Riddle of Fire Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Riddle of Fire Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 26, 2024

Writer/director Weston Razooli wants to restore the days of high adventure with “Riddle of Fire,” which is a mash-up of “Goonies” energy and role- playing gaming, featuring a very young cast working in the open world of Montana. The helmer looks at the challenges of life from a kid perspective, finding the magic of childhood as the story sends three friends on a perilous quest to bring a blueberry pie to an ailing mother for control of the television. “Riddle of Fire” is not a romp, with Razooli slowing down with the feature, stretching out a 75-minute idea to a 115-minute-long run time, and pacing isn’t always kind. The reward for patience is a chance to watch an adventurous filmmaker summon a unique look at amateur actor energy, playing with unrefined ways to capture a special spirit for the endeavor, which retains some wonderful moments of humor and mystery.

Hazel (Charlie Stover), Alice (Phoebe Ferro), and Jodie (Skyler Peters) are on a mission one afternoon, working with their dirt bikes and paintball guns to infiltrate a warehouse. Inside is the Otomo Angel, a video game console they intend to steal, returning home for a day of feasting and playing. Leisure is blocked by a T.V. password, with Hazel and Jodie’s sick mother, Julie (Danielle Hoetmer), reluctant to unlock the device, finally agreeing to freedom if the kids fetch a blueberry pie from Celia the baker (Colleen Baum). Trouble occurs when Celia doesn’t have one in stock, reluctantly giving the children her recipe. On the mission to retrieve items from a supermarket, the trio watch as Johnny (Charles Halford) takes the last speckled egg, following him to a home he shares with The Enchanted Blade Gang, led by Anna-Freya (Lio Tipton), mother to young Petal (Lorelei Oliva Mote). Determined to collect the egg, Hazel, Alice, and Jodie follow Anna-Freya and her crew up Faery Castle Mountain, exposed to her strange magic.

Hazel, Jodie, and Alice are kids focused on results, using their rides and weapons to pull off a pint-sized heist in the beginning of “Riddle of Fire.” They want an Otomo Angel, and they have skills of stealth to get the job done, establishing their clever ways as they get away with their prize, only to come up against the power of passwords. Julie has a nasty cold, and she wants the kids to enjoy the outdoors, also craving a taste of pie Jodie finished off without telling anyone. “Riddle of Fire” sets up a mythic quest for the kids, with these rural Montana knights offered prime gaming time if they return with a sweet treat, putting Hazel, Jodie, and Alice in motion as they seek success to acquire their desired reward. Razooli creates a mood of ye old storytelling with the feature, and he generates a tempting odyssey for the children, lowering stakes to their level.

All does not go well for the trio, who seek help from Celia, and she’s too hot to work, sending the kids off to find something cold that’s isn’t ice. It’s a riddle the children work to solve, eventually acquiring a recipe that calls for a special egg. A loose plot is kicked off with the arrival of Johnny, who takes the egg to The Enchanted Blade Gang, with Anna-Freya displaying witch-like powers as she plans a mission for the group. Hazel, Jodie, and Alice refuse to say die, following the adults into the woods, soon joined by Petal, who would rather be with kids her own age. “Riddle of Fire” is exaggerated, but not excessively so, having some fun with phone surveillance equipment and paintball gun sharpshooting. It also generates interest in the steps of the quest, offering a video game-style path of item retrieval and impasses, which is amusingly performed by the cast.

Riddle of Fire Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Riddle of Fire" was shot in 16mm, and the image presentation (2.35:1 aspect ratio) protects the softer, warmer viewing experience found in the feature. Detail reaches as far as possible, preserving skin particulars and stages of wear and tear on the characters. Living spaces are dimensional, and forest adventure run deep, preserving the expanse of the land. Color delivers distinct primaries throughout, and greenery is exact. More varied hues are found with decorative additions and costuming. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy and film-like.

Riddle of Fire Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA track preserves the quieter moods of "Riddle of Fire," offering a largely frontal listening experience. Dialogue exchanges are clear, preserving messier kid performances and magical commands. Scoring retains sharp instrumentation and emphasis at times, and soundtrack selections are defined. Musical moods offers some surround engagement, along with atmospherics. Some panning effects are welcome. Low-end perks up with heavier beats and milder motorcycle rumble.

Riddle of Fire Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (22 pages) features an essay by writer Ariel Esteban Cayer.

• Commentary features writer/director Weston Razooli.

• Behind the Scenes (9:56, HD) offers a look at the creation of "Riddle of Fire," going the fly-on-the-wall route with raw footage of the production in motion.

• "Overexposing" (19:57, HD) is an interview with cinematographer Jake L. Mitchell, who was eager to join the production of "Riddle of Fire," connecting with writer/director Weston Razooli. Educational adventures are shared, with Mitchell learning how to shoot on film in school, enjoying the process. The interviewee highlights the work with various film stocks, and details creative inspirations and challenges. Perhaps most interesting are thoughts concerning working with young actors, and the drive to create film prints for exhibition.

• "At the Top" (11:02, HD) is an interview with actor Charlie Stover, who discusses his co-stars, enjoying his time with other kids on the set, even keeping up friendships with a few of them. On-set memories are shared, and favorite scenes are recalled. Physical challenges are identified as well, with Stiver learning how to ride a motorcycle, also tasked with navigating a river for one sequence.

• "A Big Roll of Tape" (9:25, HD) is an interview with actress Lorelei Olivia Mote, who's been acting since she was three years old, coming to "Riddle of Fire" with experience in the industry. Co-stars and writer/director Weston Razooli are celebrated, and on-set memories are shared, especially working with film.

• "Best Grilled Cheese" (6:33, HD) is an interview with actress Phoebe Ferro, who explores her character in "Riddle of Fire," identifying similarities with Alice. On-set memories are shared, with the interviewee praising cast and crew efforts, also offering her love for the creative process. As a nine-year-old, her filming highlight came with food services, who managed to conquer her pickiness with awesome grilled cheese sandwiches.

• "Very Surprised" (7:03, HD) is an interview with actor Skyler Peters, who responded positively to the energetic nature of his character. On-set memories are shared, including a bathroom emergency and faking some of the motorcycle riding shots, with the cast sitting on a truck to sell movement.

• Image Gallery (1:35) collects BTS snaps.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:06, HD) is included.

Riddle of Fire Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Riddle of Fire" remains with a dry sense of humor and low-budget appreciation for action, but Razooli largely stays calm with the endeavor, taking his time with character interactions and seemingly unexplainable events. The feature is in no hurry to end, and such stillness tends to weaken the viewing experience, but it doesn't destroy it. There's too much entertainment value in watching the kids work on their problems and share pieces of their past (including Hazel's "marriage" to Alice), and raw performances are quite amusing, with young Peters and his subtitled dialogue stealing the film. "Riddle of Fire" gets far with its limited budget, as Razooli has a sizable imagination for the material, creating an inviting examination of determination, sold with lovely 16mm cinematography, unusual music choices (including a selection from "Cannibal Holocaust"), and trust in the cinematic power of juvenile adventuring.