movie reviews for lyle lyle crocodile

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, lyle, lyle, crocodile.

Now streaming on:

Children and their families have been delighted by the stories about Lyle, the music-loving, scarf-wearing crocodile who lives on Manhattan’s East 88 th Street, since the first book in the series by Bernard Waber was published in 1962. An HBO Storybook animated film with songs by Charles Strouse ("Annie") perfectly matched the book’s colorful illustrations and cheerful story. Now a live-action movie with CGI animals features the songs of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (“ La La Land ,” “ Dear Evan Hansen ,” “ The Greatest Showman ”), skillfully updating the story with a top-notch cast.

One wise choice was expanding the role of Hector P. Valenti, exuberantly played by Javier Bardem . We first see Hector as an aspiring performer and magician who cannot get a job. When he's told that his act needs something new, something more than tricks with pigeons and playing cards, he notices Eddie’s Exotic Animals shop across the street. In a back room there is a tiny baby crocodile. And he sings. (Another wise choice by this movie: Shawn Mendes provides the croc’s sweet, supple tenor.) Hector names his new friend Lyle and they have a wonderful time singing together. Hector puts everything he has into a grand performance with Lyle. But Lyle, who has never sung in front of an audience, gets stage fright. It is a disaster. Hector goes on the road to make some money and leaves Lyle in the attic, promising he will be back.

Eighteen months later, a new family who moves into the house on 88 th Street: the Primms, math teacher dad (Scott McNairy), cookbook author mom ( Constance Wu ), and worried son Josh ( Winslow Fegley ), who is anxious about the crime rate in New York, his new school, and pretty much everything else. The basement apartment is occupied by the ominously named and very fussy Mr. Grumps ( Brett Gelman ) and his cat Loretta. “She is not a cat,” he explains. “She is a silver-shaded Persian with an extremely delicate constitution.” Grumps warns the Primms that he has lawyers on hand in case they violate any of the neighborhood rules, including “noise abatement” restrictions.

Josh is the first to discover Lyle. He quickly gets over his panic at finding a nine-foot reptile with scary teeth in his attic when he sees how friendly Lyle is and how sweetly he sings. It's a charming reverse of the idea of music soothing a savage; instead, we see one human after another relaxed and cheered by the singing of a species usually thought of as a terrifying alpha predator. Soon, Lyle and Josh are exploring the neighborhood at night, dumpster-diving for gourmet meals. Lyle’s encounters with Josh’s parents follow the same pattern. They are scared, then they are friends, then they learn confidence and courage.

Time for the return of Hector P. Valenti. Like Lyle, he initially appears to be an unwelcome intrusion but is quickly a cherished part of the family. The scenes of the Primms getting to know Lyle and Valenti are the movie’s highlight.

And then, things go very badly. Will this newly expanded family be able to stay together?

The CGI is exceptionally well-integrated, and with the help of good sound design, avoids the frequent mistake of making heavy creatures seem weightless. The Pasek/Paul songs are filled with joyful spirit, accompanied by some choice needle-drop classics like Stevie Wonder ’s “Sir Duke” and a well-chosen Elton John number. McNairy and Wu are fine as the concerned parents who each find a liberating freedom after Lyle shows them something new about their favorite pastimes. Fegley keeps us on his side as the worried kid and then as the newly adventuresome devoted friend.

"Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" is a bit too long for a family movie, with some unnecessary complications toward the end, and it's not quite up to the “ Paddington ” level of movie adaptations of classic children's books. But it is a warm-hearted family film with great musical numbers that will make another generation of kids hopefully search the attic on the chance that they might find a singing crocodile.

Now playing in theaters.

Nell Minow is the Contributing Editor at RogerEbert.com.

Now playing

High & Low – John Galliano

Niani scott.

Peter Sobczynski

God Save Texas

Matt zoller seitz.

Drive-Away Dolls

Tomris laffly.

Love Lies Bleeding

Brian tallerico.

Nandini Balial

Film credits.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022)

Rated PG for mild peril and thematic elements.

106 minutes

Javier Bardem as Hector P. Valenti

Constance Wu as Mrs. Primm

Winslow Fegley as Josh Primm

Scoot McNairy as Mr. Primm

Brett Gelman as Mr. Grumps

Shawn Mendes as Lyle (voice)

Josh Gordon

Writer (based on the book series by)

Bernard Waber
Will Davies

Cinematographer

Javier Aguirresarobe
Richard Pearson
Matthew Margeson
Justin Paul

Latest blog posts

Beyoncé and My Daughter Love Country Music

A Poet of an Actor: Louis Gossett, Jr. (1936-2024)

Why I Love Ebertfest: A Movie Lover's Dream

Adam Wingard Focuses on the Monsters

International edition
Australia edition
Europe edition

from left, Lyle the Crocodile, voiced by Shawn Mendes, Constance Wu, Javier Bardem and Winslow Fegley inLyle, Lyle, Crocodile.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile review – lip-smackingly good fun with the CGI singing croc

Shawn Mendes voices the much-loved character of the reptile discovered in a pet shop, but it’s Javier Bardem’s flamboyant showman who steals the film

T he star of this family adventure is meant to be an eight-foot CGI singing crocodile called Lyle (voiced by Canadian pop star Shawn Mendes ). But then along comes Javier Bardem with a thinning comb-over and a moustache to rival Hercule Poirot; giving another lip-smackingly juicy performance, Bardem marches away with the film as flamboyant failed showman Hector P Valenti. Next to his dazzle, everything else about Lyle, Lyle Crocodile, adapted from Bernard Waber’s much-loved picture books , looks a bit average.

It begins when Hector finds adorable baby crocodile Lyle in a New York pet shop. It’s a wackily funny scene: Lyle in his cage singing along to the radio and shaking reptile butt. Spotting the showbiz potential of a musical croc, Hector trains Lyle to perform in a double act, belting out numbers written for the film by La La Land duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. (Their track Take a Look at Us Now is lovely.) Incidentally, although Lyle sings with the voice of an angel, he never speaks in the film, which irritated me – though made perfect sense to the five-year-old I watched with. (Her review of Lyle, Lyle Crocodile is a grinning two thumbs up.)

The trouble for Hector is that Lyle suffers from stage fright. When the show flops, Hector, heavily in debt, does a midnight flit, leaving Lyle the croc home alone. Bardem plays the character’s moral erraticism beautifully: Hector is a mix of happy-go-lucky bonhomie and desperation. Like Mr Micawber, he’s forever convinced his luck is on the turn.

Enter the Primm family, mum, dad and young Josh (Winslow Fegley), who move into Hector’s house. Of course, they are in need of the life lessons that only a singing crocodile can give. This part of the story is disappointingly generic but, still, the film’s good-natured warmth wins the day, just. Stranger Things’ Brett Gelman also gives good baddie as the Primm’s miserable neighbour Mr Grumps, a kid-hating stickler for rules.

Animation in film
Family films
Comedy films
Javier Bardem
Film adaptations
Children and teenagers

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

Upcoming Movies and TV shows
Trivia & Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

Movies / TV

No results found.

What's the Tomatometer®?
Login/signup

Movies in theaters

Opening this week
Top box office
Coming soon to theaters
Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

Netflix streaming
Prime Video
Most popular streaming movies
What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

Love Lies Bleeding Link to Love Lies Bleeding
Problemista Link to Problemista
Late Night with the Devil Link to Late Night with the Devil

New TV Tonight

Mary & George: Season 1
Star Trek: Discovery: Season 5
Sugar: Season 1
American Horror Story: Season 12
Parish: Season 1
Ripley: Season 1
Loot: Season 2
Lopez vs Lopez: Season 2
The Magic Prank Show With Justin Willman: Season 1

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Reviews

The plot itself is amazingly clichéd.

Full Review | Original Score: C | Mar 6, 2024

This desperately wants to have the charm, the wit, the zing, the joie de vivre of Paddington, and it doesn't.

Full Review | Jan 9, 2024

Shawn Mendes voices the most charming croc ever in this CGI-filled fun fest.

Full Review | Oct 4, 2023

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is the perfect film to snuggle together on the sofa with. A disarming easy watch that isn’t too taxing on the adults in the audience, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile will keep the kids transfixed time and time again.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 9, 2023

Bardem’s totally unexpected performance as a song and dance man is the main reason to see the film.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 6, 2023

A heartwarming and emotional tale about finding your voice, following your passion, and the power of found family.

Full Review | Original Score: 8/10 | Jan 3, 2023

Fun tunes and a typically irrepressible turn from Bardem give this take on the 1965 picture book some pizzazz, but the rest is mostly mild, post-Paddington kindness schtick.

Full Review | Dec 29, 2022

[Left an] uncanny aftertaste, common to much current Hollywood family entertainment: a sense that wit, personality and emotional insight have been more or less skilfully simulated.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Dec 23, 2022

Bardem offers audiences an opportunity to see a whole other side of himself. As a dramatic actor he can move an audience but as a singing and dancing comedic actor he surprises viewers with how good he can be.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Dec 19, 2022

The villain is nothing more than a cranky neighbor; quelle horreur!

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Dec 19, 2022

... a story of finding one’s family, of believing in one’s self, and never settling for the ways things are when they could be so much more.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Dec 15, 2022

… a charismatic piece of family entertainment that will have kids and parents onside quickly.

Full Review | Original Score: 16/20 | Dec 12, 2022

With apologies to Sir Elton John, this fun sing-along is the definitive Crocodile Rock.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 2, 2022

This is the perfect movie for both children and intoxicated adults. Would you like to watch a live crocodile sitting in a courtroom? Yes, you absolutely would. Look no further than this masterpiece of an atrocity.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/10 | Nov 30, 2022

The simple plotting and broad characterisation is bolstered by some pretty effective special effects work, and performer interaction with the towering, computer-generated crocodile is impressively seamless throughout.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 2, 2022

Surprisingly confusing for a movie about the sweet-natured antics of a kid and a singing crocodile.

Full Review | Oct 29, 2022

Watching Javier Bardem sing and dance along with Lyle is great fun, and the movie is fine for very young kids as well as teens--at the end of my screening, kids applauded and danced to the ending credits.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Oct 28, 2022

The story suggests sketches and strokes that could lead to interesting places, yet it never decides on following any... things get better once Bardem comes along. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 27, 2022

Without being all that wonderful, Josh Gordon and Will Speck's Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is good family fun and has songs that will get stuck in your head... [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 27, 2022

A mellifluous and forgettable musical. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Oct 21, 2022

Supported by

‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’ Review: Bopping to the Crocodile Rock

A singing, dancing reptile with charm to spare is put to meager use in this live-action musical.

Share full article

By Calum Marsh

I was very delighted by the first ten minutes of “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile,” Josh Gordon and Will Speck’s whimsical live-action musical about a crocodile that can dance and sing. The stage performer and magician Hector Valenti (Javier Bardem, bringing uncharacteristic humor to the part of a flamboyant, mustachioed P.T. Barnum type) adopts the tuneful Lyle (computer animated, and voiced by the pop star Shawn Mendes), and the two proceed to leap, tap and twirl their way through a charming and exuberant musical number. The song, “Take a Look at Us Now,” was composed by the songwriting duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who also wrote songs for the 2017 musical “The Greatest Showman.” Like that film, “Lyle” has a brisk, whimsical momentum that is utterly infectious in the early going.

Then it stops dead: Hector absconds, 18 months pass and Lyle gets a new set of human foils to contend with, none of whom — Mrs. Primm (Constance Wu), Mr. Primm (Scoot McNairy) and their son, Josh (Winslow Fegley) — are remotely interesting. Lyle, by the way, can’t speak: he can only communicate by singing. Nonetheless, and unforgivably, another song doesn’t come along for nearly half an hour — an eternity by musical standards. Lyle and Josh go dumpster diving to find exotic foods: why isn’t this a musical number? After Lyle is jailed in a zoo by Wildlife Control, Hector (back in the film at last) and Josh orchestrate a late-night prison break: this should definitely be a musical number. This conflict, like many in the film, is resolved much too easily, in a show of writerly laziness. Or perhaps it’s a case of deus ex croc-ina.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Rated PG. Running time: 1 hour 46 minutes. In theaters.

Explore More in TV and Movies

Not sure what to watch next we can help..

“X-Men ’97,” a revival on Disney+ that picks up where the ’90s animated series left off, has faced questions after the firing of its showrunner ahead of the premiere.

“3 Body Problem,” a science fiction epic from the creators of “Game of Thrones,” has arrived on Netflix. We spoke with them about their latest project .

For the past two decades, female presidential candidates on TV have been made in Hillary Clinton’s image. With “The Girls on the Bus,” that’s beginning to change .

“Freaknik,” a new Hulu documentary, delves into the rowdy ’80s and ’90s-era spring festival that drew hundreds of thousands of Black college students to Atlanta.

If you are overwhelmed by the endless options, don’t despair — we put together the best offerings on Netflix , Max , Disney+ , Amazon Prime and Hulu to make choosing your next binge a little easier.

Sign up for our Watching newsletter to get recommendations on the best films and TV shows to stream and watch, delivered to your inbox.

Cast & crew
User reviews

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

Feature film based on the children's book about a crocodile that lives in New York City. Feature film based on the children's book about a crocodile that lives in New York City. Feature film based on the children's book about a crocodile that lives in New York City.

Josh Gordon
Bernard Waber
William Davies
Javier Bardem
Winslow Fegley
Shawn Mendes
136 User reviews
81 Critic reviews
51 Metascore
1 win & 2 nominations

Hector P. Valenti

See all cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

Trivia Illustrations from Bernard Waber's "The House on East 88th Street" (1962) and "Lyle, Lyle Crocodile" (1965) are visible in the movie framed on the stairway wall, drawn by Mrs. Primm, and in the credits.
Goofs Bars around crocodiles' den: those animals need to be separated by a large pit and glass barriers, not bars.

Hector P. Valenti : Who wants to be safe? We are here to live, and living is a dangerous business.

Connections Featured in Wheel of Fortune: Episode #40.21 (2022)
Soundtracks I Like It Like That Written by Tony Pabon and Manny Rodriguez Performed by Pete Rodriguez Sung Along by Shawn Mendes Courtesy of Craft Latino Recordings, a division of Concord

User reviews 136

benjaminskylerhill
Oct 7, 2022
How long is Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile? Powered by Alexa
October 7, 2022 (United States)
United States
United Kingdom
Lyle, Chú Cá Sấu Biết Hát
Marietta, Georgia (LLC yellow sign directing to Basecamp at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Marietta, GA)
Eagle Pictures
Hutch Parker Entertainment
Lightnin' Production Rentals
See more company credits at IMDbPro
$50,000,000 (estimated)
$46,888,441
$11,401,182
Oct 9, 2022
$110,999,085

Technical specs

Runtime 1 hour 46 minutes
Dolby Digital

More to explore

‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’ will melt even the most coldblooded heart

Toe-tapping tunes help sell this charming fable, based on beloved children’s books about the adventures of a friendly reptile.

The title character of “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” may be a coldblooded reptile — in this case, one who sings — but never you worry: This family flick delivers enough pulse-quickening earworms and warmth to melt even the iciest of hearts.

Not that Lyle himself, voiced by pop star Shawn Mendes in this blend of live action and computer animation, is anything but lovable. Following the child-befriends-a-misunderstood-monster paradigm of “ E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial ” and “ The Iron Giant ,” “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” takes the bite out of its razor-toothed hero by imbuing him with expressive eyes, a sheepish demeanor and Mendes’s silky tenor. Although Lyle doesn’t talk — a trait carried over from Bernard Waber’s beloved picture book series, begun in 1962 with “The House on East 88th Street” — this version of the character does sing, even if his stage fright keeps the world from understanding the gentle soul beneath his scaly exterior.

It’s a crafty conceit that allows screenwriter Will Davies to recast Lyle’s tale as a pop-rock musical by way of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the hit-churning songwriters behind “ The Greatest Showman ,” “ Dear Evan Hansen ” and “ La La Land .” Here, they collaborate with Ari Afsar, Emily Gardner Xu Hall, Mark Sonnenblick and Joriah Kwamé to compose original tunes worthy of that catchy catalogue. Among them: the soaring anthem “Top of the World,” the power ballad “Carried Away” and the charming duet “Take a Look at Us Now.”

That last song complements Mendes’s polished pipes with the rawer vocals of Javier Bardem, who plays down-and-out magician Hector P. Valenti with vaudevillian verve. Sporting a thick mustache and a thinning mop of hair, the endearingly eccentric character looks after Lyle in the attic of a Manhattan brownstone — that is, until the showman skips town and leaves the family that moves in to discover a reptilian housemate with a love of caviar and bubble baths.

Lyle’s companionship is a balm for tween Josh (Winslow Fegley), an anxious kid struggling to fit in at his new school, as the two outcasts bond over dumpster dives and rooftop dinners in the theater district. Lyle’s antics also teach Josh’s buttoned-up dad (the ever-dependable character actor Scoot McNairy) how to unleash his inner animal. As Josh’s cookbook-author stepmom, Constance Wu harmonizes with Mendes on “Rip Up the Recipe” to deliver a toe-tapping groove about learning to let loose.

Directors Will Speck and Josh Gordon strike a balance between earnestness and absurdity without getting lost in self-parody. It becomes clear what kind of movie we’re watching early on, when Mr. Grumps — a downstairs neighbor played by Brett Gelman with gleeful indignation — is introduced by that cartoonish name with deadpan sincerity. Yet there’s still room for meta-humor: As Josh tries to reassure his stepmom that Lyle isn’t violent, he blurts out, “He’s not like that — he wears a scarf.”

Davies’s script relies more on archetypes than on fully realized narrative arcs. But that’s a natural concession for a kid-friendly musical that clocks in at under two hours. And there’s not much that could have been done about the uncanniness of Mendes’s flowing vocals emerging from a crocodile’s angular snout. While the movie builds toward a climax that’s entirely predictable, as Hector reappears with dreams of turning Lyle into a star, its laudable call for compassion should still get through to the little ones.

Along the way, Speck and Gordon show off some filmmaking style, weaving the camera through Manhattan’s streets with whiz-bang proficiency. The directors also keep the laughs coming, thanks in no small part to Mr. Grumps’s fussy cat, a CGI creation that scratches the itch for silly sight gags. And they nod to the source material by having Wu’s character sketch Lyle in Waber’s illustration style. For the most part, though, the filmmakers succeed not by imitating, but by creating something entirely their own.

PG. At area theaters. Contains mild peril and mature thematic elements. 105 minutes.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Review

A charming, whimsical tale of a singing crocodile who helps a family find its voice..

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is now in theaters.

A crocodile can’t live in a house… can it? Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile asks that very question when the Primm family moves into their new New York apartment to find a crocodile living in the attic. Oh, and it can sing, too. Based on the classic children’s picture book by Bernard Waber, it’s a cute, quirky tale about finding your place in the world. A whimsical family musical that hits all the right notes, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile has bags of charm and some ludicrously catchy songs. Seriously, your kids will be singing along for days.

Throw in some silly gags and a truly heart-warming storyline and it all adds up to a family film that should put a smile on everyone’s face. Sure, it’s a little derivative, but it’s charming enough that you won’t really care.

Lyle (Shawn Mendes) is, well… a crocodile. Not a talking one, either – a singing crocodile. He’s discovered in the back of a pet store by the delightfully weird Hector P. Valenti (Javier Bardem), a vaudevillian-style entertainer who’s desperate to get his big break. But while Lyle’s soothing tones are music to Hector’s ears, there’s a catch: Lyle suffers from stage fright. But Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is about more than just a crocodile finding his voice. He helps the Primm family find theirs, too.

You see, after Hector goes back on the road, Lyle goes to live in his attic… and when the Primm family takes over the lease, it’s exactly the kind of fun, shenanigan-fuelled setup you might expect. No, it’s not hugely original. That said, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile tackles the well-worn story with a new sensitivity that sets Lyle up to be more than just a comic foil for the family.

What’s the best family film that’s based on a book?

Lyle speaks in song, so Mendes is perfect for the role – no real acting necessary. Still, he’s a very friendly kind of crocodile, helping each of the Primms to embrace life and live it on their own terms. It’s the kind of cutesy sentimentality you expect of a film like Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile… but it really works. Lyle is obviously the star of the show, super cute with a wide-eyed and hopeful innocence. That said, the Primms each bring their own desires and struggles to the table, elevating them to more than mere kids film caricatures.

Josh (Winslow Fegley) is a young boy struggling to fit in. That’s made ten times worse when he’s forced to start a new school and make new friends, but Lyle helps the self-professed weirdo find his feet. A hilarious “fight” scene between Lyle and Josh’s dad, Joseph (Scoot McNairy), helps him to find his inner strength – handy when the high-school teacher has to deal with the rowdy kids at his new school.

Equally, Javier Bardem nails it as the wondrously eccentric but down-on-his-luck Hector. In fact, he hams up the role with a vibrant energy befitting the vaudevillian-style song and dance man. There’s a lot to love about Bardem’s performance, and you might well argue that he steals every scene he’s in. Overacted? Definitely. But joyously so.

One of the big surprises comes in the form of Brett Gelman as Mr Grumps. Yes, Murray from Stranger Things is the family’s perpetually cranky neighbour. He’s a mean-spirited busybody that you just love to hate. And his appearance really helps balance the film, so it’s not too sickly sweet.

The Biggest Upcoming Movies and Release Dates | Fall Movie Preview 2022

Directors Will Speck and Josh Gordon have assembled a quirky take on the classic children’s book that stands on its own two feet. A sharp script with a modern twist from writer William Davies gives Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile enough of an edge to keep things interesting. The occasional comedy moments hit well enough, while kids of all ages will adore its toe-tapping musical numbers.

Mendes may not do any actual acting, but he does a lot of heavy lifting with the film’s soundtrack. Take A Look At Us Now is a real highlight – the kind of earworm you’ll be trying to get rid of for weeks. But you might as well give in, it’s going nowhere. And it’s joyously uplifting, too.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile isn’t hugely original, but lots of genuinely touching moments underpin a well-crafted, whimsical tale of belonging. Speck and Gordon walk a fine line between heartwarming and overly mushy, but a quirky tone and sharp script keep things from veering too far into over-sentimentality. There’s a lot to love about Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, and Bardem really sings as the aging showman while Mendes wows with some real crowd-pleasing hits. This crocodile rocks, and the kids will love him.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile adapts the classic kids book in an unexpected way, adding a touch of humor as well as a heap of catchy songs. Javier Bardem steals the show as a forgotten entertainer who thrives under the spotlight, while Lyle will steal your heart with some touching tunes and a naive innocence that’s hard not to love. Sure, it’s not exactly original, essentially a mish-mash of similar films including Hop and Sing, and most of the laughs feel familiar. But Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile conjures up enough of the old showbiz charm to win you over. It’s heartwarming, too – Lyle may be the singer, but he helps those around him find their voice, and sometimes that’s exactly what we need: a singing crocodile to just be a good pal.

More Reviews by Ryan Leston

Ign recommends.

One Man’s Quest To Become The Greatest Gamer In The World

an image, when javascript is unavailable

The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter

site categories

‘lyle, lyle, crocodile’ review: shawn mendes, constance wu and javier bardem in a family-friendly flick that gets the job done.

Mendes voices the title character in this movie based on the children's book series about a boy who befriends a singing crocodile.

By Frank Scheck

Frank Scheck

Share this article on Facebook
Share this article on Twitter
Share this article on Flipboard
Share this article on Email
Show additional share options
Share this article on Linkedin
Share this article on Pinit
Share this article on Reddit
Share this article on Tumblr
Share this article on Whatsapp
Share this article on Print
Share this article on Comment

Lyle poses for a portrait in Columbia Pictures LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE.

When you think of life-sized animated crocodiles (and who doesn’t, at least once in a while?), you don’t imagine that their singing voice is like Shawn Mendes ‘. No slight toward the 24-year-old pop star intended, but shouldn’t a crocodile sound a bit weightier? When the title character of the new live-action/CGI musical comedy Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile opens his very large mouth to sing in a high-pitched tenor voice, he sounds less like a giant-toothed predatory reptile than, I don’t know…a salamander, maybe.

Full credits

Thr newsletters.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

‘godzilla x kong: new empire’ roars to monstrous $80m box office opening, $194m globally, tim mcgovern, visual effects veteran and oscar winner for ‘total recall,’ dies at 68, amazon prime video’s new releases coming in april 2024, hollywood flashback: 25 years ago, ‘the matrix’ sent audiences down a rabbit hole, neurodiverse filmmakers and narratives take the spotlight in two new york-based film festivals, jane fonda says late “bestie” paula weinstein wanted people to honor her by supporting democrats.

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy . We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’ Review: Javier Bardem Muscles Some Magic Into Silly Musical

Share on Facebook
Share to Flipboard
Share on LinkedIn
Show more sharing options
Submit to Reddit
Post to Tumblr
Print This Page
Share on WhatsApp

Whatever associations you may have with Lyle the crocodile, you probably didn’t imagine him crooning like Shawn Mendes. Based on Bernard Waber’s beloved children’s book originally published in 1965, the existence of a “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” movie proves nothing is sacred in Hollywood — especially nostalgic childhood storybooks.

If a CGI crocodile with the dulcet tenor of a pop idol seems at odds with Waber’s freehand illustrations, Javier Bardem is perfectly in step as eccentric showman Hector P. Valenti, star of stage and screen. Bardem’s lesser-seen playful side is on full display in “Lyle,” as he hoofs his way across New York City with madcap gusto. The minute he leaves the croc to fend for himself at the house on East 88th Street, his absence is sorely felt by all — not just lonely Lyle. Along with a few bouncy numbers from “The Greatest Showman” duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Bardem is the driving force behind “Lyle,” and the train loses major steam without its kooky conductor.

The movie opens with Hector’s shenanigans, as he’s seen sneaking through a hotel kitchen into an audition for “Show Us What You Got,” an “America’s Got Talent” spoof. Dejected when his hidden pigeon act fails to impress, he wanders into an exotic pet store in search of magic. Hearing a beautiful voice coming from the mouth of a tiny crocodile, his eyes light up. “Hector P. Valenti, star of stage and screen,” he says by way of introduction. “At your service.”

Moving Lyle into his ornate family townhouse, the odd couple launch into the jaunty opening number “Take a Look at Us Now.” It’s here Bardem first shows his Old Hollywood chops, doing his best Donald O’Connor as he leaps on chairs and slides across floors while solidly holding his own opposite Mendes’ mellifluous tone. The triumphant number ends in defeat, however, when Lyle chokes during their big stage debut. Having leveraged the house on East 88th Street in the deal, Hector hits the road with his old act, assuring Lyle he’ll be back in “two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”

Eighteen months later, the Primm family arrives at East 88th Street, where they are rather generously being housed by the private school that hired dad (Scoot McNairy). Fresh from the suburbs, nervous young Josh (Winslow Fegley) jumps at every street noise, and uses a walking app to carefully plot his exact route to school. They share the house with a cantankerous neighbor aptly named Mr. Grumps, played by the always funny Brett Gelman. Filling the dead space left by Bardem, Gelman does amazing things as the kids’ movie version of a Bond villain, aided by a codependent relationship with a ridiculously fluffy cat named Loretta.

Everything changes for Josh when he discovers Lyle in the attic, who eventually reveals himself to the boy as the singing sweetie he is. He shows Josh a new side of the city in the poppy semi-ballad “At the Top of the World Tonight,” taking him to beautiful rooftops and sharing the pleasures (for a crocodile, anyway) of dumpster diving. Equipped with this newfound New York gumption, Josh no longer needs his mom (Constance Wu, how far she’s come from “Fresh Off the Boat”) to walk him to school, even feeling confident enough to talk to his crush. Mom and Dad are naturally shocked when they meet Lyle, though he wins them over by reminding them of some youthful joy they had forgotten.

The pace picks back up when Hector returns, citing an obscure clause in the lease to take up residence in the attic for fifteen days. Lyle is skeptical of his friend who abandoned him, but he easily wins the Primms over with his charisma. With his creditors at his heels, Hector has a few more tricks up his sleeve, though he eventually proves himself worthy of wholesome Lyle and the Primms.

Directed by Will Speck and Josh Gordon (“Office Christmas Party”) with a script by William Davies (“Puss in Boots”), “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” is a distinctly 2022 Hollywood concoction. It combines the fun of a cute animated crocodile with the bopping charms of a musical, and throws in the few odd characters like Hector and Mr. Grumps to keep the grown-ups chuckling. The smoothly bland Pasek and Paul songs will get many repeat Spotify plays from kids who likely won’t see the movie. On paper, it should all work. But, like Hector’s act, it’s just missing that magic factor.

Sony releases “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” in theaters on Friday, October 7.

Most Popular

Notice: All forms on this website are temporarily down for maintenance. You will not be able to complete a form to request information or a resource. We apologize for any inconvenience and will reactivate the forms as soon as possible.

DVD & Streaming

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

Comedy , Kids , Musical

Content Caution

In Theaters

October 7, 2022
Winslow Fegley as Josh Primm; Shawn Mendes as Lyle; Javier Bardem as Hector P. Valenti; Constancce Wu as Mrs. Primm; Scoot McNairy as Mr. Joseph Primm; Brett Gelman as Mr. Grumps; Lyric Hurd as Trudy

Home Release Date

November 22, 2022
Josh Gordon; Will Speck

Distributor

Columbia Pictures

Movie Review

Hector Valenti just knows he’s this close to achieving fame and, more importantly, getting rich. If he can simply find the right act, the hit talent show Show Us What You Got will sign him, and he’ll be right on his way to wealthy stardom.

Unfortunately, his singing audition didn’t work, and his magic act wasn’t quite refined enough: Those pigeons just wouldn’t leave his top hat. Maybe it’s time to try another animal, he thinks.

And when he visits an exotic pet store, he finds exactly what he’s looking for: a singing crocodile whom he names Lyle. Now, with Lyle at his side, there’s nothing holdin’ him back. He’ll rent a stage to showcase Lyle’s talent. And as soon as Lyle starts to sing, reality fame will be right around the corner.

Well, except for the fact that Lyle has horrific stage fright, choking up at the first sight of the audience.

That’s particularly bad news for Hector. He just put his house up as collateral for the theater, and a non-singing crocodile doesn’t exactly rake in the needed cash. So now, Hector has to leave to get more money, leaving Lyle living in the attic of his Manhattan apartment while he’s away.

That was 18 months ago, and now, the Primm family is moving into that same Manhattan apartment—unaware that their whole world is about to become a bit more … reptilian .

Positive Elements

Though much can be said about the dubious qualities of Hector’s greed for money, he doesn’t get angry at Lyle for his stage fright, even though it means he loses his apartment as a result. Though Hector never fully gets over his desire for money, he does learn that it’s not as important as genuine relationships.

Lyle’s singing and actions help each member of the Primm family to become more confident in their respective areas of life: for young Josh, it’s confidence in school. For Josh’s mother, she becomes closer with Josh (as she had briefly struggled with not being Josh’s biological mother), and she learns to let him experience some things by himself. And for Josh’s father, he becomes a more confident and competent teacher.

In turn, Josh shows concern when Hector pushes Lyle to perform with him on stage. Josh recognizes that Lyle doesn’t want to sing for an audience; he just wants to be with a family. And when the stage performance goes poorly, Josh has encouraging words to say.

“Just so you know,” Josh tells Lyle, “I don’t care if you sing or not. I still think you’re awesome.”

Additionally, at a moment when Josh believes all hope is lost, another character tells him that he shouldn’t give up hope because miracles can still happen.

Spiritual Elements

A song lyric reads, “Something’s ready to wreck your day, you can pray that it goes away, or let something wild and wonderful break through.” Otherwise, nothing else, unless you count seeing a poster for the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat .

Sexual Content

Josh’s parents share a few quick kisses throughout the film. Hector bathes in the tub with Lyle, though nothing is shown. Additionally, Josh’s father walks in on Hector while he’s in the shower: nothing more than his chest is shown to the audience, but Josh’s father, unfortunately, does not have the same good fortune.

Lyle is also walked in on by Josh’s mom, and he “covers up” with his scarf (though he’s typically not wearing clothes throughout the film anyway). Josh’s father wears a tight wrestling singlet during a wrestling match. Josh’s mother is seen in a sports bra. Lyle accidentally gets underwear from a clothesline stuck on his head. Josh’s dad finds that his wife is happier than usual, and he asks her if there’s someone else, alluding to an affair. Hector slaps his rear in a dance.

Violent Content

Josh’s dad and Lyle have an intense wrestling match. Josh is slammed to the ground during wrestling practice. Josh is nearly hit by a car when he runs out into traffic. A mugger attempts to take Josh’s phone, and Lyle spits up on the man, causing him to flee. Lyle accidentally swallows a cat when it jumps into his mouth. (Not to worry though, as it is soon vomited back out.)

Hector breaks into a zoo and handcuffs a guard to a fence. Hector is thrown from a moving vehicle by angry loan sharks. Hector causes a man to slip on marbles. Josh’s father tackles a man. Wildlife Control prod and tranquilize Lyle. A crocodile (one who isn’t Lyle) tries to eat a man. A sidecar crashes into a theater. A cat is slammed against the back of a car window (from the inside) when the vehicle suddenly speeds up.

Crude or Profane Language

God’s name is misused four times. In the song “Rip Up the Recipe,” a lyric reads “when the sugar hits the fan,” a reference to a much more unsweet saying.

Drug and Alcohol Content

A couple of characters have a glass of wine. Mr. Gross asks if Hector has been drinking, to which Hector replies that he has because he finds the world is better with a glass of champagne.

Other Negative Elements

A man named Mr. Grumps is, indeed, quite grumpy and rude. He even goes so far as to say that people make the “mistake” of having a second child. Josh, his mother and Lyle dumpster dive together, and Lyle forces Josh to eat some food from the garbage. Josh says he hates someone. The underaged Josh flees police and drives a motorcycle.

Josh and his mother belch. A crocodile passes gas. A cat has diarrhea. And while we don’t see the end result, we do see the cat’s processes and hear flatulating noises.

[ Spoiler Warning ] We discover that Hector sold out Lyle for money, allowing Mr. Grumps to call Wildlife Control to take the crocodile away.

I distinctly remember cracking open Bernard Waber’s children’s book Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile when I was little. The lovable reptile brought joy to everyone around him (apart from the incessantly irate Mr. Grumps).

I think very few could have guessed, however, that the crocodile would one day get his own musical comedy film with songs written by the same guys who wrote the music for The Greatest Showman . Even fewer, likely, would have put money on Shawn Mendes voicing (or, more accurately, singing) Lyle.

True to his nature, the Lyle in this movie boosts the spirits of everyone he meets—most notably, the Primm family. Each of them are quite terrified when they cross paths with Lyle in their house—which, that’s quite understandable. I’d freak out too if I found a croc in my hallway, no matter how well it wears its scarf. But once Lyle reveals his ability to sing and affirms that he’s, indeed, not a threat, he changes the Primm family’s lives for the better.

As for the film’s content, parents can expect your standard children’s movie toilet humor. But they also may want to hear of a couple other issues that, while not awful , might feel a bit inappropriate in a kid’s film: a couple references to drinking, a couple misuses of God’s name, a couple jokes centralized on being walked in on while showering. Jokes like these (and a few more, more fully explained in our respective content sections) might cause some considerations to be had.

Yes, the plot sometimes feels like it could use some work, and a couple of characters could be more refined. But that’s my adult brain talking—the kids won’t care about that. Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is generally a fun movie that points to its source material while still taking some creative liberties to make the story a bit more engaging for adults tagging along with their kids to see it.

Parents should, however, check out the mild content concerns listed in our full review to determine whether they’ll leave their crocodile viewings to visits to the zoo.

Kennedy Unthank

Kennedy Unthank studied journalism at the University of Missouri. He knew he wanted to write for a living when he won a contest for “best fantasy story” while in the 4th grade. What he didn’t know at the time, however, was that he was the only person to submit a story. Regardless, the seed was planted. Kennedy collects and plays board games in his free time, and he loves to talk about biblical apologetics. He doesn’t think the ending of Lost was “that bad.”

Latest Reviews

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Someone Like You

Ordinary Angels

Weekly reviews straight to your inbox.

Entertainment

‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’ review: A musical showstopper this is not

Movie review.

The family that dumpster dives together thrives together. This I learned from “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.”

Truly. Really. Look at them grin and cavort amid the food scraps in an activity that the movie will have us know tightens the familial bond. Strange behavior for a family that can afford a tasteful brownstone on New York’s pricey East 88th Street.

And the bonding agent that incites all this frankly ferocious jollity is a great big CG crocodile answering to the name of Lyle who lives in the attic of that brownstone. He’s a good-hearted lug who brings reptilian-sized smiles to the faces of the humans he interacts with. That is, after they’ve stopped shrieking with terror upon their first encounter with him. Good heavens, what very large teeth you have.

He’s multitalented, he is. In addition to frolicking in garbage, he dances. He sings. He doesn’t talk, though. It’s through the tunes he belts out that he communicates. Those tunes are mostly courtesy of composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and mostly delivered by popular pop singer Shawn Mendes, the voice of Lyle.

They’re big bravura songs, full of life-affirming messaging because this is a relentlessly upbeat picture that aspires to be a big-deal musical, like, I don’t know, maybe “Cats,” or somesuch. Sadly, they’re not particularly memorable tunes, try though they might to be perceived as such.

And boy do they try. The whole picture is an exercise in obvious effort, try, try, trying really hard to win the audience’s affection. However it only succeeds in trying the audience’s patience. It’s a trial.

You can practically see the glisten of perspiration on the actors’ faces from the effort everyone is making to put their characters across. Their roles seem like ill-fitting clothing worn awkwardly.

And it’s a talented cast, headed by Javier Bardem playing a second-rate magician who discovers and seeks to exploit Lyle’s song-and-dance talents, and Constance Wu playing the mother of the socially anxious young kid (Winslow Fegley) who is brought out of his phobic shell by the effusive Lyle.

The picture is based on the kids book series by author Bernard Waber that dates back to the 1960s. In fact, though, a more obvious antecedent is “One Froggy Evening,” the Chuck Jones cartoon classic from the 1950s, with Lyle following in the webbed footsteps of Michigan J. Frog.

Like that famed amphibian, Lyle only reveals his talents to a select few folks. Bardem’s character, Hector P. Valenti, and the Primm family — mother, son and father (Scoot McNairy) — are in that number. Like the luckless nameless discoverer of Michigan J., Valenti is ruined when he seeks to promote Lyle to the world at large via a big stage show only to have Lyle clam up when the curtain goes up. Stage fright mutes him, to Valenti’s consternation and the audience’s derision.

Poor Bardem. Sporting a mustache as unconvincing as his performance, he’s defeated by the trite screenplay by Will Davies and the unimaginative direction of Josh Gordon and Will Speck. To compensate, he overacts up a storm. Worse by far is the performance by Brett Gelman in the role of the aptly named Mr. Grumps. Harrumphing and sneering as the Primms’ pettish downstairs neighbor, Gelman grates.

“Lyle” wraps up with a garish showstopping conclusion in which the critter, to absolutely no one’s surprise, belts out the razzmatazz final number.

Feel the cheer. Heed the noise. Stagger out in stunned silence at the awfulness of it all.

W ith Javier Bardem, Constance Wu, Winslow Fegley, Scoot McNairy, Brett Gelman and the voice of Shawn Mendes as Lyle. Directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck from a screenplay by Will Davies. 106 minutes. Rated PG for mild peril and thematic elements . Opens Oct. 6 at multiple theaters.

'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile' Review: Shawn Mendes Sure Is a Singing Crocodile!

Rarely has a film raised so many pressing questions with the foremost of them all being... why?

When the very first visionaries of cinema were discovering how to create art via moving pictures, do you think they imagined it would be used to show Javier Bardem slapping his ass at a crocodile voiced by Shawn Mendes ? Or that it would show Constance Wu drawing a Titanic-esque portrait of that same crocodile? Or Scoot McNairy being given a wedgie in a wrestling singlet by his reptilian opponent? Well, that is what they would experience in Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile , an adaptation of the children’s books of the same name that is certainly longer in length though lacks the necessary heart and humor to hit all the right notes.

The story begins with the suave yet struggling magician, Hector P. Valenti (Bardem), who is trying to make a name for himself. After getting kicked out of an audition for the film’s version of America’s Got Talent when the birds meant to explode out from his sleeves failed to fully do so, he realizes that he is going to need to find a new animal component to his act. Thus, he steps into a nearby pet store and stumbles upon a surprising discovery that is hidden away in the back. It is there that we get introduced to Lyle (Mendes) who initially looks more like the Geico Gecko than a full-sized crocodile. However, instead of selling car insurance, the creature confounds Hector with his singing talents. Thinking he has found his ticket to the big time, the magician then whisks Lyle away and begins rehearsing for a big show the two will put on. The only problem is that, when the curtain comes up, his crocodile companion gets struck by stage fright and freezes. Thus, as one does, Hector decides to abandon him alone in the attic of his home while he goes out on the road to make money wherever he can on his own.

RELATED: 'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile' Cast and Character Guide: Who's Who in Sony's Musical Comedy?

Eighteen months later, the Primm family moves into this same New York brownstone, unaware of the longtime resident who is still living upstairs. The young Josh ( Winslow Fegley ) is nervous about the move, reciting crime statistics about the area to his bemused parents. His father, Joseph (McNairy), has moved them here for his new teaching job and his stepmother, Katie (Wu), is looking to spend more time connecting with him in addition to getting all of them to eat more healthily. Then there is the downstairs neighbor, Mr. Grumps ( Brett Gelman ), whose name tells you everything you need to know about his character.

It has all the broad sketches of the picture book source material, specifically the 1962 book The House on East 88th Street , though makes it into a live-action work that often feels visually flat. If you are a child who has grown up on these works, then it is hard not to be disappointed with the decision to change the presentation so drastically. For much of the film, there is a sense that it ought to have been animated to capture the slapstick and silliness more fully. Indeed, the lovely 1987 animated musical TV special currently on HBO shows this in action. Alas, that was not what we got and just leaves one wondering why it was made this way.

The nearly two-hour film largely banks on the star power of Mendes and his singing talents. It is hard to call it a performance as Lyle doesn’t actually talk and communicates entirely through song, likely to play to the pop star’s strengths. While his recent albums have received generally favorable reviews of late, one can’t help but wonder if his songs really are the type of music that younger audiences will actually connect with. There are original songs that were written for the film, from the team behind the recent musical The Greatest Showman , though none end up being all that memorable once they pass.

The standout and most dynamic scene is the one we get with Wu who really gives it her all in a duo with the crocodile. One wishes that the film had taken more advantage of her talents instead of getting caught up in a surprisingly busy plot. The family relationships get pushed to the side for an HOA dispute subplot or a cat with irritable bowel syndrome which, as we all know, is always something that kids are clamoring for in their movies. It tries to tap into some sort of modern TikTok humor with its own version of the platform, but it mostly just elicits groans. Then there is the inevitable return of Hector who the film can’t decide what to do with once he reappears.

While a completely different film in almost every regard, Bardem already gave a great performance in this year’s The Good Boss that showed his capacity to hit all the necessary comedic and dramatic notes. While he certainly commits to this character just enough to elevate it a bit, the experience lacks magic or wonder. It does spend quite a bit of time exploring the world of dumpster diving, which was how Lyle survived when left alone, in a manner that serves as an unintentional metaphor. You can certainly clean off food that has been discarded enough to make it digestible, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you will enjoy the meal being presented to you. This all is helmed by the directing duo of Will Speck and Josh Gordon who typically have made more middling comedies in the past such as 2016’s Office Christmas Party . Even as it is far cuter in concept and occasionally charming as a family-friendly comedy, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is still not that much different. Whatever joy you get in individual moments is lost in the shuffle of a film that far overstays its welcome.

The target demographic of kids is more likely to get bored than anything else because of just how long it keeps going. We get glimpses of slapstick and silliness though not enough to really appreciate for more than a fleeting moment. There is enough material here for about a good 90-minute comedy at the absolute maximum and the longer this goes on the more it starts to wear thin. For kids who grew up on the books, there isn’t much that will be recognizable save for the basic structure of the plot. Other viewers may appreciate it more as they wouldn’t know what they’re missing, though that feels unlikely. It all ends up feeling like the type of film you put on for a kid to fall asleep to. Beyond that, it is hard to imagine Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile becoming a comedy classic that audiences will want to revisit anytime soon.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile premieres in theaters on October 7.

Review: ‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’ is a croc that doesn’t exactly rock

A crocodile wearing a scarf poses on a couch.

Show more sharing options
Copy Link URL Copied!

“Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” is indeed a strange beast, both the animal — a city-dwelling croc with the voice of an angel — and the movie, which is also a sort of monstrous hybrid of unexpected tones. Based on the children’s book series by Bernard Waber and adapted by Will Davies, “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” is directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck , who are known for more adult comedies like “Office Christmas Party,” “The Switch” and “Blades of Glory,” and they bring a bit of that ironic sensibility to the film, which is both a blessing and a curse.

It’s clear every adult in the room is in on the joke in the over-the-top “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile,” including Gordon and Speck, as well as Scoot McNairy and Constance Wu, who play Mr. and Mrs. Primm, the gobsmacked couple who find themselves cohabitating with Lyle in a Manhattan brownstone after their son, Josh ( Winslow Fegley ), befriends the creature.

For your safety

The Times is committed to reviewing theatrical film releases during the COVID-19 pandemic . Because moviegoing carries risks during this time, we remind readers to follow health and safety guidelines as outlined by the CDC and local health officials .

The campy tone is emphasized, especially by Brett Gelman , who gives a bravura comedic turn as their downstairs neighbor and cat enthusiast, Mr. Grumps, and Javier Bardem, who goes for broke in what can only be described as a tour de force performance of tragic clownery playing magician-musician Hector P. Valenti. The showman originally discovered Lyle singing the salsa classic “I Like It Like That” in the back of a pet shop, and he has Col. Tom Parker dreams dancing in his head, hoping to make a buck off Lyle’s talent. Bardem, it must be said, is simply mesmerizing.

But the heart of the movie, Fegley, doesn’t seem aware of these winks or nudges, as he delivers a performance of pure pathos as a lonely kid longing for a pet. After an initial shock, Josh is thrilled to discover Lyle, who has been stowing away in the attic listening to an iPod while Hector is out hitting the boards trying to scare up some cash, and the two bond over several bouts of dumpster diving.

Most humans are, understandably, terrified when encountering the enormous apex predator wearing a jaunty scarf. But when Lyle opens his jaws, it’s not to chomp on a head but to let loose his dulcet tones, courtesy of pop star Shawn Mendes . His repertoire includes classic tunes, as well as original Broadway-style belters composed by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

“Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” goes for a kind of “Clifford the Big Red Dog” vibe, with the whole “fantastical pet in New York City” plot, but there’s not enough connective tissue in the writing, which feels choppy and abrupt. Pasek and Paul’s songs end up having to do much of the emotional heavy lifting, and the rest of the film feels cobbled together from random parts scavenged from other kids movies and pop culture ephemera.

The main conflict is Lyle’s stage fright, which prevents Hector from monetizing his discovery. A TikTok-like app called Sweep is introduced, seemingly the perfect solution for the stage fright and an apt contemporary reference, but that is swept aside for a hackneyed climax featuring a chase across New York City to perform onstage at an “America’s Got Talent”-type show called “Show Us What You’ve Got” so that Lyle can have his Susan Boyle moment. It just all feels rather dated.

In moments, “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” is a warm and whimsical family adventure comedy, but at other times, it’s a hallucinatory fever dream. Both are fine options, but the purgatory in between these tones is too strange to actually work. But what do I know? The kids and parents at the screening erupted in applause at the end, so apparently, a star has been born.

Katie Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic.

‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’

Rated: PG for mild peril and thematic elements Running time: 1 hour, 46 minutes Playing: Starts Oct. 7 in general release

How do you direct ‘Godzilla x Kong’? Adam Wingard took performance notes from his cat

March 29, 2024

Review: Despite starring a possessed stuffed animal, the dull ‘Imaginary’ is close to unbearable

March 7, 2024

(L-R) Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson Credit: Brian Roedel

Review: In ‘The Iron Claw,’ wrestling brothers compete in the ring but fall to an ogre outside it

Dec. 22, 2023

Only good movies

Get the Indie Focus newsletter, Mark Olsen's weekly guide to the world of cinema.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

More From the Los Angeles Times

The title characters of "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" roar.

Entertainment & Arts

‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ smashes its way to $80 million. How it won the box office

Only use as promo images for The 1999 Project: AI and The Matrix

The movies went soft on AI. ‘The Matrix’ reminds us why it’s so dangerous

March 31, 2024

Review: In ‘Wicked Little Letters,’ the shock value feels about a century too late

March 30, 2024

Three people have a discussion on a rooftop porch.

Review: In the cryptic ‘The Shadowless Tower,’ connection is stymied by a murky past

Shawn Mendes’ ‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’ Movie Is the Next ‘Cats’—in the Best Way

DOING SCALES

The screwball musical casts the pop star as a singing reptile. Everything about it is bizarre—and yet, somehow, it works. Yes, this is a rave for the Shawn Mendes Crocodile Movie.

Fletcher Peters

Entertainment Reporter

Sony Pictures

The first time you hear Shawn Mendes’ angelic voice coming out of a tiny, sweet baby crocodile, your life will change. For better or for worse, I can’t tell you, but it’s certainly going to be altered forever.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is one of Mendes’ first big voice acting roles (though one might hesitate to call anything he does in the movie “acting;” more on that later…), and the film is a true triumph. Though the musical, with catchy tunes by the folks who did The Greatest Showman and La La Land , is marketed for children, fans of bombastic movies like Cats and The Room might also enjoy its lighthearted goofiness. Will Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile become a cult movie? Only time will tell, but I’d certainly like to attend a rowdy screening at the nearest Alamo Drafthouse .

We meet Lyle (Mendes) as he hums along to “I Like It” by Cardi B, a wonderfully kooky song for a baby crocodile to be shimmying to in the back of a pet store. He is the saving grace for Hector P. Valenti ( Javier Bardem ), a down-on-his-luck showman searching for a new act to revive his show. The failed magician ducks into the nearest pet shop and begs the owner for something cute. (The pigeons he was using weren’t cutting it.) Enter a tiny belting croc with big eyes and the voice of a pop legend. Lyle is his new prized possession.

The adorable pair (seriously, Bardem waltzing with a pipsqueak reptile brought the biggest smile to my face) practice a new routine to take on tour, sporting sequined red vests and those Wizard of Oz tap shoes. There’s just one problem: Lyle has terrible stage fright. With no other recourse, Hector abandons him in his New York City home and goes on tour alone, promising to be back soon—hopefully with enough money to keep them afloat.

Lyle isn’t alone for long. When Hector doesn’t return, he’s joined by the house’s new residents, the Primm family. He takes a liking to the family’s nervous young son Josh (Winslow Fegley), but, soon, the entire Primm family is singing, dancing, and falling in love with sweet, now-grown Lyle. Lyle can’t talk, but he can sing a tune better than Lea Michele . Yet things aren’t all hunky-dory: Nearby neighbors start to grow wary of the noises coming from the Primms' apartment building, and at any moment, Lyle could be evicted and sent to the zoo.

The fact that Lyle can’t speak is an easy out for Mendes, who doesn’t have to do any actual acting to play the role. But this lack of character creates an uncanny connection between the croc and his voice. Whenever he opens his mouth and Mendes’ dreamy voice echoes over the film, it’s surreal. The crocodile only growls, snorts, and coughs, until he’s bellowing Stevie Wonder in the bathtub...sounding just like Shawn Mendes. The incongruence between this leathery reptile and his smooth singing voice might remind viewers of a similarly bizarro film: Cats .

Cats canonically exists in the world of Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile ; one pesky neighbor character dons a shirt from the film as he sleeps beside his precious pet cat, who is as poorly animated as Dame Judi Dench is in the 2019 horror (kidding) fantasy. The cat has farty diarrhea. The croc is frequently dumpster diving. They samba on rooftops in New York City. Given all of this madness, it’s a wonder Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile didn’t find room for James Corden in its cast.

This is all to say: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is an exciting watch, even for those without children. Come for the Shawn Mendes of it all— why did he do this film—and stay for Javier Bardem decked out in Gators gear , Scoot McNairy wrestling a CGI crocodile with his bare hands, and Constance Wu baking three-tier cakes with an animated reptile. New Yorkers will also chuckle over the 4, 5, and 6 subway lines being yellow, red, and green, as well as a cringe over the grungy banquet scene consisting of food littered around NYC dumpsters. Prawn with New York trash goo, anyone?

But primed as it is to be an ironic cult movie, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is also touching—especially for children. The music, put together by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, is as catchy as any Shawn Mendes tune (he’s known for hits like “Stitches” and “Treat You Better”), and fans of the original Bernard Waber storybook will delight in the knockoff drawings of the character hidden around the Primm family household. The story is one of companionship, of finding a place in a big city, and of singing loud for all to hear—yes, it’s a little fish-out-of-water like Elf , too.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile isn’t as charming as The Greatest Showman , nor is it as gonzo as Cats , but with elements from both stories, it’s got enough pleasantness to make it a hit. Shawn Mendes might not be remembered for being a crocodile, but Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile will be remembered for turning the pop legend into one.

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here .

READ THIS LIST

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Review: Javier Bardem Lifts Musical Adaptation

A singing and dancing crocodile (Shawn Mendes) hides in the Primm family attic on East 88th Street. Based on the children's books by Bernard Waber.

A singing and dancing crocodile enriches the lives of a timid boy, his parents, and flamboyant showman in bustling New York City. Based on the beloved children's books by Bernard Waber, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile will entrance the youngest tykes. Big-budget CGI animation and Shawn Mendes' soaring vocals will have them dancing in the aisles. Their parents won't be as entertained. The family drama and bad neighbor subplots are too simplistic. Javier Bardem gives the best effort to bridge the gap between age groups. He's a firecracker that lights up the screen with talent and infectious energy.

Hector P. Valenti (Bardem) gets tossed on the street after trying to audition for America's biggest televised talent show. His goofy act has nothing extraordinary. Hector's hopes brighten after a chance trip to a nearby pet store. He's shocked to see a baby crocodile singing in his cage. Hector purchases the crooning reptile with dreams of stardom. He returns to his family's brownstone on East 88th Street for serious training. Hector calls him Lyle (Mendes) then discovers he can sing but can't talk. Hector leverages the house to pay for Lyle's big debut.

Eighteen months later, the house on East 88th Street is rented to the Primm family. Joseph (Scoot McNairy) has gotten a job heading the math department of a local school. His son, Josh (Winslow Fegley), is terrified of moving to the city and making new friends. Katie (Constance Wu), Joseph's wife and Josh's stepmother, tries her best to get them acclimated. It doesn't help to have a nasty downstairs neighbor, Mr. Grumps (Brett Gelman).

Josh hears singing in the attic. He freaks out meeting Lyle. Terror turns to friendship as the sweet croc helps Josh out of his shell. Soon all the Primms are enamored by Lyle. Complications arise when Hector returns out of the blue. Mr. Grumps senses they're trying to hide something big.

Related: Bromates Review: Silly Buddy Comedy Gets Laughs

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Has Production Value

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile has high production values. The croc, New York City set pieces, and townhouse look great. Fans of the books will enjoy seeing the classic drawings come to life. The anthropomorphized Lyle has round, sweet eyes that emote his endearing nature. He's never scary. Scenes of him eyeing critters hungrily are humorous not aggressive. Every scene with Lyle is well-done and a credit to the visual effects team.

The film snoozes with Primm family travails. McNairy, Wu, and young Fegley have scant chemistry together. Their interactions look staged. Wu's Katie feels loss for missing out on Josh's early years as a stepmom. Her efforts to get closer to him don't resonate as they should. The conflicts with Mr. Grumps are also ridiculous. His mean persona goes overboard. Thankfully, Bardem's Hector brings warmth and sizzle. He outshines everyone hooting, hollering, and jigging up a storm with Lyle.

No hate mail please, but I didn't have any familiarity with Shawn Mendes. The Canadian singer sounds good belting out original tunes by songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The music will be a big draw for Mendes' significant following. Extravagant dance numbers with Hector and Lyle should also be crowd-pleasers.

Hector and the Primms dress up in Florida Gators merchandise to take Lyle for an outside excursion. This tickled my funny bone as a die-hard University of Florida alumni. It's a clever scene that appeals to kids and adults. Go Gators! I'll assume the filmmakers couldn't find a cool croc mascot.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is a production of Columbia Pictures, Eagle Pictures, Hutch Parker Entertainment, and TSG Entertainment. It will be released theatrically on October 6th from Sony Pictures .

Jason's Movie Blog

A movie blog for movie reviews, trailers, and more.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022) Review

A SOLID FAMILY MUSICAL THAT

Plenty of song in its heart.

Adapting a well-familiar and / or popular narrative from literature has been around for quite some time, with Hollywood finding interest in proven stories to translate into cinematic tales. Within this grouping selective “page to screen” film adaptations, the idea of children or kid’s literature has always been fertile ground for producing kid-friendly movies throughout the years….be it animated or live-action. With so many authors out there (both classic and newer titles), the choices are numerous and bountiful, especially in extrapolating some of the most popular children’s books, including both chapter books and picture books, that are ripe for a silver screen treatment. Such perfect examples of these have derive from some memorable motion picture iterations of beloved stories, including Robert C. O’Brien’s Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (1982’s The Secret of NIMH ), Munro Leaf’s The Story of Ferdinand (2017’s Ferdinand ), a variety of Dr. Seuss’s works (2008’s Horton Hears A Who!, 2012’s The Lorax , and 2018’s The Grinch ), multiple novels from Roald Dahl’s (1971’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory , 1996’s James and the Giant Peach , 1996’s Matilda o, and 2016’s The BFG ), and several pictures books from Chris Van Allsburg (1995’s Jumanji , 2004’s Polar Express , and 2005’s Zathura ) just to name a few. Now, Sony / Columbia Pictures and directors Will Speck and Josh Gordon present the latest film adapted from children’s literature in the movie Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile ; based on works by Bernard Waber. Does this “book to film” of this feature film reimagining translates well to the silver screen or is it a messy and shallow endeavor that can’t speak to its source material?

Hector P. Valenti (Javier Bardem) is a charismatic and aspiring entertainer yet has struggled to find his way into show business and unable to impress others with his magic tricks and stage performance. While dealing with yet another failure of magic act, Hector hopes to change the course of his career with an exotic animal, soon discovering Lyle (Shawn Mendes), a special crocodile with an incredible singing voice. Hope to cash in all Lyle’s musical talent, Hector spends all of his money to the crocodile a star, but soon learns that the reptile is painfully shy, unable to come alive before the masses. Disappointed, Hector leaves New York City to find a paycheck, leaving Lyle in his home. Sometime later, new owners Katie Primm (Constance Wu) and Joseph Primm (Scoot McNairy) take up residence in Hector’s building, joined by their son, Josh (Winslow Fegley), who’s struggling at school, feeling an outsider in his new surroundings. His life improves when he meets Lyle, who tries to communicate through song, working to help his new family deal with self-esteem issues.

THE GOOD / THE BAD

When I was younger, I had very little interest in reading. Yes, I did eventually become a great reader as became an adult, but reading when I was younger, especially elementary and middle school, was very difficult for me as I lacked confidence to read due to my learning disability (was never self-conscious about it). However, seeing a wide variety of movies that were based on children’s literature narratives was my “gateway” of learning kid’s stories…. both classical and modern tales from authors. By doing this, I gained an appreciation for movie storytelling (and my love of films in general) and the stories behind told within the original source material (of which the movie was based off of). Stuff like The Secrets of NIMH , Matilda , Mary Poppins , and The Wizard of Oz were some narratives that I learned from watching the movies as well as several other popular stories from prominent children’s authors. Naturally, some of the kid’s picture books I remember having my parents (and grandparents) reading them for me as bedtime stories and recalled watching the film adaptations when they were released in film iterations, including Jumanji , The Polar Express , Where the Wild Things Are , Ferdinand , and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs . To summarize this paragraph, I believe (and do strongly urge others out there) that a great way to get kids reading is to choose particular books / novels that are paired with movies, which will allow a person’s mind and / or their imagination to grow, flourish, and get lost in some colorful and meaningful tales for all ages and reading levels.

This brings me back around to talk about Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile , a 2022 animated / live-action hybrid musical comedy and the latest film adaptation of children’s literature. Since I used to work at a bookstore for more than 15 years, I do remember hearing about the movie’s source material, for I use to shelve many books throughout my bookstore tenure, which included kid’s picture books. I do recall remember seeing / shelving Waber’s picture books (The House on East 88 th Street and Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile), but never read them. Even when I was growing up, I didn’t have a chance to read this book. Yet, I knew of it. So, when I vague heard that Sony was going to develop a film surrounding Waber’s novel of a crocodile that lives in a Victorian House in the city (with a family), my interest perked up a bit. After that, I really didn’t hear much about the project until the film’s movie trailer dropped during the summer of 2022. I did see the trailer many times when I went on my weekly outing to the movie theater during the “coming attractions” preview, especially for mostly PG or PG-13 films that I went to see. From the trailer alone, it looked pretty good. Nothing original or anything I haven’t seeing before, but it looked like it was going to be a fun kid’s romp, especially with musician Shawn Mendes singing throughout the movie as well as lyrics being done by minds behind The Greatest Showman songs. From that alone, I was quite interested to see the movie. So, I decided to check out Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile during its opening weekend on October 7 th , 2022. However, while I was playing “catch-up” with some of my back catalogue of movie reviews that I needed to get done prior to this feature, I had to push back getting my review done for this movie. On the brighter side, I finally now I have some “free time” to write and share my personal thoughts on this particular film. And what did I think of it? Well, I actually liked it. While it plays a little bit “fast and loose” with its characters and story, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile still manages to be a lighthearted fun and lyrical entertaining endeavor that quite easily a solid “kid friendly” feature for the whole family. It’s not a perfect film, but still has plenty of charm to sometimes overlook those blemishes.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (will be abbreviating it as “ L,L,C ” for most of this review) is directed by the duo Will Speck and Josh Gordon, whose collaborations together as directors has produced several comedy endeavors, including Blades of Glory , The Switch , and Office Christmas Party . Given their background in mostly comedic levity narratives, Speck / Gordon seems like capable directors for helming such a project like L,L,C, with a story that has plenty of kid-friendly humor from its source material. Thus, the directors approach the material with a sense of appreciation of the narrative, but also interject their own personal style and flair within the film adaptation; creating a story that speaks to Waber’s books (the movie loosely combines Waber’s “The House on East 88 th Street” and its sequel “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile”), yet still manages to stand on its own two feet (much like Lyle…hehehe). Thus, this isn’t just a standard carbon copy of a “page to screen” endeavor, with Speck / Gordon prompting the feature to have its own swagger and nuances that both respects Waber’s material, but also utilizes modern day tropes and aesthetics for a kid’s movie. As to be expected, the movie itself is very cute and charming. From the opening scene to the time the credits begin to roll, Speck / Gordon makes L,L,C quite the endearing to watch and keeps the feature filled with lighthearted tones and antics that will engage its viewers in a whimsical tale. The heart of the feature feels like a kids’ book in a proper cinematic representation and has the fanciful sweetness through much of the scenes…. whether it is comedic gags or lovable family values. It’s all there, so I definitely think that Speck / Gordon hits their marks on making L,L,C quite easily accessible for all ages with a special tale that has meaning as well as being delightful.

Naturally, this leads into the soul of the movie, with L,L,C spinning a lot of universal themes and messages that, while meant for young “juice box” crowd out there, can still be extrapolated and interpreted for the older crowds, including adults. Such big lessons like believing in oneself and tolerance / acceptance are clearly defined in the movie’s narrative, with Speck / Gordon sweetly layering the feature’s story over those moments that don’t come off as “too preachy” or “blatantly obvious” by having genuine feeling when presented. Of course, this is clearly mirrored in both Josh’s personal journey as well as Lyle’s narrative, with both characters coming to terms with their own weakness and overcome that challenging obstacle. This also comes into play with several of the supporting characters in the movie (more on that below). Collectively, these are classics messages to learn, especially in a kids’ moves, but what makes L,L,C stands apart from others is that it has more of tenderness to it all and the attention to detail when those said moments are displayed, focusing on inspirational scenes for palpable effect. Thus, L,L,C is definitely sweet and will tug at your heart.

That’s not to say that the feature is not smothered in gooey mush dramatics, with Speck / Gordon interjecting a lot of comedy into the movie. As mentioned, the film is geared towards kids and / or younger audiences, with L,L,C having plenty of kid-friendly shenanigans and physical gags that have lighthearted moments of levity. It’s nothing new or original, but I chuckle more times that what I was expecting to and I’m sure that target audience will enjoy the juvenile jokes and gags that are presented throughout the movie. All in all, while not the most original and definitive family film, the efforts of Speck / Gordon are still quite admirable in their interpretation of L,L,C , with a feature that is cute, delightful, and will definitely wiggle its way into your tender parts for a “feel good” kids movie.

Of course, the big highlight of the movie is the variety of songs that are being sung throughout the movie, with musician Shawn Mendes singing them through the character of Lyle. This selling-point is big hit for the movie as I’m sure it will be a major one for the feature’s intended target audience, with songs being written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the duo behind such musical lyrics in The Greatest Showman and Dear Evan Hansen . Thus, (and this comes at no surprise) that the lyrics to the songs featured in L,L,C are top-notch and deliver on its catchy melodies and meaningful wording. The movie’s big song “Take a Look at Us Now” is played multiple times throughout the movie and, while it does a little bit repetitive, the music will definitely long after you watch the movie, with its poignant yet infectious hooks and lyrics. That being said, my personal favorite song in L,L,C is definitely “Top of the World”, which celebratory, energetic, and just an uplifting song to listen. Yes, I will even admit that I downloaded it on iTunes. Other songs in the movie, including “Rip Up the Recipe” and “Carried Away” are still good and fun to listen to (as well as few other pop songs that Mendes’s Lyle sings throughout the movie), but “Top of the World” is still my favorite one of the group.

For the film’s presentation, L,L,C looks exactly what I was expecting the movie to look like by creating fun and almost “storybook” whimsical nature of its background for a family feature. Of course, the movie itself meets the so-called “industry standard” for this endeavor, but that’s not saying what presented on-screen is pleasant to look and something befitting a charming tale of a boy (and his family) living with singing crocodile. Speck / Gordon utilizes the urban cityscape of New York City has the primary setting for the film and has a “playground” feeling for some of the movie’s narrative pieces. Additionally, the multi-story Victorian style home of where the Primm (and Lyle) live in also has a charming appeal to it, which (again) fits into the children’s style of storytelling visual aesthetics. Plus, a lot of the set-pieces, locations, and costume attires also have colorful feel, with heightened sense of vibrancy and playful wardrobe. Thus, the film’s “behind the scenes” players, including Mark Worthington (production design), Leslie McDonald and David Meyer (art direction), Kathy Orlando (set decorations), and Kym Barett (costume designs), for their efforts in making L,L,C have some cuteness for a fanciful kid’s movie that speaks to its target audience as well as being pleasing to look at from start to finish. Lastly, while I did mention the movie’s musical songs in the paragraph above, the film’s score, which was composed by Matthew Margeson, definitely compliments the feature with its lighthearted tones and family style flavoring (fluttering nuances and heartfelt moments) throughout as well as mirroring the various songs that Pasek and Paul have written.

Unfortunately, L,L,C does have its fair share of problematic areas that draw upon criticism towards the feature itself. It is by no means a trainwreck, but it’s something that hinders the movie from being truly magical. Perhaps the biggest one that I could’ve think of is the many scattered plot holes throughout the entire picture. While I do praise the script in a few crucial / main parts in the film, the movie has several personal threads that some characters follow that aren’t fully developed and / or feel kind of half-baked. This includes Josh’s nervous of adjusting to his new home, new surroundings, and new school as well as several other character personal problems in the movie (more on that below). Thus, the script, which was penned by Will Davises, most likely had something to say for all its characters by having them more fleshed out, but was probably reduced down during the editing process; leaving a lot of character development moments on the cutting room floor. Because of this, L,L,C, while charming, lacks in the misusage of its character, despite the acting talents involved are willing and do try to help elevate their character growth shortcomings. Still, it’s kind of hard to overlook some of the plot holes that the script presents, which makes L,L,C play “fast and loose” with its narrative and fragmented pieces. It’s not deal-breaker for me, but it is noticeable.

This also comes across in the predictable nature that the movie has to offer, with a very formulaic narrative path that the story follows. It’s quite clear to where the tale of the Primm family and Lyle is heading before it actually happens, with similar plot points behind recalled from other children’s movies such as Hop or Sing . I kind of expected this, so it didn’t bother me as much, but it’s hard to look at L,L,C and notice how predictable the movie is, especially when there are other endeavors out their in children’s entertainment that offer more to do and color outside the lines of a feature’s parameters. Additionally, the ending of the movie feels a bit rushed. While the first half of the feature does skip around a bit in its narrative, with chunks of the narrative feeling half-baked and / or missing, the last half hour of L,L,C has a very brisk paced to it where a lot of things start to unfold rather quickly in a somewhat haphazard progression. Of course, what’s presented somewhat works, but it feels like the movie needed an extra five or ten minutes to help create a proper ending climax or even a better organization of how everything is staged and executed in this portion of the film. This seems to be problem with Speck / Gordon (as seeing in Office Christmas Party ) as well as Davises’s script, which need a bit more finesse for a better understanding of an ending in storytelling management.

As a minor nitpick, the film’s animation is a shoddy at times. Naturally, this comes up when Lyle is on-screen or several other CGI construct creations. Yes, I do understand that the film did have limited resources to pull from its production budget and doesn’t have latest technology that would be on par with something like a summer blockbuster project. That being said, the actual renderings for its animal characters are a bit too CGI and are kind of stuck in-between being “too animated” and being “realistic”. It’s a minor nitpick, but one can obvious tell of what a CGI creation is….one that is a bit adequate one in a few areas, including Lyle himself. Yes, I mentioned above that I like how Lyle looked, especially since his facial / body movements are expressive, but it could’ve been better looking in a bit convincing manner (or just better CGI effects altogether).

The cast in L,L,C is relatively good, with a few really great standouts. Of course, the acting represented by the selected actors and actresses involved on the project are solid across the board, but a few characters are an either a bit on the limp side and / or too broad to fully hone in on their respective personalities and private journeys that the movie takes them on. Well, let’s start with the best that the movie has to offer, with most notable in the character of Lyle and his previous owner, Hector P. Valenti, who are played by musician artist Shawn Mendes and actor Javier Bardem. Of course, Mendes works certainly speaks for himself, with his musical career having great success. I mean….his song are always being played on the radio and I’ll even admit that I like several of his songs. Perhaps that was one of the reason why many, including myself, had an interest in seeing L,L,C is hearing Mendes’s singing voice coming out of crocodile. The result is something that definitely works, with Mendes having a pitch perfect representation of inherit shy crocodile character that has a big voice for singing. Whenever he performs (be it familiar tune or one that Pasek / Paul created for the movie) the scene immediately lights up and becomes quite magical. Of course, while Lyle doesn’t really have a regular voice (only sings), Mendes still does do the heavy lifting, especially since the film is considered a musical or a musical comedy. To that end, Mendes gives a voice to Lyle and makes the character both interesting and memorable. Let’s also not forget that Lyle (as a physical character) is quite memorable. Yeah, the CGI rendering might be a little bit wonky at times, but he definitely has personality that’s clearly represented with some fun visual gags as well as being very expressive in his facial features. All in all, Lyle (both in Mendes singing and his character) are truly memorable in the movie and it’s a character that you instantly fall in love with.

Similarly, to being memorable in L,L,C , Bardem, who is known for his roles in Being the Ricardos , No Country for Old Men , and Dune , is clearly having fun by being involved in this movie and playing such a character like Hector P. Valenti. Bardem has been played such complex / mature characters throughout his career, so it’s kind of a “breath of fresh air” to see the actor play such a colorful character like Hector in a kids’ feature. Every scene he’s in the movie is a delight to view as Bardem imbues the eccentric attitude and bravado of Hector and generates a lot of laughs in the mischief he makes throughout. Yes, he’s kind of predictable and the lessons his character learns, but Bardem knows that just has fun with the character by laying on his seasoned experience and charm into Hector. In the end, I think that Bardem’s Hector is quite the big “scene stealer” of L,L,C and has such a blast playing such a lively and “larger-than-life character” that’s both charming and endearing to watch.

Behind those two characters, young actor Winslow Fegley ( Fast Layne and Nightbooks ) does a decent job in playing the main protagonist character role of Josh Primm, a young boy who immediately makes a special friendship connection when he first encounters Lyle in his new home. Fegley definitely fits the bill for such a main character in a kids’ movie, with his wide-eyed energy and acceptance of others as well as his own inherit likeability, makes him to be a prime candidate for such a character like Josh. That being said, his character journey is quite straightforward and, while that’s not technical a bad thing, it is leaves a lot to be desired from his character growth, especially since some material for him (most notable at the beginning of the feature) seems to be missing and / or removed. To that end, I think Fegley was good as Josh, but could’ve been written and further developed more than what was presented. As sidenote, Fegley’s interactions with both Lyle and Hector In L,L,C are wonderful!

Next, Josh’s parents, Katie and Joseph Primm, play good supporting characters in L,L,C , with actress Constance Wu ( Crazy Rich Asians and Fresh Off the Boat ) and actor Scott McNairy ( Argo and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice ) playing those roles respectively. Both Wu and McNairy are capable acting talents and definitely easily slide into their character roles as the loving / concerned parents of Josh, who gets caught up in several antics that involve Lyle. They do have their own personal plights and struggles to overcome and, while they somewhat do get resolved in the story, they do feel a little bit half-baked and could’ve been easily expanded upon. Again, this is where some of the character development material was trimmed and ended up on the cutting room floor. Still, I liked both Wu and McNairy in the movie. Lastly, actor Brett Gelman ( Stranger Things and Fleabag ) does a good job in playing the character of Mr. Grumps, the Primm’s nosy downstairs neighbor who is very suspicious of the family’s activities. Of course, this particular character is pretty straightforward and acts slightly as an antagonist instigator throughout the movie, but Gelman plays those the characteristic traits in a solid manner and makes for such a memorable character.

What I must also mention is that these particular acting talents certainly do get along when on-screen and interacting with each other, with their chemistry being likeable and genuine, which certainly do help build on their respective characters in the movie. As stated, L,L,C is a kids movie (through and through) and the cast knows that and keeps the family friendly energy up throughout the film.

Perhaps the only character that doesn’t really work in the movie is the character of Trudy, a classmate of Josh who slowly warms up to the newcomer at school, who is played by actress Lyric Hurd ( Manifest and Secrets ). While I do not discredit Hurd’s acting talent or her involvement in L,L,C, my grip is mostly with character and how she is written into the film altogether. Why? Well, she’s a forgotten supporting player that is mostly absent for a large bulk of the feature’s narrative. Clearly, there seemed to be more to her character (and her friendship with Josh), which probably ended up on the cutting room floor during the editing process. Thus, the character of Trudy is handled in a clunky manner and is mostly a “Deus ex machina” during the ending portion of the movie…. which is slightly disappointing.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Get ready to find your voice and sing with your heart as a young boy discovers when he comes “face-to-face” with a crocodile, who is admittedly shy, but has a huge voice for music, living in his house in the movie. Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile . Directors Will Speck and Josh Gordon latest film takes a cinematic slice out of Waber’s two kid’s picture books and presents it in a colorful and delightful children’s tale of music and tenderness. While the movie struggles within a few gaps of its storytelling elements (character developments and plot points) as well as being formulaic within its execution, the feature still manages to stand on its own two feet, with special attention thanks to a few key elements in the Speck / Gordon’s direction, a humorous scene, heartfelt moments, catchy songs, and several fun performances (most notable in Mendes and Bardem). Personally, I kind of liked this movie. Sure, it wasn’t hugely original and a few executions during the creative / storyboard process needed to be ironed out or fleshy out better, but (on the whole) the movie was lighthearted enough to make the viewing experience enjoyable and slightly memorable from beginning to end. It definitely speaks to its target audience a lot more than adults out there, but still has plenty to offer and easily accessible for all ages. Thus, my recommendation for this movie is a favorable “recommended”, especially for the younger viewers out there as well as an easily solid family movie night selection. In the end, while Hollywood will continue to seek out and churn out more “page to screen” film adaptation for years to come, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile hits its mark more than other endeavors, with a warm and whimsical musical comedy feature that, while not completely original, still manages to find a pleasant rhythm in its humor, heart, and lyric songs, a perfect combination for family fun cuteness.

3.8 Out of 5 (Recommended)

Released on: october 7th, 2022, reviewed on: november 19th, 2022.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is 106 minutes long and is rated PG for mild peril and thematic elements

Visual Stories

Did You Know?
Bigg Boss 17
Relationships
Health & Fitness
Soul Search
Home & Garden
Women's Day Special

Entertainment

Music Awards
Bhubaneshwar
humburgerIcon humburgerIcon humburgerIcon

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
Cast & Crew
Movie Review
Users' Reviews

The movie’s stars are the animated singing crocodile, Lyle (Shawn Mendes), and his owner, Hector P Valenti (Javier Bardem). While the novelty of seeing a singing and dancing crocodile is fascinating and created slickly, the screen comes alive every time the latter appears as the colourful, ambitious, tough-on-luck magician on a quest to win the national talent show.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Movie Review: A feelgood fare that will make young kids smile

Times of India

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile - Official Trailer

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile - Official Teaser

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Get reviews of the latest theatrical releases every week, right in your inbox every Friday.

Thanks for subscribing.

Please Click Here to subscribe other newsletters that may interest you, and you'll always find stories you want to read in your inbox.

Surya Manupati 1581 390 days ago

Good movie. Good music. Good kids movie i watched in a long time. Shawn Mendes voice is a godsend.

Sujitha’s stylish wardrobe collection

Breathtaking pictures of Tabu

Papa Meri Jaan: A look at the doting father-son duos of Bollywood

9 simple daily habits that improve overall hormone health

8 drinks that help you sleep faster and better

Vibrant clicks of Kinjal Dave

Ishant Sharma's wife to Rishabh Pant's girlfriend: Lesser known stylish WAGs of Indian cricketers

Shraddha Kapoor is a masterclass in flaunting trendy jewelry

10 reasons why watermelon seeds should not be thrown away

Hina Khan approved Eid Al-Fitr outfits

Entertainment /
Movie Reviews /
This film marks the first collaboration of uncle-nephew duo Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor. Arjun is the son of Anil’s brother Boney Kapoor. Share
This film marks the first collaboration of uncle-nephew duo Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor. Arjun is the son of Anil’s brother Boney Kapoor.
This is the second time Arjun Kapoor is playing a double role, the first being Aurangzeb (2013).
The song ‘Yamma yamma’ from ‘Shaan’ is sampled in the song ‘Partywali Night' for the film.

Choose your reason below and click on the Submit button. This will alert our moderators to take action

Foul language
Inciting hatred against a certain community
Out of context/Spam
Copied from article

Get the mag
Become a Member
Open search
Membership: Support our independent journalism
Podcast: Listen and Subscribe
YouTube: Watch our latest video essays

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

Review by David Jenkins @daveyjenkins

Directed by

Josh Gordon Will Speck

Constance Wu Javier Bardem Scoot McNairy

Anticipation.

This could go either way, but the presence of Javier Bardem piques the interest.

No wheels being reinvented, but never irritating or egregious, which is a big win.

In Retrospect.

Would happily sit through a sequel.

An animated crocodile with the voice of an angel spreads New York cheer in this breezy and highly likeable family diversion.

P erformance anxiety is the main baddie in the lightly eccentric family musical Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, based on Bernard Waber’s beloved children’s book first published in 1965. In it, a singing crocodile named Lyle finds himself unable to make a name for himself in the world of show business due to the crippling shyness is suffers when it comes to singing for an audience.

In a way, Lyle the singing crocodile is representative of humanity at large, apropos of the bitter internal struggles that manifest when it comes to communication, self-expression and showcasing personal qualities in a way that avoids arrogance and narcissism. In short: we are all Lyle the singing crocodile.

The story begins when baby Lyle is snapped(!) up from a ramshackle pet store by Javier Bardem’s greased, lone-gunning and possibly psychotic family entertainer Hector P. Valenti on the back of another disastrous audition – this man is in fact a physical antonym of The Greatest Showman .

Yet his attempts to exploit Lyle’s talents are ultimately futile and financially ruinous, and so to avoid his creditors he flees from his plush New York loft apartment, leaving Lyle with a loaded MP3 player and a pair of headphones. His calculation: by the time he returns, Lyle will be a confident superstar, an all-singing, all-dancing cash crocodile. Alas, without the necessary therapeutic resources, the croc’s anxiety remains firm…

Beyond its wacky set-up, the film mostly concerns Lyle’s interactions with the Primm family (mother Constance Wu, father Scoot McNairy, son Winslow Fegley) who move into his building, and each of whom is suffering from their own unique set of anxieties. Once established that Lyle does not intend to murder them and eat their flesh, he instead employs a set of specifically-tailored upbeat pop ditties (as intoned by helium-voiced singer Shawn Mendes) to cure what ails them. Only then, can the fam club together to help Lyle.

It’s a sweet film that hits all of its modest targets and works largely because it avoids vapid pop culture references and ironic humour that would be out of date within a month of release. To say that Bardem gives it his all is something of an understatement: the guy does not have the frame of a dancer (to put it mildly), but boy that does not stop him from flinging himself about the place with gleeful abandon.

It’s hard not to watch this performance without having his bouffanted air-gun killer Anton Chigurh (from No Country for Old Men ) in mind, giving a real sense of his expansive breadth as a character actor of genuine distinction. Unlike Lyle, Bardem is certainly not afraid to let it all hang out.

Technically, too, the film does the job, with the animated Lyle blending seamlessly with the real actors. There’s one sequence in which Lyle wrestles with Scoot McNairy in an attempt to awaken his dormant passion for mano-a-mano physical combat, and there’s a subtle mastery at play in how this sequence is conceived and executed. Unlike Lyle, this film will likely not change lives, but it’s a charming diversion and a perfect play-date filler for young’uns during the holidays.

Little White Lies is committed to championing great movies and the talented people who make them.

By becoming a member you can support our independent journalism and receive exclusive prints, essays, film recommendations and more.

Published 13 Oct 2022

Tags: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

Most Popular

LWLies 102: the Challengers issue – Out now!

How fanfiction took over the film world

Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke: ‘Let’s just embrace love and sex’

When pop stars become auteurs

Suggested For You

By Manuela Lazic

Don’t miss this animated jukebox musical from Son of Rambow director Garth Jennings.

The Greatest Showman

Hugh Jackman brings boundless energy and enthusiasm to this crowd-pleasing circus musical.

review LWLies Recommends

The Secret Life of Pets

By Adam Woodward

This animated adventure from the makers of Minions fails to live up to its initial promise.

Digital Editions
Write for LWLies
Access Information
Privacy Policy
The Scoring System

What are you looking for?

About Little White Lies

Little White Lies was established in 2005 as a bi-monthly print magazine committed to championing great movies and the talented people who make them. Combining cutting-edge design, illustration and journalism, we’ve been described as being “at the vanguard of the independent publishing movement.” Our reviews feature a unique tripartite ranking system that captures the different aspects of the movie-going experience. We believe in Truth & Movies.

David Jenkins
Hannah Strong
Marina Ashioti
Laurène Boglio

IMAGES

Film review: Lyle Lyle Crocodile starring Javier Bardem
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Movie Review
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022) Blu-ray Review
LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile review
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Movie (2022)

COMMENTS

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile movie review (2022)
Children and their families have been delighted by the stories about Lyle, the music-loving, scarf-wearing crocodile who lives on Manhattan's East 88 th Street, since the first book in the series by Bernard Waber was published in 1962. An HBO Storybook animated film with songs by Charles Strouse ("Annie") perfectly matched the book's colorful illustrations and cheerful story.
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Movie Review
What you will—and won't—find in this movie. Josh is empathetic, brave, and kind. He befriends. Co-star Constance Wu is of Taiwanese descent. Hect. Parents need to know that Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is a live-action, family-friendly musical based on the beloved 1965 picture book. As in the book, the story centers around the Primm family, who ...
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
Movie Info. When the Primm family (Constance 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 ...
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile review
Movies. This article is more than 1 year old. Review. Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile review - lip-smackingly good fun with the CGI singing croc ... (Her review of Lyle, Lyle Crocodile is a grinning two ...
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is the perfect film to snuggle together on the sofa with. A disarming easy watch that isn't too taxing on the adults in the audience, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile will keep the ...
'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile' Review: Bopping to the Crocodile Rock
LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE - Official Trailer (HD) Watch on. Then it stops dead: Hector absconds, 18 months pass and Lyle gets a new set of human foils to contend with, none of whom — Mrs. Primm ...
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022)
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is a fabulous musical film about overcoming your fears, to accept something new while pushing the traditional boundaries of what we call family. The storyline follows a boy, Josh (Winslow Fegley), moving to New York City with his parents and being uncomfortable with new challenges like an unfamiliar home, crowded New York ...
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022)
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile: Directed by Josh Gordon, Will Speck. With Javier Bardem, Winslow Fegley, Shawn Mendes, Constance Wu. Feature film based on the children's book about a crocodile that lives in New York City.
'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile' will melt even the most coldblooded heart
4 min. ( 3 stars) The title character of "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" may be a coldblooded reptile — in this case, one who sings — but never you worry: This family flick delivers enough pulse ...
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Review
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is the heartwarming tale of a singing crocodile who helps others find their voice. ... All Reviews Editor's Choice Game Reviews Movie Reviews TV Show Reviews Tech Reviews ...
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
When the Primm family (Constance 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 (Shawn Mendes) who loves baths, caviar and great music-living in the attic of his new home. The two become fast friends, but when Lyle's existence is threatened ...
'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile' Review: Shawn Mendes in Family-Friendly Flick
Shawn Mendes voices the title character in 'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile,' a family-friendly movie based on the children's book series, also featuring Javier Bardem and Constance Wu.
'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile' Review: Javier Bardem Sings a Silly Song
Bardem's lesser-seen playful side is on full display in "Lyle," as he hoofs his way across New York City with madcap gusto. The minute he leaves the croc to fend for himself at the house on ...
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile critic reviews
RogerEbert.com. Oct 6, 2022. Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is a bit too long for a family movie, with some unnecessary complications toward the end, and it's not quite up to the "Paddington" level of movie adaptations of classic children's books. But it is a warm-hearted family film with great musical numbers that will make another generation of ...
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
Josh, his mother and Lyle dumpster dive together, and Lyle forces Josh to eat some food from the garbage. Josh says he hates someone. The underaged Josh flees police and drives a motorcycle. Josh and his mother belch. A crocodile passes gas. A cat has diarrhea.
'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile' review: A musical showstopper this is not
Movie review. The family that dumpster dives together thrives together. This I learned from "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile." Truly. Really. Look at them grin and cavort amid the food scraps in an ...
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Review: Shawn Mendes Is a Singing ...
Movie Reviews 'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile' Review: Shawn Mendes Sure Is a Singing Crocodile! By Chase Hutchinson Published Oct 6, 2022. Rarely has a film raised so many pressing questions with the ...
'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile' review: Won't exactly make you smile
Oct. 6, 2022 6:18 PM PT. "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" is indeed a strange beast, both the animal — a city-dwelling croc with the voice of an angel — and the movie, which is also a sort of ...
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Movie Review for Parents
A crocodile singing in the bathtub? That's something new in the world of kids' movies and it comes from a classic book. Lyle, Lyle Crocodile is based on the 1965 story by Bernard Waber which describes a boy's unconventional friendship with a crocodile and their shared adventures.. The movie opens with failed showman Hector P. Valenti (Javier Bardem) unexpectedly finding a crocodile ...
Shawn Mendes' 'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile' Movie Review Is Good Enough to Be
Sony Pictures. Cats canonically exists in the world of Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile; one pesky neighbor character dons a shirt from the film as he sleeps beside his precious pet cat, who is as poorly ...
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Review: Javier Bardem Lifts Musical Adaptation
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is a production of Columbia Pictures, Eagle Pictures, Hutch Parker Entertainment, and TSG Entertainment. It will be released theatrically on October 6th from Sony Pictures ...
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Movie Review
Let's breakdown that PG age rating in this Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile parents guide. Violence/Suspense. Surprisingly, peril, suspense and violence were more impactful in Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile than I would have cared for. There are a few dark scenes with mild suspenseful music and mild jump scares. Brief yet intense animal fighting.
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022) Review
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (will be abbreviating it as " L,L,C " for most of this review) is directed by the duo Will Speck and Josh Gordon, whose collaborations together as directors has produced several comedy endeavors, including Blades of Glory, The Switch, and Office Christmas Party. Given their background in mostly comedic levity ...
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Movie Review: A feelgood fare that will make
The movie's stars are the animated singing crocodile, Lyle (Shawn Mendes), and his owner, Hector P Valenti (Javier Bardem). While the novelty of seeing a singing and dancing crocodile is fascinating and created slickly, the screen comes alive every time the latter appears as the colourful, ambitious, tough-on-luck magician on a quest to win the national talent show.
"Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" Review: A Feel-Good Movie That'll Leave You
The plot follows Lyle, a music-loving, scarf-wearing, singing crocodile - voiced by the none other Canadian pop-star Shawn Mendes - and his journey of love, family, and self-discovery. When the Primm family moves to New York City, their young son Josh (Winslow Fegley), soon finds out that Lyle the crocodile has been living in their attic, surviving solely on dumpster-dived food and good music.
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile review
An animated crocodile with the voice of an angel spreads New York cheer in this breezy and highly likeable family diversion. P erformance anxiety is the main baddie in the lightly eccentric family musical Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, based on Bernard Waber's beloved children's book first published in 1965. In it, a singing crocodile named Lyle finds himself unable to make a name for himself in ...

Movie Reviews

Now playing

High & Low – John Galliano

Peter Sobczynski

God Save Texas

Drive-Away Dolls

Love Lies Bleeding

Nandini Balial

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022)

Writer (based on the book series by)

Cinematographer

Latest blog posts

Beyoncé and My Daughter Love Country Music

A Poet of an Actor: Louis Gossett, Jr. (1936-2024)

Why I Love Ebertfest: A Movie Lover's Dream

Adam Wingard Focuses on the Monsters

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile review – lip-smackingly good fun with the CGI singing croc

Most viewed

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Email not verified

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

Movies / TV

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Reviews

‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’ Review: Bopping to the Crocodile Rock

Explore More in TV and Movies

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

More like this

Did you know

User reviews 136

Technical specs

Related news

More to explore

Recently viewed

‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’ will melt even the most coldblooded heart

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Review

What’s the best family film that’s based on a book?

The Biggest Upcoming Movies and Release Dates | Fall Movie Preview 2022

In This Article

More Reviews by Ryan Leston

The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News

site categories

Frank Scheck

Related Stories

Full credits

More from The Hollywood Reporter

‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’ Review: Javier Bardem Muscles Some Magic Into Silly Musical

Most Popular

Notice: All forms on this website are temporarily down for maintenance. You will not be able to complete a form to request information or a resource. We apologize for any inconvenience and will reactivate the forms as soon as possible.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

Content Caution

In Theaters

Home Release Date

Distributor

Movie Review

Positive Elements

Spiritual Elements

Sexual Content

Violent Content

Crude or Profane Language

Drug and Alcohol Content

Other Negative Elements

Kennedy Unthank

Latest Reviews

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Someone Like You

Ordinary Angels

‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’ review: A musical showstopper this is not

Most Read Entertainment Stories

'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile' Review: Shawn Mendes Sure Is a Singing Crocodile!

Review: ‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’ is a croc that doesn’t exactly rock

More to Read

How do you direct ‘Godzilla x Kong’? Adam Wingard took performance notes from his cat

Review: Despite starring a possessed stuffed animal, the dull ‘Imaginary’ is close to unbearable

Review: In ‘The Iron Claw,’ wrestling brothers compete in the ring but fall to an ogre outside it

More From the Los Angeles Times

‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ smashes its way to $80 million. How it won the box office

The movies went soft on AI. ‘The Matrix’ reminds us why it’s so dangerous

Review: In ‘Wicked Little Letters,’ the shock value feels about a century too late

Review: In the cryptic ‘The Shadowless Tower,’ connection is stymied by a murky past

Shawn Mendes’ ‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’ Movie Is the Next ‘Cats’—in the Best Way