Riddle of Fire (2023) User Reviews

MMM, PIE

[js-66130 · 7/10 · 22 March 2024]

Make no mistake, this is not great movie-making, and with that caveat out of the way, we shall proceed.

With many elements to love - precocious kids on motorbikes wielding paint guns outsmarting buffoonering adults - this bizarre, amateur school play of a movie does spin a yarn of charm that is undeniable. Forget the Swiss cheese plot, just crawl through the holes and enjoy the potty-mouthed kids as they serve up some whoopass comeuppance on the elderly fools that dare stand in their quest to fulfill a blueberry pie recipe for their ailing mother - bed ridden, with what seems to be just a common cold and a strange craving for pie. Once they deliver, she will hand over the password for their television so's they can play their favourite video game. Uh, yeah. Again, the plot is the weak link here, and frankly it seems to be deliberately childish. Like kids came up with this tall tale!

Shot in washed out and grainy 16mm film, this nails the eighties, which may or may not be reason to celebrate. Certainly not for the masses, this does have enough offbeat appeal to enjoy cult status, especially if mind-altering substances are involved. Perhaps one of those giant sugary sodas.

Much like someone you knew growing up, there is a kid with a fast and hard to follow slurry speech pattern. Brilliant solution: subtitles. No need for recasting or dubbing. If only life were so easy. "Riddle of Fire" is one crackpot movie that somehow captures the free-wheeling unbridled innocence of brash youth on a summery day epic adventure, when life was indeed easy. Nice and easy. And super weird.

• hipCRANK.

Fun, adventurous storytelling

[jfgibson73 · 8/10 · 27 April 2024]

Is this movie something special? I think some viewers will feel that it is. I think two reasons include: 1) It follows some free-range kids on an "adventure," and 2) The film quality gives it a retro look. These two elements add a sense of nostalgia for filmgoers of a certain age. The fact that the kids just roam the county with no parents checking in on them sets this movie apart from anything else made in a long, long time. There is also a slightly surreal quality to a lot of the scenes; the filmmakers did NOT go for a sense of realism. Instead, the children are able to do and say things that kids would like to be able to do, but never really could in real life. So it's kind of like a stylized way of telling the story from a kid's perspective--kind of like how Night of the Hunter has it's own logic at times. I happened to enjoy it, even when not everything worked 100%. For example, the fabled dance sequence: this should have been a highlight, but I didn't feel like it had the intended effect for me. Still, I very much appreciate that someone was able to get this made, and I would be interested to see what the writer/director does in the future. It's the kind of story I wouldn't mind telling if I were ever to write.

Looking for something to watch with your family? Look No Further.

[clarasyliboy · 8/10 · 14 April 2024]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ First off. I doubt you'd find anything quite like this one. The acting from the young main characters are amazing! You can't keep your eyes off them and because of them, they keep you engaged and intrigued throughout the whole film. Start to finish.

Looking for something to watch that you haven't seen a hundred times that both you and your kids will enjoy? This is it. RIDDLE OF FIRE has it ALL. Wholesome,funny,drama,fantasy, action & a tiny innocent but of romance. This director/ Writer is a freaking genius!! I seriously hope to be seeing more from him & what else he has in store for us. He gave the world a true gem with this one...We all need to protect this man with all costs!!!

A Must See

[nadia-90817 · 30 March 2024]

You want to reconcile yourself with the magic of life watch "Riddle of Fire".

Brilliant, fun, emotional.

The child that you were resurfaced within you.

The way it is filmed in 16mm take you back in the 70' it gives you the feeling of being in that era.

All the actors the children, the bad and the uggly, the regulars all are authentic no doubt these people exist.

The story is full of twists and turns, unexpected events, you don't get bored for a second.

A wonderful journey that leaves you with a light heart and a smile on your face.

You want to do yourself good, go see the film.

Relax and enjoy.

A fun children's adventure tale that reminds me of the old live action Disney adventure stories

[chenp-54708 · 6/10 · 15 April 2024]

This movie reminds me a lot of the early children adventures movies I have grown up watching as a kid. A story about adventures, fantasy, friendship, and the journey to find something. Using 16mm film, the filmmaker perfectly captures the essence of children fairytale adventures with gorgeous looking production, camerawork, soundtrack, and really good child performances from the cast members.

The writing and the themes explored fits very well with the setting and direction. Many of the choices made feel childish and strange but it is intentional as it helps add the child-like adventures and craziness that we kids would go through to seek an adventure. With the characters being pretty fun to observe, many of the child performances are really good with each feeling nature and realistic of what how children really act and speak.

Although, it isn't a perfect movie. For a runtime of 114 minutes, it does feel tedious and some of the pacing really did drag the movie that made me zone out a little during the second act. But as a whole, I appreciate the filmmaker being able to capture the tone and atmosphere very well and it's definitely a project that he is passionate about.

But I definitely will be keeping an eye on this director.

Soon to be classic movie

[tracedog-88025 · 10/10 · 25 May 2023]

No one makes kids movies like this anymore. The only kid's movies you see made nowadays are animated. This movie just makes you leave the theater with a smile on your face. Beautiful on the big screen especially the night scenes, even more impressive knowing this is probably not a big budget film. Can't wait to see it in the US theaters. Gorgeous cinematography using authentic 16 mm film.

This takes you back in time with its nostalgic feel. This film is on the lines of Stand by me and Goonies.

The dance scene is memorable playing the favorite "Baby Come Back".

You can't go wrong when you Colby any kids movie with dirt bikes, paintball guns, and a classic bad guy in big John Redeye.

Perfect kids ...

[kosmasp · 10/10 · 21 April 2024]

... well maybe not that perfect, so no pun intended. Although they are quite something when it comes to the acting department! A friend said that the kid actors are getting better or they choose better than many decades ago. This movie would be further proof of that - even though a dance scene might suggest something else - that was really weird in not a good sense. At least in my opinion.

But even small flaws and moral issues aside: the movie is fun! Do not try this at home - or anywhere else! But the movie itself tells us, that it is not reality ... neo fairy tale is the term if I got it right. Just go with the flow, enjoy the kids and the adults ... but more the kids ... because this was made for and about them.

Just ignore some of the juvenile behavior ... which at times is being pointed out too ... surprised at the rating - because of the curse words! And kids saying them too ... maybe the theme is what gave them some slack ... anyway, really good and a throwback to childhood and friendship ...

There is nothing at all redeeming about this film

[Boristhemoggy · 1/10 · 17 April 2024]

3 kids go off looking for a blueberrry pie for their poorly mama, and have adventures and stuff in the woods.

I imagined seeing something along the lines of the most excellent Bridge to Terabithia. Sadly, it was more like watching an 80's version of some appalling kids show. I can't even think of anything awful enough to compare it with.

The plot is ridiculous, the acting is appalling, cinematography looks like it's been done on an 80's Super 8. There is nothing, absolutely nothing redeeming about this film. It's not even a cult classic like Teeth. When a film is too bad to even be a cult classic you know it's bad.

I rated it a 1 and if I had the option to put 0 I would have.

Where should i Even Begin...

[Charons_Nightmare · 10/10 · 19 April 2024]

The most "dungeon synth" movie of all time (the Opening credits let us know that Fogweaver and Holedwller are just two of the many creators who helped composing the score for this illustrious masterpiece)

Beginning with the careless attitude of days of childhood in a bizarr near fantasy envirment the movie captures one immediatly with the grainy 16mm aethetics. Like old family films the scenes play out this epic quest for video games and like a good rpg itself the side quests and the main quest are strongly intertwined.

Like if the goonies run into Panos Cosmatos' weird world of Mandy we see the weird in the familiar and the familiar in the weird.

The title track of Cannibal holocaust in the end sequences really brings home the whole story and charm of the movie.

Weird, morbid, quirky, offbeat and although absurdist also very open and charming, never sarcastic, this movie has it all!

Not for children

[zikarro · 1/10 · 16 April 2024]

Way way way too much foul language for a family movie.

It is rated pg13 for a reason. There is way too much swearing in the movie.

Had they taken out the filthy language that the children use through out the entire movie it could have been a decent movie even with the not so decent child actors.

The swearing throughout the entire movie ruined it. Why they thought they needed to have children curse constantly is beyond my comprehension. Who ever thought that this was a good idea? This could have been avoided but they wanted that Pg13 rating I suppose. I could have said this in fewer words but IMDb is forcing me to add more.

Refreshing & Heartfelt

[annavujovic-04750 · 10/10 · 17 September 2023]

It's midnight hr in Toronto, as the lights dimmed and the audience settled in their seats, an immediate sense of excitement filled the air. Little did we know that we were about to embark on a heartwarming journey that would touch our souls and bring so much joy.

Director Weston Razooli is a superb storyteller, and this movie is a cinematic gem that transcends the boundaries of time and place to deliver a beautiful message about friendship, love & happy childhoods. Oh, to be a kid again!

In an age where films are typically more animated and characters are somewhat inhuman, "Riddle of fire" stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the human connection creating so much joy watching it. It's a film that reminds us of the importance of love, music (the scene with 'baby come back' had us all dancing), and the connections we share with one another.

Don't miss the opportunity to experience this touching masterpiece; it's a symphony of pure joy you won't soon forget.

Our children deserve more films like this. A new classic is born!

An Instant, Original Classic

[jordanaz-31135 · 9/10 · 22 April 2024]

Riddle of Fire is not only shot beautifully in it's own whimsical, 80s filtered camera, but the dialogue alsp feels just as whimsical, yet organic at the same time. The best way to sum up the feel of the film is Princess Bride meets Napoleon Dynamite meets Stranger Things. The premise is simple to the film and many great misadventures spawn from it. All the characters are interesting and have yourself asking what the back stories are to these characters. The youngest boy being the only character with subtitles is always hilarious especially since his lines are so good! Riddle of Fire is set in the modern day but feels so in touch with a past time. You can tell the love that went into this project and that the actors really enjoyed making this film. Can't wait to see what the producer makes next!

Instant Cult Classic

[adajohannawolters · 10/10 · 17 September 2023]

Questing through vast imaginative terrain with Razooli's disarmingly single-minded young heroes and Technicolor Disney villains is such a heady pleasure you won't know whether to spontaneously combust or simply evaporate. Yes, Riddle of Fire has paintball guns and tiny motorcycles, enigmatic new friends, after-hours delirium, sudden, heartwarming reunions, and a mountainside overgrown with prop mushrooms from the theatre guild storage room. It also has that thing where the ends never quite touch, where you get to hang out in the charge between the poles. An absolute blast for total non-squares.

A Warm Feeling Of Youth

[statuskuo · 9/10 · 29 March 2024]

You're going to miss your friends and the moments that make up your memories.

And then pine for them when reality of life sets in.

Here are three precocious, plucky and determined kids who start off their adventure with a heist. Though the sense of morality will nick at your brain, it isn't necessary their crime but their Little Rascals way of doing it.

We learn it is to get a new video game system. A rather expensive heist (in kid money anyway). Not that it is excused, but the kids all come from broken homes. They aren't abused kids, but a little neglected. Similar to "The Florida Project" When the three scamps get home, they realized their Mom had locked them out of the television. She encourages them to go play outside, but they eventually make a deal with her to find a blueberry pie and then they can game for a few hours. Little do they know, it turns into a bigger adventure than they anticipated.

This film hits all the warm feelings o lazy summer days with your neighborhood pals. In this case, they are a bit limited, since it's in remote Wyoming.

The three kids even "adopt" a fourth kid which is all included in the fairy tale they've created for themselves. It has witches, ogres, wizards and some odd cult magic. For those who watched "Stand By Me" or "The Goonies" back in the day, you know you wanted to go on adventures with your friends. As one who grew up in Ohio, that feeling of hanging with your friends in the woods trying to find buried treasure is as close to the sensibility as I can describe.

The Mother sending them out for the pie is the typical catalyst of a lot of 80's flicks. It was never to get the pie, but to get them outside. And the ending where she dismissively waves off their absence as just a few hours is very reminiscent of a movie like "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" The kids are wonderful in this. Jodie, the one who is subtitled, delivers his lines so dismissively you have to laugh. Alice FEELS like that girl who is more emotionally advanced then the boys. Hazel has his ups and downs with childhood and adolescents And their adopted friend Petal is remarkable. Her long diatribe of their plot on a log thus far is one of the most impressive child acting I've seen in a while. I found myself laughing at the words pouring out. As she was near flawless. A moment later, there is a poignant conversation about their parents and a bit of backstory on each of them.

Childhood wonder is what is missing in cinema.

This fairy tale corrects that. A wonderful watch with friends in a theater.

Kid Driven Indie Adventure

[nicolemerat · 10/10 · 9 April 2024]

Wow! What a fantastic film. This movie was the kind of story I would have made up as a kid and acted out with my friends (and definitely DID, with my mom's old VHS camera). Adventurous, magical, innocent, and with just the right amount of danger, Riddle of Fire excels at centering the tale of the children as they navigate a serious adult dilemma. Whimsy with a shadow of violence, the energy of this film felt real and surreal at the same time. The music added a layer that made the whole thing feel like a fairy tale. Loved the authentic performances, the old-school quality of film itself (I was lucky enough to see it shown in 35mm), and the original story that I found to be beautiful in its simplicity. An absolute treat. I've never wanted blueberry pie more.