Riddle of Fire

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.

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.

First thing - I know I would have LOVED this movie as a kid. It has children with strong will, acting independently, not being undermined as "just kids". I think as a kid, I would have watched this film dozens of times.

Secondly, as an adult, I still enjoyed this movie. A kids movie that also works for adults? As a parent, let me tell you, those don't come so easy.

Thirdly, the mix between video-game plot elements, aesthetics, structure, etc. Were delightful. The sets (I had to google where it was filmed - Wyoming I think?) were beautiful, and took us out of the usual "seen this a million times" aesthetics.

Fourth, I think the actors (kid actors) were very natural and did a great job. At no moment in the film did I cringe from acting, even though some film critics didn't seem satisfied (yes The Guardian, I'm thinking of you).

In general, this movie is original and atypical. I actually WANT to reccoment it to people, and feel like I want to keep an eye on the director's future creations. Maybe the reason why critics didn't enjoy it so much is because it neither fits into the festival-film aesthetics, nor the commercial film aesthetics. Why? Maybe because this is an actual Auteur film. The movie conveys a personal sense of reality and fantasy, crosses borders, does its own thing without so much a bother of if it fits into a category or another. It doesn't shy away from scenes that can seem a bit ridiculous, for the purpose of the magic and fantasy of the story and what it conveys.

I give it a big A+ - highly reccomended.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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!!!

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!