“And when I rise, I rise up beyond these walls, I’ll make it beyond these walls.”
– Arlo, Netflix’s Arlo the Alligator Boy
Goodbye swamp, hello Big Apple, New York City in Netflix’s Arlo the Alligator Boy! 🍎🌃 When fun-loving and eternal optimist, Arlo, a half-alligator, half human boy, finds out he’s from the City That Never Sleeps, he sets out on a whirlwind adventure to find his father. But, throughout this whole process, he learns even more about himself and his place in this world.
The animated musical film, which is out now on the streaming platform, is a wonderful and uplifting story revolving around an abundance of terrific themes including the importance of friendship, celebrating what makes each person unique and different, and how when we all join together, we can conquer any tough times because we’re all beautiful together. As Arlo says farewell to his life at the swamp and his supportive and caring Edmée, a human who helped raise him, he meets a group of misfits who quickly become his new family. From crashing the Met Gala to starting a new chapter at the abandoned seaside neighborhood, Seaside by the Seashore, Arlo, Bertie and their amazing friends create unforgettable memories with each other and they discover that the place they’re destined to be is right there with each other.
Created by the remarkable and gifted, Ryan Crego, Arlo the Alligator Boy stars Michael J. Woodard, who voices the role of the lovable Arlo, and Mary Lambert, who lends her voice to Bertie, Arlo’s newfound best-friend. The cast is rounded out with the talents of Michael “Flea” Balzary of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who voices the role of Ruff, Annie Potts, who portrays Edmée, Tony Hale, who brings the character of Teeny Tiny Tony to life, Brett Gelman, who voices the role of Marcellus, Jonathan Van Ness, who brings all the sassy glamour to our screens as Furlecia, Haley Tju, who portrays Alia, Jennifer Coolidge, who lends her voice to Stucky, and Vincent Rodriguez III, who voices the role of Ansel Beauregard.
Arlo the Alligator Boy is a project that Crego first developed over a decade ago and it’s truly an incredible story that needs to be told and shared with the world. Everyday life may be a struggle sometimes to deal with, but Arlo teaches us that when we look at life with a new perspective and through the lens of positivity, things instantaneously get a lot better. Arlo not only makes an impact on the world around him, but he makes a great impact on all viewers as well. Both kids and adults are able to learn so many valuable life lessons throughout this film that will really stick with them.
On top of the exceptional storyline and the many touching moments, one of the most pivotal elements of the film is all of the stupendous songs. The songs, which were also written by genius Ryan Crego and the acclaimed composer / songwriter, Alex Geringas, helps relay the story and the film’s central themes. All of the songs have messages we all can relate to and they’re tracks that will undoubtedly get you emotional listening to.
Crego and the Netflix family knew that we all needed a stellar film like this — one that lifts our spirits up, especially in a time like now, one that shows how we all have our own story and those stories are what makes us… us, and a movie that leads us all on our own extraordinary journey. The great part about this is, we all will be able to enter in the lives of Arlo, Bertie and their pals even more with the follow-up series, I Heart Arlo, which will kick off as Arlo and his crew set up shop in an abandoned seaside neighborhood and help bring it back to life (more details on this soon!)
Arlo the Alligator Boy is bound to be a classic, animated film that generation upon generation will enjoy watching. In the wise words of the character Edmée, this musical delight reminds us all that “if we ever get lost, we just have to follow our wonderful little heart and all that joy inside our soul to be our guide.”
Alexisjoyvipaccess had a stupendous time interviewing Arlo the Alligator Boy creator / director, Ryan Crego and stars Michael J. Woodard and Mary Lambert all about what advice they would give to Arlo as he sets out on this new journey. They even reveal where they would like to see Arlo and his buddies venture off to next – hear what they had to say in our VIPAccessEXCLUSIVE interview below.
Check out my VIPAccessEXCLUSIVE interview with the phenomenal Ryan Crego, Michael J. Woodard and Mary Lambert below and be sure to watch Arlo the Alligator Boy out now on Netflix!