Film Review: LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE (2022): Javier Bardem is Hilarious in a Cute, If a Bit Familiar, Family Film

Lyle, Lyle Crocodile Review

Lyle, Lyle Crocodile (2022) Film Review, a movie directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck, written by Will Davies and starring Javier Bardem, Constance Wu, Scoot McNairy, Brett Gelman, Shawn Mendes, Winslow Fegley, Sal Viscuso, Yussie Jupiter, Don DiPetta, Lyric Hurd, Adam Murray, Cora Maple Lindell, Rudie Bolton, Zeb Slone, Mac Wells, Lindsey Moser, Chloe Camp and Joe Gulla.

Oscar winner Javier Bardem is back on the big screen in a kid-friendly new comedy called, Lyle, Lyle Crocodile. That may sound pretty surprising for his fans being that Bardem specializes in high-profile dramatic films for adults. Nevertheless, Bardem shines in his role here and adds tremendous energy to the scenes in the film in which he appears. Bardem plays a would-be show biz entertainer named Hector P. Valenti who is trying to make a living for himself when he befriends a cute, cuddly crocodile. Hector sets out to make this singing crocodile named Lyle a star as the movie’s main premise kicks off. Based on a book series by Bernard Waber, expect some big laughs and smiles along the way as you watch this movie but, keep in mind, the plot is as familiar as stories in family films come.

When Lyle ends up getting cold feet and not performing in front of a live audience, Hector gets into hot water which includes serious money problems. Lyle is his friend but he’s also an investment in Hector’s future and the movie always reminds us that Hector cares about Lyle but has so many financial dilemmas that, at times, Hector needs to put his friendship with the adorable crocodile to the side.

A family moves into the New York City apartment where Lyle resides. Constance Wu plays the mom, Mrs. Primm, Scoot McNairy is the dad, Mr. Primm, and their son is Josh (played pretty well by Winslow Fegley). Anyone who’s seen a movie before knows that Josh will befriend Lyle but not before being scared by him first. This is “Family Movie Formula 101.” Still, though, Josh and Lyle form a cute bond that is further complicated when both of Josh’s parents eventually befriend the lovable crocodile as well.

Lyle sings with the voice of Shawn Mendes so it’s an inspired voice which our said crocodile possesses. However, Lyle can’t bring himself to sing in front of a live audience. Only when Lyle learns to care for Josh and his family does Lyle start to realize that if he does sing for a live audience, he’s doing it for the people he loves. Hector disappears from the action for a little while so that we can get some screen time with Constance Wu’s Mrs. Primm enjoying Lyle’s company. Ditto Scoot McNairy’s Mr. Primm.

The best scene in the movie is when Lyle sings “Carried Away” which is a heartwarming song in a movie full of mostly mediocre songs. “Carried Away” is such a great song, though, that it picks up the action of the film considerably and carries it through from the late middle of the movie all the way through to the end.

Constance Wu was a surprising casting choice for the mom of Josh, but she does a really nice job in her role. She brings joy and energy to the role and her scenes opposite Lyle are endearing. McNairy more than holds his own beside the rest of the cast members while Fegley certainly has some touching emotional moments as Josh.

The supporting cast is OK with child actress, Lyric Hurd, as Trudy making the perfect friend to Josh’s character in the movie. As the nosey neighbor who installs cameras to try to catch any suspicious activity in the vicinity of the neighborhood, Brett Gelman’s Mr. Grumps is the closest thing to a villain in this picture. Gelman is adequate in his role.

While the whole idea of the film is to get Lyle’s singing out to the world, the movie sends mixed signals as to whether that’s what Lyle, himself, wants. He wants to sing to be happy but if he wants to survive in the world, Lyle will have to prove his talent to others. Getting Lyle on a reality show is what everybody wants late in the movie, but we don’t always know that this is what the movie wants us to want through the picture’s earlier scenes. We sometimes wonder if we just want to let Lyle be Lyle.

Ultimately, Javier Bardem’s tremendous energy and creativity make Lyle, Lyle Crocodile a success. He’s full of sincerity even when his character seems to not be fair to Lyle. Lyle is a cute creation who is just singing in the movie. He doesn’t hold conversations with anybody and that’s one of the movie’s flaws as well. Lyle could have been given a bit more depth. When he’s put in the zoo, he seems to want to escape but it would have been fun to see more communication with Lyle and his fellow crocodiles.

I liked Lyle, Lyle Crocodile. Javier Bardem makes the movie worth watching because he’s such a versatile talent. This role is different from almost every other one he’s done. Ultimately, if you like family movies with happily ever after endings, this movie will certainly win you over.

Rating: 7/10

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