Movie Review # 556: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022)

Ladies and gentlemen, today, we are going to be reviewing a film that was based on a Children’s book series by the names of The House On East 88th Street, and Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, which were both written by author Bernard Waber. The book series featured a crocodile that lived in a Victorian home, and is later befriended by humans that move into his home. So now, let’s dive into the movie adaptation that was inspired by this children’s book, which is also titled Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.

Plot: When a young boy named Josh Primm (Winslow Finley), and his parents (Scoot McNairy, and Constance Wu) move into a new Victorian home in New York City, little do they suspect that a crocodile, with an amazing singing ability, named Lyle (Shawn Mendes), already occupies the home. Although reptiles are technically forbidden from living in apartments, will Lyle survive with this new family? Also, will the new family be able to learn a thing, or two, from this crocodile?

Okay, first of all, for a movie adaptation, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is very good. I never read the book series for this film. However, from what I heard, this film was still very faithful to the book, even if the film took some liberties. Still, there were some areas where Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile could have been a little better. First of all, there there were one, or two points where this film to have a little bit of filler moments, and made the movie drag a little bit as a result. Fortunately, it wasn’t even close to that bad, but still. Anyway, the villain of this seemed a little cliche, and not all that memorable. Additionally, besides the theme song for this film, “Top Of The World,” the songs of this film, which were written by Matthew Margeson, along with Benj Paul, and Pasek, while not bad, weren’t all that memorable. They’re still fun, but still could have maybe been a little better. Finally, the middle to end this film might have felt a little rushed. It was still very good, but could have maybe been handled a little better. Not to mention that some of the characters, aside from the main ones, aren’t quite as memorable as you would like.

Nevertheless, the pros triumph over the cons for this film. To begin, there’s the deal with the animals either talking, or not talking. Now, as we know, Columbia Pictures came out with another live-action film back in 1999 by the name of Stuart Little, which, like this film, also featured all live-action humans, and CGI animals. Here’s the difference! While both the humans, and animals speak in Stuart Little, only the humans speak in Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, and non of the animals do talk. The only form of communication that we get from the animals is the singing from Lyle the Crocodile. After giving it some thought, I’m sure we can agree that maybe this might have been a smart move on the part of the filmmakers, wouldn’t you say? It’s also great to know that even if there were moments where this film felt dragged, and sometimes even rushed, you can tell that the filmmakers did put as much heart into it as possible. Also, again, “Top Of The World” is most definitely the catchiest tune of this entire soundtrack. Though the rest of the tracks aren’t quite as memorable, they’re still fun to listen to. Oh, and another thing regarding the music, who wouldn’t enjoy listening to Lyle the crocodile singing some well known songs from time to time? In addition to all of this, many of the characters that are developed very well are also handled well. This is especially true with one of the characters going in one direction that one doesn’t expect. Allow me to explain. Basically, throughout the course of this film, you’ll most likely expect this character to go one direction only to find that one going in another, and with good results. Finally, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile seems to incorporate some good messages, most notably ones about being willing to think about the feelings, and perspectives of others more than your own.

And that’s my review for Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. Even though some aspects of this film could have been improved, it is still enjoyable overall. There is a song that stands out from the rest of the soundtrack, there is a good amount of heart in this film, certain moments, and characters are handled well, and some of the storyline as well, and the film is overall very good. If the book is better, then you should still see the movie version. Regardless of how close this film follows the book, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is a film that is most definitely worth seeing. Man, if only Columbia Pictures were making more movies like this, and Stuart Little. Honestly, if we can slowly, but surely have more movies like these films with live-action humans, and computer-animated animals, like back in the 1990s especially, and have plenty kid heart put into them, I think people will realise what real art in the world of movies is like even more so. Also, let’s also keep up with NOT having any gay, or lesbian elements in films like these. Definitely see this film version of Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, and see what you think!

Final Grade: B