Movies with animals brought to life through visual effects are popular with audiences.

The new musical “Lilo, Lilo, Crocodile”, from American filmmaking duo Will Speck and Josh Gordon, has arrived in Brazil and promises to delight and amuse families in Espírito Santo.

Light, funny and unpretentious, the film opens like an escape from the last political tensions of the presidential election. Inspired by a children’s book, the live-action is so successful that it has already grossed over $50.7 million at the box office.

The film tells the story of the Primm family, who move to New York and face the difficulties of adjusting little Josh to his new school and his new friends. Everything changes when he discovers that Lilo, a singing crocodile, is living in his new home. The friends begin a plot full of adventures and, of course, music.

With a solid cast, made up of Spanish actor Javier Bardem and Americans Constance Wu, Winslow Fegley and Scoot McNairy, the film has a surprise in store: Canadian phenomenon Shawn Mendes, three-time Grammy Award nominee, gives voice to the singer crocodile in the original!

Asked, on the morning show of American television “Good Morning America”, about what it is like to make his film debut with a live-action of a crocodile made in computer graphics, the singer declared himself honored and happy to be part of the project.

“I never imagined this would happen. All my life, I think these movies have a positive effect on children. Being an animal in the movies is a journey! You don’t see how special it is until you’re watching it for the first time and hearing your voice coming out of something that so many people have worked to build. It’s an honor,” the singer said.

The Canadian also said he perceived some similarities to the character’s personality.

“At first he plays this giant thing, but he’s very shy and introverted. That’s what I constantly feel. I love that vulnerability and I’m at a point where I want to incorporate that more into my life,” Shawn Mendes said.

Other firsts

> “Coal”

The first feature film by Brazilian filmmaker Carolina Markowicz, “Carvão” tells the story of a family, from a rural town, which receives the offer to host a foreigner. Before he arrives, however, arrangements will have to be made and family life begins to change.

> “Kevin”

The documentary by filmmaker Joana Oliveira recounts the reunion of the Brazilian with her Ugandan friend Kevin Adweko, after 20 years without seeing each other. Joana travels to Uganda for the reunion. The friends met when they studied together in Germany.

> “The Club of Angels”

Adapted from the work of writer Luis Fernando Verissimo, “O Clube dos Anjos”, by Angelo Defanti, tells the story of a group of old friends who see the bonds of friendship reestablished during a banquet offered by a mysterious cook. After the night, one of them wakes up dead.

> “The Devil’s Light”

Tormented by a demon since childhood, Sister Ann learns to master the gift of casting out demons and becomes the first exorcist nun in a time of great possession cases. The film is directed by German filmmaker Daniel Stamm.