DIRECTORS: Josh Gordon & Will Speck
PRODUCERS: Josh Gordon & Will Speck & Hutch Parker
WRITERS: Will Davies & Bernard Weber PERFORMERS: Javier Bardem Constance Wu Scoot McNairy Winslow Fegley
with Bret Gelman and Shawn Mendez
In the latest entry of family film entertainment, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile just might be the exception. Only different because there's a crocodile who can express himself through his singing voice and a family trying to find theirs. With the elements of family themes, CGI and music, somehow this manages to work in a way not even audiences expect. But when you put a family and a musical creature with a heart of gold and a knack for musical talent, how much more can you expect?
Based on the book series and set-in modern-day New York, Lyle is a unique crocodile with a unique talent: singing. This catches the attention of a struggling showman played by the scene-stealing Javier Bardem, who takes him in, brushes him up and gives him a home. The one thing missing is a family to be part of and when one moves to the big city and into the residence the croc is staying in, everyone knows what's about to go down. The performances are spot on, the musical sequences are nearly out of this world eye-catching and yes, the soundtrack... not enough words in the English language to describe how great that sounded.
The songwriting team who brought us the immortal soundtrack to the 2017 hit 'The Greatest Showman' bring their expertise to this one with songs you can't help but applaud to. 'Take a look at us now' is the summary of what the entire film is all about. How you go from one way to another and what kind of level that puts you in by the end. It's tune and melody behind the song is what gets you right at the heartstrings and doesn't let go. Throughout the soundtrack of songs, either one or several of them will be put in every viewer's memory banks for months to come and just like 'Showman' receive high praise.
Directors Josh Gordon and Will Speck have taken something rare and turned it into something very surprisingly enjoyable and fun to look at. Even with the performances by the main cast themselves, it stands out in every way. But the vocals of Shawn Mendez as Lyle really get you in a way you least expect it. Every single note he sings is just pure and innocent, bringing such a quality one would not see coming... until boom! He makes the songs sound the way they do; he brings out the humanity in the film throughout the music but more importantly, makes the audience forget about his dangerous exterior and embrace his interior qualities. We all know that old saying: 'Don't judge a book by it's cover', better to read it first then judge later.
In some way, this was nearly a throwback to 'The Greatest Showman'. Only this had more heart, and though a showman was involved he just wasn't the main focus. Despite that, this was an otherwise musical joy to see and it may be a while before this will come around the corner again. Because this is based on a book series, who knows how much more of this we will be getting? Maybe not as big as the 'Harry Potter' franchise or even the others that came and went; but the music is just so great that you just don't care. Whether you're a stranger or a newbie to this premise, audiences will be singing the tunes for weeks and if you really want a good look at the bright side of life, then take a look at this now. You'd be surprised.
MY RATING: 3 out 4