It seems like “talking dog” movies are almost a genre within themselves, as almost every year we get a new one, whether it’s in live action or animated form. The new movie STRAYS takes the idea of dogs going on an adventure, complete with celebrity voices and celebrity cameos, only pushing the content in a very R-rated direction. This is NOT a movie for kids, but for those with the right sense of humor, it can be a rather satisfying comedy experience.

Reggie (Will Ferrell) is a cute little dog who sadly finds himself in the care of Doug (Will Forte), who clearly doesn’t love him and doesn’t want him around. But Reggie has the misconception that Doug’s behavior is just a sort of playful game. When Doug finally decides he’s had enough, he takes Reggie to the middle of nowhere and leaves him. Reggie meets Bug (Jamie Foxx), Maggie (Isla Fisher) and Hunter (Randall Park), a trio of stray dogs who take him in as a friend, and help him understand that Doug is not the friend Reggie thinks he is. Once Reggie figures this new reality out, he decides he has a new mission, to find his way home to Doug, and bite his former master’s penis off. The group of pooches begin their quest, and along the way face off with other animals and humans, but find an important bond with each other… but can Reggie find the courage to do what he feels compelled to do?

While STRAYS is intended to be a raunchy laugh riot for audiences ready to laugh, it also has a surprising amount and heart and even a few emotional moments that give is an unexpected sophistication amidst the outrageous moments. There are goof themes present about the important of friendship, honesty, and standing up for yourself. But let’s face it, folks going to see this movie are probably more interested in the gross out humor, and there’s definitely plenty of that present. This is a film that reminds us how cute and filled with personality different dog breeds can be, but doesn’t shy away from the the more taboo aspects of dog life. Pooping, peeing, doggie sex and hazardous eating habits are all covered, often with hilarious results.

The voice cast is terrific here, with Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx really shining in their respective roles. I believe they recorded their dialogue in the same room talking to each other, and their chemistry is very solid and endearing. I can’t imagine anyone else doing these particular voices after seeing this film, they very much own these characters. Isla Fisher and Randall Park are also great as the awkward dog pals accompanying Reggie and Bug on these adventures, with Randall Park progressively more and more funny as the awkward Great Dane wearing a protective cone, which is an allegory for his own insecurity. Will Forte really digs in with his role as the horrible Doug, a cartoonish but effective character you know should never own a dog, much less anything he’s meant to care for. Forte is a genuinely nice man, but he doesn’t shy away from playing Doug as nasty as possible, to where the audience will very much want to see Reggie carry out his vengeful mission. Rob Riggle and Josh Gad lend their voices to smaller supporting roles, but make the most of their scenes.

I also really enjoyed how well the talking mouths were handled with the dogs, as it’s done so well I sometimes had to remind myself that I wasn’t actually watching talking animals… the CGI used is used quite well. Director Josh Greenbaum does a great job with the pacing of the film, which clocks in at a brisk 93 minutes and never feels boring or tedious. The humor is sharp and fast, and the jokes land strong in almost every scene. STRAYS is a fun breath of fresh air in a summer of reboots and sequels, or bloated blockbuster fare. It’s one of the funniest movies I’ve seen in a while, and a film that knows exactly what it is and never tries to be anything more. I actually wouldn’t mind seeing this again, or at the very least seeing more adventures with these furry friends. If you need a good laugh, STRAYS is packed with plenty.

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