Movie Review: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

Although the concept behind Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile – that a singing and dancing crocodile is afflicted with crippling stage fright – falls a bit on the side of unbelievability (just a bit), the heart and soul of this film is so spot on and the performances of all involved prove just as engaging, that this ultimately plays as one of the more entertaining family films in recent memory.  

After moving to New York City, young Josh Primm (Scoot McNairy) finds himself struggling to make new friends and adapt to his new school. Then, he discovers a singing crocodile named Lyle (Shawn Mendes) living in the attic of his new home and his entire world begins to change. Of course, no relationship such as this is without its obstacles and the largest one threatening Josh and Lyle in the Primm’s neighbor, Mr. Grumps (Brett Gelman), who is dead set on getting to the bottom of the shenanigans he believes the Primm boy is behind. 

Add to this a subplot involving the family possibly losing the house as well as the inevitable pitfalls that await Josh at his new school, and you have the makings of a splendidly entertaining family film that, above all else, retains its core concept of true friendship succeeding in the face of all adversity. 

Scoot McNairy does an admirable job of carrying the weight of most of the film’s narrative on his shoulders, though the CGI singing crocodile does steal most of the scenes he is featured in. But, above all else, it is Josh’s story that gives the film its resonance and emotionality; and if McNairy were not up to the task it would be an utter failure – thankfully, he is, and it is not. Shawn Mendes’s vocalization of Lyle provides the through line for the film and it is a testament to his earnest approach to the character and the film’s handling of the same that Lyle proves so likable and not-so-scary at all. Other characters, such as Javier Bardem’s Hector P. Valenti, are also given moments to shine and develop as the film move effortlessly towards a satisfying and emotional conclusion. 

(From left) Constance Wu, Winslow Fegley, Shawn Mendes, and Javier Bardem in “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.” © Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Based on the series of books by Bernard Waber, the script – written by Will Davies – focuses mostly on the development of the character of Josh and his need for a meaningful friend like Lyle to cope with the world around him. Directors Will Speck and Josh Gordon do a fine job of taking this approach as well and centering the film around Josh and his family rather than a series of high jinks perpetrated by Lyle and Josh, or anything else in that sort of mode. 

Overall, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is a remarkably entertaining and extremely heartfelt family film that stresses the importance of friendship as well as the meaningful presence of family.

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Mike Tyrkus

Editor in Chief at CinemaNerdz.com

An independent filmmaker, co-writer and director of over a dozen short films, the Editor in Chief of CinemaNerdz.com has spent much of the last three decades as a writer and editor specializing in biographical and critical reference sources in literature and the cinema, beginning in February 1991 reviewing films for his college newspaper. He was a member of the Detroit Film Critics Society, as well as the group's webmaster and one-time President for over a decade until the group ceased to exist. His contributions to film criticism can be found in Magill's Cinema Annual, VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever (of which he was the editor for nearly a decade until it too ceased to exist), the International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers, and the St. James Film Directors Encyclopedia (on which he collaborated with editor Andrew Sarris). He has also appeared on the television program Critic LEE Speaking alongside Lee Thomas of FOX2 and Adam Graham, of The Detroit News. He currently lives in the Detroit area with his wife and their dogs.

@miketyrkus

Mike Tyrkus

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