes to dog sex.
The director, Josh Greenbaum, doesn’t attempt to recreate the charming appeal of his previous film, “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar,” which has gained a cult following. Instead, “Strays” aims to create a mindless, enjoyable experience akin to falling into an online rabbit hole of cute animal videos. To some extent, it achieves this effect. By the end of the movie, I had surrendered to its relentless profanity and crude humor, abandoning my note-taking. The audience and I shared genuine laughter during a scene where Maggie attempts knock-knock jokes, only to be met with a chorus of woofs from the other dogs. I chuckled when Hunter said “howling” despite his inability to actually howl, and when Bug yelled “Fuck you, leaf!” at a harmless leaf.
At that moment, I couldn’t quite explain why these moments were so amusing. As I tried to gather my thoughts, I pondered the meaning behind my enjoyment of “Strays.” Is this what passes for “original” in cinema now, with scenes that are destined to become internet memes? Are filmmakers trying to balance the scales of narrative complexity after the successes of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer”? Perhaps the constant bombardment of online content has made me the ideal target for juvenile humor delivered by adorable characters. Should every movie simply star dogs? Could the same concept work with cats, as long as they weren’t portrayed by humans?
I admit, I may be overanalyzing “Strays.” Ultimately, the film is unapologetically unserious and completely mindless, yet strangely endearing. It’s the perfect late-summer schlock, featuring a lovable ensemble of four-legged creatures who have never done anything wrong in their lives. Despite its flaws, “Strays” reminds us of the enduring appeal of a lovable protagonist embarking on a hero’s journey. Its quality is not of great importance because, let’s face it, those dogs are simply the best.
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