**Editors note – If you are a parent thinking of taking your children to see a movie about talking dogs, this is not for kids. It is full of adult language, sexual innuendo and drug references.
In “Strays 2023,” the comedic genius Will Ferrell trades in his usual hijinks for a furry fiasco that will have you purring with laughter. This side-splitting comedy delivers a blend of slapstick humour and heartwarming moments, even if it occasionally scratches at predictability.
Ferrell stars as Reggie, an obviously co-dependent border terrier who is completely unloved by his master Doug (Will Forte) who consistently drives Reggie to outer parts of the city in an attempt to rid him of his canine companion. Reggie loves the game and always manages to make it back. When things don’t work out well for Doug, he drives Reggie to the city several hours away and finally drives home the message that Reggie is no longer wanted.
After finally getting the message, Reggie meets Bug (Jamie Foxx), a completely disgusting and inappropriate Boston Terrier who takes Reggie by the paw and shows him how to survive without a human. When he has the basics down-pat, Bug introduces Reggie to the rest of his gang with Hunter (Randall Park), Maggie (Isla Fisher) and his girlfriend Delilah (Sophia Vergara). After Reggie realises what Doug has done, he enlists the help of his new friends to take down Doug and remove his favourite body part.
While the humour is mostly a riot, Strays occasionally lapses into familiar territory. The plot follows a predictable trajectory of initial frustration, followed by reluctant bonding and an emotional epiphany. This formulaic approach can feel a tad littered with clichés, preventing the film from fully stretching its paws into uncharted comedic realms.
Despite its moments of predictability, the film is far from a cat-astrophe. It finds its saving grace in a diverse supporting cast, and while the CGI mouth movements are initially jarring, they quickly settle in when the laughs kick in, and you forget all about it. Park, Vergara, Foxx and Fisher are fantastic rounding out Bug’s gang. Their quirky performances add layers of charm and hilarity to the mix, giving the story some extra whiskers of depth.
Strays also manages to tug at the heartstrings amid the hilarity. As Reggie’s realisation evolves, he discovers unexpected feelings of companionship and empathy. These touching moments remind us that sometimes, the most unexpected friendships can lead to the biggest changes in our lives.
In the end, Strays is a delightful rollercoaster ride of laughs and heartwarming moments, carried by Will Ferrell’s comedic brilliance and a fur-tastic ensemble of four-legged troublemakers. While it occasionally falls into a familiar litter box of storytelling, the film’s unique premise and hilarious execution make it a paw-sitively entertaining watch. In a year of dolls, atomic bombs and superhero sequels, its fantastic to head to the cinema to watch a true laugh-out-loud comedy with some of the best comedians working today.
Strays is in Australian cinemas August 17.
