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‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’ Review: A Heartwarming Croc ‘n’ Roll Musical 

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One little discovery, one giant adventure! Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile brings the pages of the beloved classic to life! This musical-driven story is adorable as Families will be rooting for this misunderstood loveable creature! As this Crocodile teaches us to overcome our obstacles. Based on the best-selling book series by Bernard Waber, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is a live-action/CGI musical comedy that brings this beloved character to a new, global audience.

When the Primm family (Constance Wu, Scoot McNairy, Winslow Fegley) 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 (Shawn Mendes) who loves baths, caviar and great music-living in the attic of his new home. The two become fast friends, but when Lyle’s existence is threatened by evil neighbour Mr. Grumps (Brett Gelman), the Primm’s must band together with Lyle’s charismatic owner, Hector P. Valenti (Javier Bardem), to show the world that family can come from the most unexpected places and there’s nothing wrong with a big singing crocodile with an even bigger personality.

This warm, charming adaptation truly reinvents the show by presenting a new take on mixing live-action with animation. The expressive eyes and shyness truly capture Lyle’s characteristics and silky singing voice provided by Shawn Mendes, Although Lyle doesn’t talk throughout a trait that is carried over from Waber’s beloved picture book series which began in 1962 with “The House on East 88th Street” Throughout the film we get an understanding of the gentle sweet soul that’s beneath his scaly exterior.

Lyle the crocodile (voice of Shawn Mendes) in “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.” (Sony Pictures/Columbia Pictures)

This adaptation tells the story of showman Hector P.Valenti played fantastically with an exuberant performance from Javier Bardem, he’s a man searching for fame and fortune after repeatedly auditioning and failing to round up an audience. Spectacularly he stumbles upon something magical at the pet store, a singing baby crocodile and believing he’s found such a spectacle he raises Lyle with him to perform which ultimately doesn’t go well and Hector leaves his pet at home to seek work out and leaves the family that moves in to discover a reptilian housemate that throughout the movie teaches each family member to let loose. Lyle’s friendship with Josh (Winsow Fegley) who’s trying to manage his anxiety at being the new kid in school and in a big-and-scary new city he’s terrified of the dangers of urban living. These two outcasts begin an unlikely friendship as they bond over dumpster dives and rooftop dinners in the theatre district, Lyle ultimately frees Josh from his anxieties and begins to teach two valuable lessons to Josh’s parents. Katie (Constance Wu) learns to let loose as she delivers a catchy song-and-dance number with Lyle (Shawn Mendes) in “Rip Up The Recipe” and the lovable Crocodile teaches Joseph to unleash his inner animal.

However, everything is not at all musical as below them in the brownstone’s basement apartment is the apt named Mr Grumps (Brett Gelman) who is suspicious of the family and can’t stand the noise from above and he keeps looking for reasons to get them evicted. He’s strangely obsessed with his grump-looking cat Loretta. This cat which is sometimes depicted through CGI is the writer’s tool for plenty of comedic and potty humour that’s perfect for the young viewers watching.

From left, Constance Wu, Winslow Fegley, Lyle the crocodile (voice of Shawn Mendes) and Javier Bardem in “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.” (Sony Pictures/Columbia Pictures)

The film is harmless fun and contains plenty of laughs and sweet moments to keep you entertained. The screenplay written by Will Davies allows the story to incorporate the extravaganza pop-rock musical moments thanks to Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the hit songwriters behind some of the greatest movies/musicals such as “The Greatest Showman”, “Dear Evan Hansen”, and “La La Land”. Throughout the film, they collaborate with Ari Afsar, Emily Gardner Xu Hall, Mark Sonnenblick and Joriah Kwamé to create original tunes that become catchy. The soundtrack includes many favourites from the soaring anthem of “Top of The World”, the emotional power ballad “Carried Away” and my absolute favourite the darling duet “Take a Look AT Us Now” sung by Bardem and Mendes.

Under the direction of Will Speck and Josh Gordon, “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile succeeds in creating a fun and entertaining family movie musical that has tons of heart and gentle life lessons. Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is now showing in cinemas around the US and UK from Friday the 14th of October 

Your Little Crocs can download a Lyle activity pack HERE!

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Animation

The Garfield Movie | Official Trailer — Starring: Chris Pratt

Animated feature film based on the popular comic strip about a sarcastic, lasagna-loving cat.

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Genre:

Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Release Date:

May 24, 2024

Director:

Mark Dindal

Cast:

Samuel L. Jackson, Nicholas Hoult, Chris Pratt

Plot Summary:

Animated feature film based on the popular comic strip about a sarcastic, lasagna-loving cat.

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Animation

‘Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie’ Review | A Pawsome Super-Powered Sequel!

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Power Up… “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” is a Super delightful family adventure that is sure to please the young & young at heart! The animation from Mikros Animation is absolutely adorable and the story is impactful, highlighting the importance of even the smallest members of the team can make the biggest difference!

Synopsis

When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The MIGHTY PUPS! For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true. But things take a turn for the worse when the pups’ archrival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams up with a mad scientist to steal the superpowers for the two villains. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance, the Mighty Pups have to stop the supervillains before it’s too late, and Skye will need to learn that even the smallest pup can make the biggest difference.

Review

The Paw Patrol franchise is now 10 years old which in dog years can be up to 70 years old depending on your dog and with each instalment, children and their parents have been treated to exciting adventures, wholesome characters and cool new merchandise. What began as a preschool TV series back in 2013 created by Keith Chapman finally got the Hollywood silver-screen treatment in 2021 with “PAW Patrol: The Movie” directed by Cal Brunker who returns for this mighty follow-up. The films have broadened their scale and reach alongside their lesson-learning story-driven narrative.

Much like Chase in the first film battling confidence issues against a traumatic situation, here it’s Skye’s spotlight moment. Her merit and worth are assessed when fighting her insecurities as the smallest of the group, the smallest in her litter growing up. A challenge for her resolve, seeking and affirming her niche under these rearranged dynamics. The movie explores her heart-tugging backstory as the unwanted “runt” of her litter, whom Ryder eventually rescues. As the story unfolds, Skye realises that her self-worth isn’t tied to her size but to her inner strength and resilience. Returning writer-director Cal Brunker and co-screenwriter Bob Barlen add different facets to her arc to distinguish it from Chase’s anxiety issues. Her tiny pink bandana acts as a literal and figurative tie to her past. They include a beautifully poignant and emotional tear-jerking ballad called “Learning to Fly” from Christina Aguiler with breathtaking animation.

Courtesy of Paramount

This time, their mission holds greater challenge and peril — raising the bar creatively and delivering a smart sequel that features bolder action, bigger stakes, and deeper resonance for all ages. Like the show on which it’s based, the Mighty Movie focuses on teamwork, courage, believing in yourself, learning from your mistakes, encouraging your friends, and being a community helper. The pups each bring different talents to the crew, and they all work together during every emergency. They all discover they have a purpose, with or without powers.

PAW Patrol to the Rescue

Adventure City is safe and secure on land, at sea and in the air thanks to the elite PAW Patrol and their efforts to quell crime and avert disasters. Team leader Ryder is so confident in their ability to keep the peace that he’s decided to take on three young, clumsy and over-eager trainees: Nano (Alan Kim), Mini (Brice Gonzalez) and Tot (North West). Though the newest member of the pack, headstrong dachshund Liberty (Marsai Martin), Liberty’s character development delves into her apparent lack of a superpower as she’s looking for a purpose, is initially opposed to the idea, she stays behind to train the trio when the others are called out to fight danger. Little do they know a lurking evil is about to upend their lives.

From her lair in an abandoned observatory, scientific mastermind Victoria Vance (Taraji P. Henson) plots to magnetically harness a meteor and mine it for its powers. However, her plan goes awry, putting citizens at risk and the pups in its path. While Vance is sent to jail for her misdeeds — where she connects with the pups’ longtime foe Mayor Humdinger and his Kitten Catastrophe Crew — the patrol learns the massive rock contains special crystals that give them amazing abilities: Starting with teeny pilot Skye, who gains super strength and the ability to fly. The others soon touch their own crystals and find their powers: Rubble turns into a wrecking ball, Zuma controls water, Chase has super speed, Marshall can manipulate fire, and Rocky becomes magnetic. But just as The Mighty Pups are honing their newfound skill sets, a trap is set that threatens their livelihood.

Courtesy of Paramount

Taraji P. Henson is a delight as this film’s villain, Victoria Vance, with a delicious evil laugh. Victoria keeps insisting she is not a mad scientist. And fans of frequent Paw Patrol nemesis, former mayor and cat-lover Humdinger, will be glad to see him turn up as Victoria’s cell-mate, who helps her escape from jail. As I am in the UK our version of “Paw Patrol The Mighty Movie” is dubbed by the original UK voice actors from the show which I believe are Lewis LaHei (Ryder), Matthew Campbell (Chase), Jacob Baker (Marshall), Archie Flint (Rocky), Kit Gibbon (Rubble), Holly Thomas (Skye), Ollie Evans (Zuma), Michael Cross (Mayor Humdinger), and Mayor Goodway (Niki Felstead) 

The Mighty Movie also boasts impressive guest stars voicing minor characters, including Kristen Bell, James Marsden, and Kim Kardashian returning as pampered poodle social media star Delores and her children. In the UK Dub Two of Britain’s best-loved celebrities have managed to score themselves cameos in the film. The British radio and television personality Roman Kemp will appear in the film as Tony. Whilst Veteran newscaster and journalist Sir Trevor McDonald will voice the character of Sam Stringer, a news reporter. Roman Kemp will replace Neil Crone as the voice of Tony, Sir Trevor McDonald will replace Lil Rel Howery as Sam Stringer.

Action sequences and their aesthetics have evolved. Scenes that show the team functioning as a well-oiled machine are exhilarating, but pull double duty narratively, propelling the characters and their conflicts further. Mikros Animation once again has done a super job in providing the pups animation, especially when they receive their powers. The quality of animation is outstanding as they have improved the quality of animation from the first film by completely reworking their facial system. working very closely with animation and rigging, to produce a more efficient, good-looking and flexible facial expression system. The new costumes of the PAW patrol team are also incredible showing how the whole paw patrol has improved. They are cooler, more complex, but also practical!

Final Thoughts

“Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” is a Super delightful family adventure that gives young audience members the fun of a group of characters from which they can choose their favourite, a reminder about confidence and believing in themselves, and a lesson in teamwork. If there are any families looking for a new movie to take their kids to, “PAW Patrol The Mighty Movie” is a great choice. The film is preceded by a short featuring Dora the Explorer about saving the egg of an alebrijes.

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Animation

Scott Pilgrim | Official Teaser – Anime Coming Nov. 17th [Netflix]

The titular slacker and in a garage band named Sex Bob-omb with his friends. His life is turned upside down when he meets Ramona Flowers, an American girl who is recently single. But before their love can blossom, Pilgrim finds himself challenged by his love’s seven previous relationships, and must defeat them in over-the-top fashion.

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Genre:

Animation, Action, Adventure

Release Date:

November 17, 2023

Streaming:

Netflix

Cast:

Michael Cera, Chris Evans, Brandon Routh, Brie Larson, Aubry Plaza, Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Plot Summary:

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