STRAYS 2023 (MOVIE REVIEW) - I HAVE NEVER LAUGHED SO HARD IN MY LIFE (PARENTAL GUIDANCE IS ADVISED).

I hardly watch movies. I am an anime & book person. When I do get to see a movie, it is nothing out of the ordinary for me. It is always within the scope of expectations (even if it makes me cry) and I can't tell if that is a good thing...

It was somewhat a sad day for me on Saturday (I think I would term it mini-depression) and I couldn't binge on Anime because I lost all of them when I got this new freaking laptop. Anyway, back on track...

As I was saying, I wanted to take my mind off things and proceeded to collect a ton of movies from my neighbor who is not an anime person. My depression series carried into last night and I decided to watch.

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First thing I did not expect? The movie characters were animals. I mean anyone would say, "but hey, the name is obvious". Not to me. I was certain it would be interesting from the name but I half expected an action packed film of guns and roses. Sounded like a Chick-flick.

We meet the first human in the movie who has a potty mouth and that is no surprise there. Then few more minutes into the movie...I am shocked up my couch with the mouth on these characters who happen to be animals?

The movie starts with Doug and Reggie. Reggie is too much of a lover like all dogs we know. He was handpicked by Doug's girlfriend and Doug would proceed to keep Reggie after they broke up, not because he cared about the dog but to get back at the girlfriend.

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Doug is the typical example of a narcissist who blames everyone else for his problems. Reggie is the unfortunate one to bear the brunt of his anger all the time. Reggie sees the good in everything and the good in Doug too. Unfortunately, that is how some people are wired.

Reggie is the typical example of goodness in flesh. This, I would say, is his greatest strength but also a weakness in the sense that he had no clue what a true loving relationship is.

Doug would constantly try to get rid of Reggie but the resilient guy would always find his way home. Until, Doug would go the extra mile to actually dump him somewhere. Thing is, Reggie is a diehard lover and this doesn't stop him. He meets and makes a bunch of friends, and oh my God! The mouth on these things! Especially Bug!

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Bug is suave. The tiny guy with a lot of guts and will. He finds Reggie who was caught up in what would have turned to a blood bath and saved him from things twice his size. Not everyday you see someone - or in this case - some dog who is willing to do that. Or maybe there are...

We all have a friend like Bug in our circles. The one who is always reckless, lousy and loyal to a fault! Bug and Reggie build a bond that is undeniable. I mean, Reggie makes other friends too. Like Maggie (the group mom) and Hunter (the handsome stud)...

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...but a look at the two mutts and you see the rare thing going on there. Anyway, Reggie finally realizes that his owner never loved him and had just maltreated him. He decides to get revenge and his friends embark on this quest with him. They would face hurdles especially when Reggie would have inner conflicts and takes a different route. He would, like every victim of abuse, begin to blame himself for everything wrong in the relationship.

The story opens up and we see that each of them have their own battles and insecurities. Even Bug. These four would make mistakes, get into deep trouble and face betrayals. What happens when Reggie comes face to face with Doug again? Does he get his pound of flesh or like every good guy in the movie, "decides" to forgive? That is entirely up to you to find out.

I give this movie a solid 9/10! Why? This movie didn't just entertain. It covered the depth of toxicity in any relationship. I got to see through a dog what it is really like to be trapped in a relationship that is a total disaster. And why we might stay. This movie transcended being about pets and entered into real life struggles and the things we encounter daily - of course, adding a lot of dogmental elements.

Also, I am not one who cares about graphics but the humour? Off the freaking charts! I laughed, gagged and cringed along with the movie. I also cried. Reggie got a little stupid. I would tell you to watch the movie to know what these buddies refer to as doggy. Ha! You won't believe it!