Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022)

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is the kind of family movie that wins you over with pure good will: a big-city fairy tale where the jokes are gentle, the heart is sincere, and the music feels like an open invitation to relax and smile. It captures that jittery “new kid in New York” feeling and then softens it with a singing crocodile whose sweetness is matched by the film’s bright, bouncy musical numbers. Javier Bardem, in particular, brings a delightfully go-for-broke energy that keeps the whole thing playful even when it brushes up against mild peril and stage-fright nerves. If you’re looking for edgy comedy or high-stakes spectacle, this isn’t it—but if you want a charming, warm-hearted crowd-pleaser that’s easy to watch with kids (and surprisingly pleasant for adults), it’s a lovely choice.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is clearly aiming to be a warm, old-school family musical about fitting in, facing anxiety, and finding your people in a big city, with a big-hearted gimmick at the center. The problem is it plays things very safe: the story is predictable, the runtime feels longer than the material deserves, and the plot can come off a bit stitched-together as it hops from one set piece to the next. If you’re hoping for sharp comedy, real emotional bite, or a brisk pace, this may test your patience. But if you’re watching with younger kids who’ll happily ride along for catchy songs, a friendly creature, and a few sweet bonding moments, it mostly delivers what it promises.