Currently Available on Digital
Lyle, Lyle Crocodile is one of this year’s better comic strip/children’s storybook adaptations to grace the movie screen. After a different effort by another studio with a certain comic strip, Marmaduke did not sit. If people missed catching this flick because of the limited screenings, then they can thank Sony for the digital edition that’s now available.
Alternatively, the home video release is next week; the extras that come with it will certainly get me dancing and perhaps singing to Broadway too. I loved the musical presentation, and I’m eager to see music videos and featurettes to detail the production. On the list are:
- Sing-Along Songs: Karaoke versions of the original songs “Top of the World,” “Rip Up the Recipe,” “Take a Look at Us Now,” and “Carried Away” from Pasek & Paul (The Greatest Showman).
- Story time with Shawn Mendes & Javier Bardem: Shawn Mendes, Javier Bardem, alongside the cast and filmmakers, alternate reading excerpts from the book that set the world of Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile in motion.
- Two Music Videos: “Top of the World” and “Carried Away” by Pasek & Paul (The Greatest Showman).
- Bloopers: Behind-the-scenes blooper reel.
- Deleted Scenes: Josh Learns About Lyle’s Stage Fright
- Croc and Roll–Lyle On Set: We will find out what working with Lyle was truly like with interviews with his cast mates and the filmmakers. As they shed light on everything from Lyle’s eating habits to his occasional odour issues, we’ll come to get a better understanding of what Lyle brings to the filming experience beyond his incredible voice.
- Look at Us Now—The Cast: From Javier Bardem, Constance Wu, Scoot McNairy and Winslow Fegley to Shawn Mendes, meet the astounding key cast of Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.
The songs include everything I appreciate from Broadway, and this crocodile’s personality can certainly challenge Michigan J. Frog. Shawn Mendes provides excellent singing chops for the cinematic reptile, and for those fans who enjoy listening to Hanson, his style might be considered similar.
When the setting reveals this croc is living in Manhattan, I’m sure where he got his chops is because the pet store is located close to the theatre district. But although he likes to hum along, once the light is on him, he shuts up and can’t utter a tone. It’s stage fright, and as for whether he can get past it, it’s up to the Primm family to help. To see this anthropomorphic animal trying to survive a human world does not differ from Paddington. Thus, there’s even an identical protagonist. Mr. Grumps (Brett Gelman) is worse than Mr Curry. And if this version is redeemable, I think not. This actor is perfect, as this character is very unlikable; I hissed whenever he made life for the Primms and the crocodile difficult.
In contrast, Hector P. Valenti (Javier Bardem), who found this creature, chews up the scenery similarly as when I last saw him in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man Tell No Tales. I love this actor.
As for the star, Lyle, this CGI wonder makes me think he’s actually a fairy instead. He’s a fantastic beast who may have escaped to live a quiet life in a pet shop. But since a different studio is involved in the making of it, there’s no obvious connection, and my intention is only a random thought to explain why this creature is exceptional. No other animal presented in this film has a special ability.
Not even Roger the Alligator from the Penguins from Madagascar TV series can compete. Both can sing, and technically, Lyle, Lyle Crocodile the children’s book was published first. Also, I doubt DreamWorks stole the concept. Instead, Bernard Waber’s work got an HBO special in 1987, and it’s worth seeking since it’s just as high-spirited.
4 Stars out of 5
Shawn Mendes Introduces Lyle, Lyle Crocodile
