4 Things Families Should Know about Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

Josh Primm is a timid middle school boy who is trying to adjust to a new city and a new school.

He sits alone. He eats alone. He walks alone.

Even his Google searches are heartbreaking ("how to make new friends at school," unfortunately, leads to a dead end).

But then Josh meets someone who also needs a friend. This new acquaintance is a lot like Josh: quiet and shy. He's awkwardly tall – yes – but he also has a loud radio-worthy voice that easily carries through the streets and alleys of New York.

Did we mention he's a crocodile? Nevertheless, Josh and his new friend, Lyle, instantly hit it off, filling each other's needs as they navigate the trials of life.

Of course, having a crocodile as a best friend has its challenges – like avoiding animal control and nosy neighbors. And talking your parents into accepting this odd arrangement.

The new live-action film Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (PG) follows the story of Josh, Lyle and their families. It stars Shawn Mendes as the voice of Lyle – who sings but never talks – and Winslow Fegley as Josh.

Here are four things you should know:

It's Based on a Children's Book

The film is based on the 1965 children's book of the same name by author Bernard Waber, who wrote it as a sequel to the 1962 book The House on East 88th Street. Like the movie, it told the story of a family, Mr. and Mrs. Primm, their son Joshua, and their pet crocodile, Lyle. Lyle plays with children – even jumping rope. He helps Mrs. Primm cook. (He does that in the movie, too.) The antagonist in the book and movie is the perfectly named Mr. Grumps, whose goal is to see Lyle captured and placed in a zoo. The book and the movie also feature the eccentric character Hector P. Valenti, Lyle's former trainer.

The book and the movie differ in the ending. In the book, Lyle rescues Mr. Grumps from a fire – an action that turns Mr. Grumps into an apologetic kind man. The movie lacks that scene. Instead, it ends with a courtroom case and has Mr. Grumps staying grumpy until the end.

It's about the Power of Friendship

If you like the Paddington franchise, then you'll likely enjoy Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, too. That's because each one includes positive messages about friendship – or, more specifically, how one kind individual can change a group of people for the better. Thanks to Lyle, Josh learns to be courageous and optimistic. His mom – reluctant at first of having a crocodile in the house – learns to loosen up and enjoy life.

"He's just lonely – like I was," Josh tells his mom. "He cares about me."

Thanks to his new friend, Josh no longer feels like a stranger in New York City.

This friendship is a two-way street. That's because Lyle learns to overcome his fear of singing in public. (Encouraged to sing for the police and then for animal control in order to avoid capture, Lyle always grows shy. But toward the film's end, Josh gives Lyle the courage to perform in the televised talent show Show Us What You Got.)

The film encourages children to reach out to acquaintances who need a friend. It also encourages them to "build up" their friends with positive words and unconditional love. (After Lyle clams up on stage, Josh tells him, "I don't care if you sing or not. Either way, I think you're awesome.”)

Technically a musical, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile features fewer songs than many other films in that genre.

It's Hilarious and Charming

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile isn't as good as Paddington or Paddington 2, but it's nonetheless charming and hilarious. The over-the-top, unfriendly antics of Mr. Grumps and his cat Loretta provide much of the comedy. He scolds Mr. Primm for placing trash in his trash can. ("Don't be coming round here scattering your suburban mediocrity all over my trash.”) He encourages the city to ban double-wide strollers. ("Just because somebody made the mistake of having a second child doesn't mean that I should be forced off the sidewalk.”)

The film also includes plenty of slapstick comedy. Lyle accidentally ingests a hand-held massager – as well as Mr. Grumps' cat. Mr. Primm dons his high school wrestling tights and "defeats" Lyle in a match.

It's Largely Family-Friendly

For the most part, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is the type of movie parents can embrace. It contains minor language (details below), very little violence (we see a pro-wrestling-style move and a frightening but non-violent crocodile attack) and no sexuality. (Although we do see Valenti in the shower from the waist up and then Lyle in the shower, too. He tries covering up with a small towel. Mrs. Primm works out in a sports bra. Mr. Primm also wonders if there is someone else in his wife's life due to her sudden discovery of joy.)

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile may contain a few bumps in the road but is nevertheless one of the best family films of the year.

Rated PG for mild peril and thematic elements. Language details: OMG (3 -- all by the quick-talking Josh).

Entertainment rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Family-friendly rating: 4 out of 4 stars.

Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Image Source

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.