About the film (courtesy of Universal Pictures):
They say a dog is 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. When Reggie (Will Ferrell), a naive, relentlessly optimistic Border Terrier, is abandoned on the mean city streets by his lowlife owner, Doug (Will Forte), Reggie is certain that his beloved owner would never leave him on purpose. Once Reggie falls in with a fast-talking, foul-mouthed Boston Terrier named Bug (Jamie Foxx), a stray who loves his freedom and believes that owners are for suckers, Reggie finally realizes he was in a toxic relationship and begins to see Doug for the heartless sleaze ball that he is.
Strays is a comedy-drama film directed by Josh Greenbaum (Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021)) and starring Will Ferrell, Isla Fisher, Randall Park, Sofia Vergara, Will Forte, and Dennis Quaid, just because. Will Ferrell gets most of the screentime as Reggie, a naïve but lovable dog who is abandoned by his owner. Reggie then falls in with a fast-talking, foul-mouthed Boston Terrier (voiced by Jamie Foxx) and his gang of strays. Determined to seek revenge, Reggie and his new canine pals embark on an epic adventure to get him home and make Doug pay for his dirty deed.
Strays is mostly heartwarming and funny with a lot of heart, at times. While at others times, the feeling is such where things tend to get a bit darker and somewhat sad. The cast is rather entertaining, with Will Ferrell giving a particularly charming performance as Reggie. Obviously this film will appeal to dog lovers of all types mostly because there are dogs with all types of individual personality. The power of friendship and the importance of family, whether born into it or adopted, seems to be an integral cornerstone of the film’s plot.
However, Strays is not without its flaws. The film’s plot is a bit predictable, and the ending is a bit rushed. Regardless of the rushed feeling at certain points, a runtime of 93 minutes in greatly appreciated. After all, the plot is rather thin, so getting to the conclusion as briskly as possible was probably a good choice. Additionally, some of the film’s jokes fall flat, which is to be expected.
Overall, Strays is a fun and enjoyable film for fans of comedy and dogs. The story is simple but effective, and it’s sure to resonate with viewers who have ever felt abandoned or lost. The film’s message of friendship, loyalty, and redemption is sure to leave a lasting impression. And the heartwarming story and excellent cast make it a worthwhile watch. However, viewers who are only looking for a laugh-out-loud comedy may be disappointed since this has some surprise emotional depth.
Strays is not going to have mass appeal, nor will it set box offices on fire. It will provide an hour and a half of laugher and escape for those who opt to see this R-rated comedy. And heck, it may even inspire you to adopt one of the many animals that are patiently awaiting a furever home spread out all across the country.
You can see Strays in theaters everywhere starting Friday, August 18th with early showtimes starting Thursday evening.
