On paper, Riddle of Fire sounds off-putting. A trio of paintball-firing hellions embark on an epic adventure to find the perfect blueberry pie for their sick mother, thwarted by a password lock on a new stolen gaming console. This mission is fraught with danger, as our heroes face off against a group of poachers, a witch, and a slightly jaded huntsman named “Woods-y Bastard.” His grainy 16mm photography and his nods to ’80s children’s movies like The Goonies and Stand by Me all suggest some kind of pandering nostalgia fest. . It’s a loud movie meant to coast on an “essential” comedy about kids swearing, being in danger, or both.
Thankfully, there’s very little of that in director Weston Lazurri’s feature debut. From the high-fantasy opening narration, to the deadpan, absurdist tone, to the dungeon synth soundtrack (just call it “”).UematsuCore”), Riddle of Fire charts its own weird and wonderful path. If you get on that wavelength even a little bit, you’ll find an absolutely fascinating adventure in one of his best films of the year so far.
Above all, Riddle of Fire is a triumph of tone. In telling the story of Alice (Phoebe Ferro), Hazel (Charlie Stover), and Jody (Skylar Peters), the protagonists are introduced on screen as the “Three Immortal Reptiles” (more on this later) To do). Lazuli effortlessly blends elements of classic RPGs. – rental favorites, and adults can dip into a totally unique stew. The closest point of comparison would be Wes Anderson’s recent work, particularly the deliberate artificiality and eccentric children of Moonrise Kingdom. The Reptiles are enrolled in something called “Dirt Bike Camp.” They meet the equally creatively named “Enchanted Blade Gang,” a group of poachers led by a witch (Rio Tipton). They become friends with the witch’s daughter Petal (Lorelai Mort). In Lazuli’s hands, and his old-fashioned, handmade aesthetic, it’s all very appealing.
There’s precision at work here. Note how the carefully arranged snack table (including a bouquet of gummy bears and whole cakes) and the stickers on the truck’s lockbox depict a full backstory that will be detailed later. please. Places and objects in the world of Lazuli include the destination of Alice, Hazel, and Jody’s arduous journey (Celia’s Bakery), or their precious console (Angel Palico, featured in Rift of Anaxia 6!) , has a unique name. What helps Riddle of Fire stand out is its Utah-via-Wyoming landscape. White rock cliffs, mountain forests, and log cabins. This place is based on a true love of the place and the wide range of possibilities it offers. A bright and imaginative child. There’s no hint of cynicism or betrayal of reality, just complete honesty and commitment to this work.
That precision extends to the dialogue, which is highly entertaining and often presented with awkward first-time touches that endear you throughout its 113-minute running time. There are lines like “You look like two prairie dogs,” “It’s better to be cute than cool,” or even a simple “Where the hell are you?” The words that come out of children’s mouths sound so fresh and strange, and so funny. Our main trio have great chemistry together and alone, often dominating the screen at first glance or eliciting laughs as they run into the store. In an unusual but useful move, all of Peters’ dialogue is subtitled. Sometimes it is difficult to understand him due to his age and lack of experience. And considering he gets some of the best lines, like “They’re blaring sweet, sweet country music!” – It’s hard to argue with this choice. This combination of cowboy poetry and fantastical absurdity is surprising in the best sense of the word, but it never takes you away from the story or the characters.
At its center, the mystery of fire This is a movie about the bond of friendship between childhood friends. Immortal Lizard His gang may fight with each other, experience setbacks, or be at the mercy of the bastards of the forest. But as it turns out, they do all this for each other (and for gaming consoles, they lovingly adore 100 Gecs-esque songs). In the end, she also finds a new friend in Petal, a lonely princess and burgeoning witch. The final scene is as sweet and satisfying as blueberry pie. Oh, will that plot work?