It has taken quite a while for a major studio to discover the cinematic possibilities of a movie about a singing crocodile, but Sony’s Columbia Pictures has finally gotten the message and thus we finally have the film adaptation of Bernard Waber’s 1965 children’s book staple Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.
It no doubt helped to have pop heartthrob Shawn Mendes deliver the voice for Lyle, and Oscar-, Grammy- and Tony-winning songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, Dear Evan Hansen, The Greatest Showman) suppling the snappy tunes, but thanks to its engaging title CGI creation, this crocodile rocks. No doubt is will serve as a welcome diversion for families starved for something to get the kids out of the house as Sony opens this CGI/live-action musical comedy exclusively in theatres.
Call me crazy, but it is hard to resist a singing croc who serves as a loyal companion to whatever human happens to come upon him, has a distinct talent for crooning, and loves to lather up in the bathtub. The CGI wizards have beautifully animated him and Lyle fits snugly in with the well-chosen human cast as well. But what really made him work for me is that the filmmakers — directors Will Speck and Josh Gordon (Blades of Glory, Office Christmas Party) and screenwriter Will Davies (How to Train Your Dragon) — thankfully did not make Lyle talk, only sing, and that makes him rely more on cute expressions, rather like the family dog, than saddle him with dumb dialogue. Davies saves that for the people he comes in contact with, and fortunately for this kind of movie they are all tolerable enough, if sometimes overly cartoonish, but what did you expect?
The film opens with a focus on ambitious magician Hector P. Valenti (Javier Bardem), who in his own mind thinks he is a major star, but in reality is anything but that. However, upon visiting an exotic pet store he discovers a baby crocodile happily singing the day away in his cage. Immediately a light bulb goes off and Hector sees the showbiz possibilities. After taking him home to his New York City brownstone, he works up an act with Lyle, only to be crushed when Lyle freezes in front of the paying crowd who came to see this phenomenon. Next thing you know we are back to the same house, but now the Primm family, consisting of father (Scoot McNairy), mother (Constance Wu) and son Josh (Winslow Fegley), are moving in as the new tenants.
One day exploring the attic Josh discovers Lyle living there and taking a bath. A note nearby from Hector says to please take care of his crocodile. There’s also sheet music and instruments. At first frightened but soon bonding with the friendly creature, Josh has found a friend to help him bear his new lonely existence in the city. Eventually Mom and Dad, after first freaking out (to say the least), warm to him as well. Unfortunately there is also an obnoxious neighbor downstairs, Mr. Grumps (Brett Gelman), who coddles his spoiled feline (another spot-on CGI creation) but believes there is something strange — and loud — going on with the Primms. The threat of Lyle being found out by the authorities looms over everything, but not before we get several catchy musical numbers along the way. And eventually Hector himself comes back into the picture, further complicating matters.
Innocent fun, toe-tapping songs and dance numbers — particularly with the signature tune “Take a Look At Us Now,” “Top of the World” overlooking the NYC landscape, and a kitchen duet for Wu and Lyle with “Rip Up the Recipe” — add to this PG family fare. Mendes may not be seen, but his familiar voice turns Lyle into a natural star. Mendes even penned and sings an additional song, “Heartbeat,” over the end credits, and blends nicely with Bardem who has his second singing role in as many years after playing Desi Arnaz in last year’s Being the Ricardos — he is clearly is having a blast doing it all. Wu and McNairy are fine as well, with the latter milking the slapstick in a wrestling match with Lyle. Fegley is an appealing presence as a kid just looking for a true friend and finding one in another species; just your usual boy-and-his-dog kind of movie plot. Gelman does the requisite villainy kind of thing here as Mr. Grumps with the one-dimensional approach it needs. His kitty steals all his scenes, though.
Kids ought to eat all this up, and if it doesn’t soar to the heights of the Paddington films, its closest cousin in the family genre, it has enough pure charm on its own to get by. Producer is Hutch Parker. Sony releases it wide Friday.
Check out my video review above with scenes from the film. Do you plan to see Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile? Let us know what you think.