For years the film industry has been in a stranglehold of superhero movies, remakes, and films based on existing properties. Recently superhero fatigue appears to have set in and glimmers of more original films are starting to poke through. One such ray of originality is that of Weston Razooli’s Riddle of Fire.
The feature debut of Razooli, Riddle of Fire is a breath of fresh air amongst the sea of samey blockbusters. Tonally falling somewhere between The Goonies, Turbo Kid, and Son of Rambow, Riddle of Fire is equal parts charming and quirky. The plot follows three young friends as they embark on a quest to bake a blueberry pie for one of their mothers. Along the way they encounter poachers, witches, and a flurry of other questionable characters.
What makes Riddle of Fire so endearing is that it is told through the imagination of children. The legitimacy of the ‘monsters’ they encounter rests within their minds, and Razooli perfectly encapsulates life through the lens of a child. As their quest begins, the magic of Riddle of Fire – the dynamic of the main trio – is revealed. The young cast, Charlie Stover, Phoebe Ferro, and Skyler Peters, give natural and charming performances. They quickly whisk the viewer into the world of Hazel, Alice, and Jodie, and place them in the position of the invisible fourth member of the group. This trio is a brilliant blend of childlike wonder and innocence in the form of Jodie, with Hazel and Alice being slightly more jaded. They represent the different stages of childhood beautifully, and despite their weird and wild adventure, conjure feelings of nostalgia for the viewers’ own lost youth.
Set over the course of one summer’s day, Razzoli’s visuals capture that endless feeling that summer has when you are young. Filmed predominantly outdoors, the nature on display also feels neverending, transporting the characters to some far away fantasyland. Working with the whimsical script that blends ye olde English with more modern phrases, Riddle of Fire appears utterly out of time. This decision will enable Riddle of Fire to be future proof for generations to come. The themes explored – growing up and finding one’s place in the world – are universal; Riddle of Fire has the potential to become as influential and long-lasting as The Goonies, just a far more quirky offering.
Riddle of Fire
Summary
A charming must-see for those that embrace the strange and unusual, Riddle of Fire is brilliantly unique, endearingly wholesome, and utterly awesome.
Riddle of Fire premieres exclusively on the Icon Film Channel from 6th May for 30 Days. Riddle of Fire is released in selected UK cinemas from 7th June.
