Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is a family friendly movie that will entertain the kids, but how will adults feel? Here’s our review.
This review of Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile needs to start off by admitting that the children at our screening more or less enjoyed it. They had fun, they laughed, they cried — they were entertained. When it comes to the adults, however, that is a different story. While this movie certainly has moments that the entire family can enjoy, they are few and far between.
The film starts off strong. It is almost instantly intriguing as we learn how Hector acquired Lyle as a pet (and how Lyle got his name). Watching them bond over song and dance will have viewers smiling from ear to ear as they bop along in their seats. But it is when Hector, who is wonderfully played by Javier Bardem, disappears from the movie that things start to take a turn for the worse. Yes her returns, and yes, the movie gets more interesting and emotional then, but it drags quite a bit in the middle.
Shawn Mendes voices Lyle, who can only communicate via song. He is a lovable and cuddly crocodile despite being, well, exactly that. A crocodile. It is easy to root for him, but it is also sad to see the way he is treated by others – in particular by Hector when he returns. It becomes apparent that he might be vying for the love of this man, but it isn’t exactly deserved.
Still, when he comes into Josh’s (Winslow Fegley) life, the two form a bond and become fast friends. They each need each other and it becomes a mutually beneficial relationship. There are several catchy songs like “Top of the World” and “Take a Look at Us Now” that offer up some unique and entertaining dance sequences, but the latter gets played far too much throughout the film, making it almost like nails on a chalkboard by the end. It is a good song, but it didn’t need to be used as much as it was.
The biggest issue in Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is that it should have given kids more credit. So much of the script feels dumbed down so that they can relate and understand. This is a bummer because there are great lessons to be learned about being yourself and not caring what others think, as well as about stage fright and finding true happiness, in this movie.
There are some funny and silly moments buried in Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile but unfortunately it feels like it takes quite a few cheap shots. Listen, we love poop and fart jokes as much as the next person, but when literally no one in a theater laughs at a cat with diarrhea, maybe it was too forced. There are several jokes like this, that just don’t work overall, but at least there are some that will cause the audience to laugh as well.
It should be warned that for kids who become invested in the story, and in Lyle, there are some intense and emotional scenes towards the end. There were a few kids crying in the theater, one uncontrollably. So parents, just be aware of this if you take the family to see it.
CGI animals are never easy, and the crocodile, as well as the cat, in Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile aren’t all that impressive. They look alright, but it is very clear they are not real. This is easily overlooked as the movie goes on, but it is a little jarring at first. Basically they don’t look real, but they don’t look awful either. So there is that.
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is sure to be a hit with the kids, it is wholesome and fun for the most part. Honestly, some adults might really enjoy it as well. A great movie to take the family to see in theaters when it comes out on October 7th, but don’t go into it expecting too much. It has an interesting story, is loosely based off the children’s book, and a lot of catchy songs.
The acting is great, for the most part, but the script feels too dumbed down for a younger audience. It loses its place between the music and the comedy, unfortunately. Still something that the family could have fun with, so it isn’t a complete loss.
Rating: 2 out of 5
NEXT: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Directors On Adapting The Book & Shawn Mendes
About Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
Based on the best-selling book series by Bernard Waber, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, starring Academy Award-winner Javier Bardem, Constance Wu and Shawn Mendes, is a live-action/CGI musical comedy that brings this beloved character to a new, global audience.
When the Primm family (Wu, Scoot McNairy, Winslow Fegley) moves to New York City, their young son Josh struggles to adapt to his new school and new friends. All of that changes when he discovers Lyle – a singing crocodile (Mendes) who loves baths, caviar and great music-living in the attic of his new home.
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile hits theaters on October 7th.
