Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		4.0

Strays Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 7, 2019

1991’s “Strays” was produced for the USA Network, with the channel hoping to provide some frights for the Christmas season, turning to the realm of feral cats and their special ways with torment to find necessary suspense. Cats are a common foe for animal attack features, offering a natural menace, especially when imagined as undomesticated villains only out to mark their territory and slaughter trespassers. The screenplay by Shaun Cassidy (the famous pop star from the 1970s makes his writing debut here) makes a game attempt to come up with something familiar yet sinister with the material, playing around with horror cliches as he concocts a rural battle between a pack of felines and an understandably overwhelmed family new to the area, unfamiliar with boundaries. “Strays” is mild when it comes to powerhouse frights, unable to reach beyond the confines of basic cable television and really go for broke when dealing with furry attackers, but Cassidy is working to make something spooky with the material, successfully dreaming up situations that either result in extended showdowns or painful death.

Relocating to the small town of Garf, writer Lindsay (Kathleen Quinlan) and her husband, lawyer Paul (Timothy Busfield), are ready for a new life with their young daughter, Tessa, and dog, Benny. Lindsay’s sister, Claire (Claudia Christian) is a realtor, offering a great deal on a big house recently vacated by the previous owners, who are looking for a quick sale, giving the family exactly what they need. However, while trying to make the dwelling livable, the couple discovers the property is infested with feral cats, with a Boss Cat creating a nightmare for anyone who comes near. While Paul detects the presence of the animals through marked territory, he’s also dealing with Claire’s legal woes, trying to score her a quick divorce. Lindsay, remaining with Tessa, gradually grows aware of feline trouble, forced to defend the homestead from the charging cats.

The town name of Garf is about as weird as “Strays” gets. Cassidy keeps characterization straightforward with the family, with Lindsay and Paul a clean-cut couple with middle class problems, trying to find some money to pay for their new life, bathing Tessa in parental love. They’re cheery, giving the feature some characters to root for, entering a new chapter in the lives with a home that’s seen some heavy violence, as detailed in the picture’s prologue. “Strays” spends substantial screen time on the moving process, with a telephone repairman tasked with navigating a grim cellar area littered with live rodents and evidence of critter destruction. Benny receives new freedom with a doggy door, permitting him access to the outside world whenever he wants it. And Paul tries to stay positive about the upheaval, maintain his legal practice in the city.

Warning signs are portioned out carefully in the writing, with most alarms raised by Paul, who’s allergic to cats, finding his sneezing out of control. He also the only one to notice urine markings on nearby trees and, soon, inside the house. Once a few of the feral cats find their way to the couple, Lindsay proves to be a fan, unknowingly giving vicious creatures a comfortable place to stay, downplaying her husband’s physical discomfort to help cuddle some cute kitties. The Boss Cat isn’t nearly as charming, with the British Shorthair (the same breed as Church, from the original “Pet Sematary”) ruling the forest outside the house with a menacing howl, soon becoming a problem for others as service professionals are attacked, and even Benny is taught a lesson after making a poor choice to explore the cellar.

Cassidy can only get so far with the central feline threat in “Strays,” but instead of finding tension elsewhere, he tries melodrama on for size. It seems Claire isn’t exactly prepared to pay for her divorce case, with Paul offering to take her on as a client out of family duty and a piece of the possible settlement. She rewards him with personal attention, even kissing him on the lips in front of Lindsay, which understandably disturbs the loving spouse. This subplot tries to find some footing inside Paul’s office, where he learns more about Claire’s seductive ways with men, jeopardizing their position in the proceedings. It’s somewhat odd to have all this superfluous business concerning Claire’s sexual needs in middle of a crazy cat attack movie, but Cassidy needs some filler, and he finds it by adding domestic discord between Paul and Lindsay, who can’t trust her sister. More exciting is a visit from a local vet tending to Benny’s wounds, openly admonishing the couple for their treatment of the family dog, also gifting them a water pistol to take care of the feline problem. Locals underestimating the growing threat is more interesting than Claire’s insecurities.

Strays Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Originally created for television, "Strays" makes a surprising move to Blu-ray, offering an AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation. While there's little cinematic heft to the imagery, the viewing experience is pleasant, offering satisfactory detail throughout, picking up on the villains and their fine fur, while human participants enjoy fibrous costumes and textured skin surfaces. Household interiors are compelling, with a full read of decoration, and attic/cellar spaces preserve their threatening appearance with spider webs and jagged metal edges. Colors are enjoyable, retaining the woodsy look of the house, also showcasing bright greenery. Clothing includes period hues, and Busfield's red hair is intact. Cat appearances are also varied. Delineation is strong, maintaining frame information in dark stretches. Grain is film-like. Source is in good shape, without significant damage. Some light banding is detected.

Strays Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix secures the essentials of the "Strays" listening event, presenting defined dialogue exchanges, which explore domestic routine and increasing survival panic without losing consistency. Scoring is also appealing, with decent instrumentation to best support suspense sequences. Sound effects are defined, exploring rainfall and, of course, feline intimidation, with growls and hisses enjoying louder volume to generate unease.

Strays Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Trailer (:55, SD) is included.

Strays Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Director John McPherson delivers a good portion of attack sequences, saving major damage for the final act, which finds Lindsay weaponizing water to defend the house from Boss Cat and her soldiers. There's a slight mean streak to the production, which isn't above utilizing child endangerment for cheap scares, which dampens some of the movie's fun factor. However, such ugliness doesn't define the viewing experience, quickly returning to more traditional offerings of domestic defense and unfortunate demises. There are more thrills than frights in "Strays," and while it doesn't go bananas due to broadcast limitations, there's a fair amount of violence to enjoy. Performances are quite good as well, finding Quinlan committing to panic as Lindsay scrambles around in survival mode, locating unexpected ways to battle cats. And while Busfield has the less active part, his thespian liveliness is welcome, creating a defined personality when cliché was expected. "Strays" isn't advanced in development or execution, and it could deal with a general rethinking of its second act, but the effort is enjoyable, as most pictures concerning a cat uprising are.