Rita & Crocodile 3 – Rita og Crocodile 3 (2018)

Directed by: Siri Melchior | 45 minutes | animation, family | Dutch voice cast: Lux Parser

The enterprising toddler Rita has already gathered many – small and large – fans in the Netherlands. In two films of less than an hour and a half together, part 1 was shown in cinemas around Christmas 2017, the sequel in the summer of 2018, she introduced her peers and watching parents to the many facets of her character. And with her best friend Crocodile of course, of which nobody actually knows for sure whether he really exists. Because a girl and a crocodile don’t really mix, do they?

Well, well, that’s how ‘Rita & Crocodile 3’ shows. Because no matter how their friendship is sometimes tested, in the end they always turn out to be best buddies. Whether it’s a false accusation (Crocodile allegedly ate lunch), or wrong expectations (Crocodile can’t dress up as a cat, if Rita wants to be a witch on Halloween), there’s always a learning moment and Rita is another a bit wiser (but luckily for her fans she always makes mistakes, so that a new ‘conflict’ arises in the next adventure).

The nice thing about the character Rita is that both children and adults will find a connection. For toddlers and preschoolers, the situations will sometimes appear recognizable, for example when feeding ducks and the ducks don’t do what you think they are going to do, or get angry when they lose a game. Older viewers will recognize Rita’s traits in their own children or those around them.

And Crocodile? Crocodile is simply droll, with his growling stomach, his wise and sometimes stoic nature. A dear friend, who would actually grant you – fantasy or not – every child.

Just like in the previous films, the nine stories in ‘Rita & Crocodile 3’ are just long enough to hold the attention of the young movie viewers. The topics are diverse, from the holidays at the end of the year, to visiting a castle and surprising grandma with a birthday party. The animations are again a feast for the eyes. ‘Rita & Crocodile 3’ is the last film in the series. Definitely a must for anyone aged a year or two, two and a half to six!