LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE

Look, a singing CGI croc played by Shawn Mendes is a wild sentence - but considering that, the film really works. It's not perfect and a lot of things are questionable - for instance, it's never really explained nor questioned why Lyle only sings and never speaks, there is classic product placement and crude humour that doesn't work. The film does struggle to balance its bold premise and heart, but when the two come together it does make for a delightful family film.

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul the songwriting duo behind 'La La Land' and 'The Greatest Showman' are on their A-game here. The songs are very mainstream pop over a more musical style, but paired with Shawn Mendes' vocals the songs really soar. 'Top of the World' is the film's anthem, but 'Rip Up the Recipe' is one of the year's best songs. The songs are the main selling point, especially with Mendes' casting, and they are really catchy and sure to get some airplay over the summer break.

Interestingly enough, while a huge hook is that Lyle can only sing, in the original book (from what I've read), he just simply doesn't speak. The only musical connection the character has is a musical adaption in 1987 for HBO animated in the book style, and from the one clip that I found Lyle doesn't speak nor sing.

The whole cast is truly bringing their best and elevates the material. Bardem and Wu are standouts but child actor Winslow Fegley carries his weight as well. The film shows Josh experiencing a panic attack and for a mainstream family film, even though extremely simple, it felt like a big step in normalising something like that for young kids.

'Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile' takes its wild premise, packs it with a tonne of heart and fun music to deliver an ultimate holiday family movie package. Yes, it's a singing crocodile and that's wild at times, but when the film really works it packs everything you could ask for from a musical family adventure.