Riddle of Fire (2024) — Movie Review

Weston Razooli's feature directorial debut, "Riddle of Fire", offers a whimsical tone that camouflages the film's finely constructed details. It follows the thrilling adventure of three children - brothers Hazel (Charlie Stover) and Jodie (Skyler Peters) and friend Alice (Phoebe Ferro), as they trespass an OTOMO warehouse, acquire an item tagged "Angel", and celebrate this victory by dashing away on their motorbikes. Notwithstanding the various challenges the trio triumphantly navigates, they are unable to crack an essential password that unlocks a television set needed to operate their new game console, Angel. The only person who can unravel this code is Hazel and Jodie’s ailing mother, Julie (Danielle Hoetmer). However, she sets a particular condition - the creation of a unique blueberry pie. This demand sets off a series of events, which includes a hunt for a secret recipe, a shopping spree for ingredients, and an exciting chase in the forest after a special egg stolen by the character they dub "Woodsy Bastard". Perceived through the eyes of these Peter Pan-like characters, their escapades are both amusing and enlightening.

The film is beautifully decorated with a magical blend of fairy tale and fantasy, complemented by the impressive performances of the young actors. The soundtrack and Kodak 16mm film further enhance the film's enchanting narrative journey. However, "Riddle of Fire" sometimes loses its vigor, as the plot spins erratically. Notwithstanding, the film maintains a distinctive charm that prevents it from spiraling into an unpleasant narrative. The film strikes a balance between the character's selfish desires and their quest for pleasantness, a blend Razooli masterfully captures. This skilful balance gives a feeling of a potential classic fairy tale in the making.