Doggy Style: Dieser Sommer kommt von hinten

I saw Strays at an early fan screening and there were a total of 10 people in my auditorium. This is the reason we barely see comedy movies any more, let alone R-rated ones that don't hold back.

Strays is fun and funny from beginning to end. The hit rate on the comedic attempts is high. Most of it made me laugh out loud. The rest made me at least smile. Comedy is subjective, and I personally love this type of crass comedy.

The casting is on point. I enjoyed all of the voice acting. But the one casting choice that I adored was Will Forte. I realized how much I miss him after rewatching MacGruber recently. He's absolutely perfect for the role.

For a relatively silly movie and concept, it does a surprisingly good job of getting you emotionally invested, even if you're not a dog person. After the movie I couldn't wait to see my cats.

(1 viewing, early fan screening 8/16/2023)

As a dog lover, how could I resist an R-rated comedy about them? "Strays" promised a wild ride in its trailer, and I'm pleased to say it lived up to the hype.

At its core, "Strays" offers a simple yet brilliantly executed idea. An abandoned dog seeking revenge on his former owner might sound absurd, but the film manages to weave an engaging and surprisingly heartfelt narrative around this concept. It's a testament to the filmmakers' ability to take an offbeat premise and turn it into something that's genuinely entertaining.

Now, it's worth noting that "Strays" isn't without its flaws. The abundance of raunchy jokes sometimes feels forced and falls flat. However, the film more than compensates for this with its underlying emotional resonance. Beneath the crude humor, there's a lot of heart in the relationships between the strays, and their quest for justice becomes oddly touching.

For dog lovers, "Strays" offers a unique emotional journey. It taps into the special bond between humans and their four-legged friends, even if the storytelling occasionally leans towards the outrageous. While not a perfect film, "Strays" manages to deliver on its promise and leaves you with a mix of laughter, sentimentality, and an unusual sense of satisfaction. It's a quirky cinematic experience that's sure to strike a chord with those who can't resist the charm of our furry companions.

This is certainly an R-rated comedy featuring dogs as the main characters. These dogs don't just cuss, they are, in many instances, deeply foul-mouthed. I don't have a problem with language, but much of the humor of this film is really predicated on us finding the image of a cute little dog cussing with the best of 'em. Will that make you laugh? If so (and nothing wrong with that), you will like the film more than I did. I found it a bit tiring and uninventive. Same with the poop jokes...a little goes a long way.

On the other hand, there are some amusing bits about the odds things dogs do, like turning around in circles a bunch before laying down. Those uniquely "doggy" gags work much more effectively.

The movie is fitfully funny and I admired the mixture of real dogs with CGI mouths. Some convincing work there. The voicework is generally solid. I can't exactly recommend it, but you know...it was an enjoyable if forgettable visit to the movies.

This is a great comedy, it's an even better dog movie. As a dog lover, I immediately hated Doug, the owner of Shi-err Reggie. The sad reality is that there are millions of those people. Folks who have zero business even being around the greatest animals on earth. But that's another discussion. I saw Strays tonight on its first day in theaters and loved it. It is a foul, raunchy, subversive, brilliant ride and I loved every minute of it. Yes, there are a few things that could be improved but not many. The ending is actually perfect and the mid credit scene is hilarious. Ignore the morons and see this movie.

Really surprised I went to watch this because it's not my type of movie but the R rating was soo appealing and I'm glad I went because it was a blast. Reminded me of Ted, the movie defied expectations. If you had come across teaser photos or muted clips, you might assume it's aimed at kids, but it's far from it.

If you're a dog lover, the emotional aspect will undoubtedly resonate with you more. Personally, I lean towards cats but dogs are fine, I guess. That didn't detract from how much I loved the movie's humor. It was undoubtedly its strong suit and what won me over. Despite its comedic focus, the film carried a meaningful message and theme that prevented it from being a mere laugh-fest. It blended everything in so well. I can already see the 'the best love is the hardest' message might hit home for some; definitely take that friend you know in a toxic relationship to watch this with at the cinema lol.

The plot, while not groundbreaking, wasn't a drawback for me, considering it's unrealistic to expect a talking dog movie to revolutionize storytelling. Initially, I felt Hunter's voice casting was slightly off, but got accustomed to it pretty quickly. I couldn't help but imagine Jamie Foxx's Bug as Samuel L. Jackson, although Foxx was still outstanding. Nice to see a mini-reunion between Josh Gad and Isla Fisher after Wolf Like Me, which I still think I'm the only one who loved it.

Soundtrack was cool. Again, this was funny, there's a few jokes too that can go unnoticed because they're not as prominent as the rest too. I loved the lighter-shade humans line. The cameos were pretty decent too, especially the couch. With a runtime of just over an hour and a half, the pacing was spot on, avoiding any unnecessary plot filler or rushed sequences. The film's message was relatable and skillfully written, making it clear that it wasn't merely about dogs. And random thought, did that kid really let a stray dog lick him all over the mouth?

Anyway, I'd definitely recommend, especially if you loved movies like Ted. It's not what it seems and is definitely a good laugh. And don't forget to stick around for the mid-credit scene; even though Google said there were no post-credit scenes, it's definitely worth the wait.