Movie Review: ‘Strays’

NEW YORK (OSV News) – It’s a tried-and-tiresome screenwriter’s technique for evoking laughs: Put dirty words into the mouths of characters supposed to be unlikely to use such terms – prim elderly ladies, perhaps, or innocent-seeming little kids. The latest such gambit vulgarly ventriloquizes dogs and results in the mangy comedy “Strays” (Universal).

As written by Dan Perrault, director Josh Greenbaum’s sophomoric production focuses on Reggie (voice of Will Ferrell), a naive Border Terrier owned by deadbeat, bong-cherishing loser Doug (Will Forte). After repeated failed attempts to ditch Reggie, Doug determines to get rid of him once and for all and leaves him stranded on the streets of a distant city.

There, Reggie soon acquires a trio of savvy new pals: Bug (voice of Jamie Foxx), a fast-talking, low-minded Boston Terrier, upbeat Australian Shepherd Maggie (voice of Isla Fisher) and Hunter (voice of Randall Park), a worry-prone Great Dane. Together, they help Reggie belatedly realize that what he mistakenly took for Doug’s affection was actually abusive hatred.

Outraged by this revelation, Reggie resolves to avenge himself by attacking Doug’s crotch. So, with this noble aim in view, the quartet of canines set out on a quest that doubles as a road trip back to Reggie’s former home.

Perrault’s gags range from the merely puerile to the flagrantly disgusting. His script’s attempt to celebrate loyal friendship and Hollywood’s much-beloved self-chosen family, meanwhile, are feeble even before they’re overwhelmed by a climactic, visceral appeal to the satisfaction of violent revenge.

The film contains skewed values, pervasive debased sexual and scatological humor including the depiction of aberrant acts, drug use, brief rear nudity, several profanities, about a dozen milder oaths and relentless rough and crude language. The OSV News classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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