Synopsis
When the Primm family moves to New York City, their young son Josh struggles to adapt to his new school and new friends. All of that changes when he discovers Lyle — a singing crocodile who loves baths, caviar and great music — living in the attic of his new home. But when Lyle’s existence is threatened by evil neighbor Mr. Grumps, the Primms must band together to show the world that family can come from the most unexpected places.
Your Movie Library
Cast
- Shawn MendesLyle (voice)
- Javier BardemHector P. Valenti
- Winslow FegleyJosh
- Constance WuMrs. Primm
- Scoot McNairyMr. Primm
- Brett GelmanMr. Grumps
- Ego NwodimCarol
- Lyric HurdTrudy
- Jason KravitsCy
- Ben PalaciosCrocodile Reference
Recommendations
- 75
The A.V. Club
The result is a movie likely to appeal as much to anyone who enjoys pop-scored animal hijinks on TikTok as to anyone who actually remembers the books. - 70
The Hollywood Reporter
It’s all harmless fun, containing enough mild laughs and genuinely sweet moments (if you can contain your emotions during the reunion scene between Lyle and Hector, you’re made of stronger stuff than I am) to keep its target audiences entertained. - 70
Paste Magazine
For kids, this won’t matter much, and Lyle is good enough that it may well have staying power at sleepovers and family movie nights for years to come. It is, however, disappointing to see a film with oodles of potential fail to stick the landing, especially when the right moves are obvious. - 67
IndieWire
Along with a few bouncy numbers from “The Greatest Showman” duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Bardem is the driving force behind “Lyle,” and the train loses major steam without its kooky conductor. - 63
Movie Nation
The drama is fairly mild, the action cute and slapshticky and the Lyle sight gags aimed at six and unders, so don’t look or listen for great verbal or visual wit. - 58
Collider
Whatever joy you get in individual moments is lost in the shuffle of a film that far overstays its welcome. - 40
Austin Chronicle
For a film that is sold on the image and idea of a big, singing, dancing crocodile – who is otherwise mute when not belting out his tunes – there seems to be a real disinterest in any notable sight gags or physicality to Lyle as a character. - 38
The Seattle Times
The whole picture is an exercise in obvious effort, try, try, trying really hard to win the audience’s affection. However it only succeeds in trying the audience’s patience. It’s a trial.
