Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile: Loved it!

Movie Review: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022) on Amazon Prime

Ever think you'd watch a singing crocodile in a musical? I didn't think so. Then I set aside my preconceptions and watched Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile—and loved it!

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is the the popular children's book brought to life on live action film with a bit of CGI animation and a whole lot of heart. It's the story of Hector, the washed up stage performer, who discovers Lyle, a talented singing crocodile in the back storage room of a dilapidated New York City exotic-animal shop. Hector adopts Lyle and prepares him to perform live on stage in a bid to revive his dying career, only Lyle isn't a performing crocodile, just a singing crocodile. 

And so, smothered in debt and with his hopes smothered, Hector leaves town with, leaving Lyle alone in his big city brownstone attic. 

Newly arriving are the Primm family, Mr. Primm, Mrs. Primm, and son Josh, novices to the big city life. They certainly never dreamed of the possibility of a singing crocodile living upstairs of them. Nor of a Mr. Grump, who occupies the basement apartment below them and is a stickler for the rules, especially quiet.

For most of the film you are treated to the Primms coming to terms with big city life, discovering Lyle and the consequences of having a singing but not talking crocodile in your life, and keeping this secret from the "monster" downstairs. This is the dreary, ho-hum part of the film, necessary to create conflict and set up the climax at the end, but really, if you need to get up to go to the bathroom or refresh your stacks, this is the part in which to do it. 

The opening sequences of the film, then the latter parts, all with Lyle and Hector (played brilliantly by Javier Bardem) are the most entertaining parts of the film. It's here that you get the most bang for your buck, as the saying goes. Bardem is a master performer meant to sing and dance and bring out the best in a singing crocodile. The Primms are just set pieces.  

Also, Mr. Grump has a cat that is fun to watch.

Lyle, Lyle Crocodile is great entertainment for the whole family. Stick around for the big finale, it's worth it. I rate this film A for All Right!