If I understand this correctly, we can tell Lyle is a crocodile because he will see you “in a while” rather than just seeing you “later.” Thank goodness for dad humor or I wouldn’t have any at all, huh?
Lyle (voice of Shawn Mendes, but only in song; the thing doesn’t talk otherwise) is indeed a crocodile, albeit a benevolent one living a reclusive, vegetarian life by himself in the attic of a well-to-do flat in midtown Manhattan.
I know what you’re thinking …
“Jim, look man, I can buy a full-grown singing, dancing crocodile … living in Manhattan on his own … rent-free … in a property that gets sold without being renovated … is a vegetarian … has human intelligence … and has managed not only to feed himself, but has gone years without being noticed despite having the world’s biggest busybody jerk living in the basement of the same building … all that seems reasonable. But, Jim … a tenor, really? You gonna tell me a beast with vocal cords like that doesn’t hit the lower registers? Well, that, good sir, is simply not believable.”
You’d be right. But hey, let’s play this darn thing out anyway.
Baby Lyle wasn’t alone. The several story brownstone was owned by a failure of a song ‘n’ dance magician named Hector Valenti (Javier Bardem … man, the further you get from No Country for Old Men, the further you get from No Country for Old Men, knowwhatI’msayin’, Chigurh?). Desperately needing a talent upgrade, Valenti discovers the singing reptile in one of the many, many exotic pet stores located in the theater district of Manhattan. I suppose fair is fair. If there could exist a signing crocodile, he’s much likelier to find his gift on Broadway than in the Okefenokee Swamp, amIright?
Valenti puts his faith in the infantile predator only to find the poor thing has stage fright. Well, geez, take it from somebody who answers to the amphibious “Frog,” don’t bet on reptiles. Seriously. Not unlike the owner of “Air Bud,” Valenti abandons the baby crocodile in the attic of his no-longer-owned property. Yeah, that’s gonna be a bad idea any way you look at it. And years later, the Primms move in. At that point, it’s only a matter of time before their loner child Josh Primm (Winslow Fegley) befriends the crocodile. This is done through song because, I’m guessing, the crocodile doesn’t sign very well.
And this is the fun part of the film. We like Lyle. We like him
interacting with the family. We like him getting to see New York in daytime disguised as a University of Florida mascot. – this sets up a pretty funny in joke about the rivalry between the University of Florida and the University of Georgia … of course, no one questions what representatives of either school are doing in Manhattan. But if you’re asking for logic in Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, you’re watching the wrong thing.
This film is cute, silly, and harmless. It won’t make your child a better person or a better comedian or even better fan of film, but it will probably entertain junior for a while and maybe even capture a sense of wonder. Of course, such will be spoiled when balding, doofy Chigurh shows up again, but whatchagonnado? I’m not gonna pan this reptilian wonder, but I will say that films involving anthropomorphic amphibians are generally better. Reptile punks.
You certainly won’t believe your eyes
A crocodile with a host of surprise
He doesn’t eat meat
And his song can’t be beat
Are we sure it’s not a thrush in disguise?
Rated PG, 106 Minutes
Director: Josh Gordon, Will Speck
Writer: Will Davies
Genre: Crooning reptiles
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: That damn kid of yours who wants an exotic pet
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: Parents already tired of cleaning up after the dog
