Ready? Set? Go! F1 is made for the Summer blockbuster season. With adrenaline-fueled racing sequences and a strong push-pull dynamic between leads Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, this is a film not to be missed.
F1 Review
I'm not a Formula One expert but I would say I'm a casual fan, who grew up watching all types of racing events with my grandfather and uncle. So if you're looking for someone writing about any of the technical aspects of the sport in relation to the film, this isn't the review for you. However, if you are like me or also just love a good sports film, you're in the right place. F1 is pure fun. It's exciting, incredibly shot, and it sticks to the blueprint of the genre set long ago courtesy of Rocky. In this case that's not a complaint, it's a compliment. You know what you're getting when you walk into F1 and you're going to enjoy every second of this feel-good, high-octane story.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) from a screenplay by Ehren Kruger, F1 is made for the Summer blockbuster season. With adrenaline-fueled racing sequences and a strong push-pull dynamic between leads Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, this is a film not to be missed on the big screen. IMAX will make you feel as if you're in the cars with these guys, speeding around the track at speeds most humans will never experience. The action set pieces are insane! Every camera angle you could possibly imagine is capturing all of the excitement as these machines fly down every straightaway and hug those tight turns, where one wrong move spells disaster. Even knowing where it has to end, the stakes feel real, the suspense builds nicely, and the joy felt by each small victory is infectious. It's a love letter to the sport but one that even casual, or dare I say non-car fans, are going to wholeheartedly enjoy.
F1 is a story about a “never-was” and a rookie who has the talent but not the discipline to succeed. Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) went from being one of the drivers to watch in the 90s to a man who lives in a van, driving in one-off races for money. He avoids deals, teams, or anything that resembles structure. That is until his old friend and fellow former driver Ruben (Javier Bardem) shows up. Ruben is now the head of APXGP racing and needs Sonny's help in order to get out of debt and keep the team. He reluctantly agrees, but that means he must also contend with Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), the young driver with arrogance to spare. The two will end up learning from each other on how to work as a team and ultimately it will reignite the love of racing in Hayes.
Before we talk about the incredible, intense, and spectacularly executed racing sequences, I think kudos need to be given to the cast. Racing is fun to watch but multiple laps around a track can get boring if you have no one you're actively cheering for. Kruger's script elevates this from a “go sports” kind of film to one of the better sports stories we have seen recently. There are well-timed comedic moments as well as genuinely emotional exchanges that all work to add layers to the characters. Even the ancillary members of team APXGP feel important. Not only because the cast is fully committed to their performances but also due to the way in which Pitt's character points out how they all need to be a team. The film itself is grounded in the rivalry between Sonny and Joshua, so that even as the corporate logos overtake the background it never feels like an overly long commercial.
You are endeared to these characters, committed to seeing their story to the end. Every heartache, setback, hope, and triumph feel personal as if you're watching your favorite real life racer (or other sports team) compete. Not only that but you want these two hardheaded men to learn to work together. I found myself saying “come on JP” and “really Sonny?” More than a few times. They get there but it's a marathon not a sprint that fortunately never makes you feel the long runtime.
Pitt once again proves he still has what it takes to convince us of whatever is needed to sell his character's story. Sonny is a jerk, but a lovable one. He might come across as a childish prick but he has morals in there somewhere, that come out when you least expect them. Sonny is the slightly grouchy, weary, yet charming veteran, something Pitt excels at on screen. The push-pull dynamic he has with Idris is solid and is the backbone of the entire story. Idris is equally as dynamic as Joshua, giving him just the right amount of cockiness and immaturity without making him obnoxious.
Now to the racing. First of all, this film is a technical marvel. Academy Award winning cinematographer Claudio Miranda, a frequent collaborator of Kosinski, outdoes himself here. Sure Maverick had impressive shots but F1 takes the podium easily. Some shots place you inside the car, as if you were driving instead of Sonny or Joshua. Then there are others that place you in spectator mode, like watching a real race unfold. Which is accurate considering they did film during actual Formula One events. When those red lights begin appearing, you know you're in for something thrilling. Despite the predictable nature of this genre, I held my breath a few times. Throw in a solid Hans Zimmer score that revs up and coasts in the right places and you have a movie that is just that good.
Verdict
F1: The Movie is a crowd-pleasing, adrenaline-pumping, exhilarating good time. The racing sequences are thrilling, Pitt, Idris, and the rest of the cast are compelling, and Zimmer's score flows through it all. On the surface it may seem like this is all about Formula One but it goes deeper than that for a quintessential, well-executed, underdog sports story that will be a hit with audiences whether they are racing fans or not. It is the perfect pick to kick-off Summer blockbuster season and one of those that 100% needs to be experienced in IMAX. F1 easily takes first place, deserving all the confetti, fireworks, and champagne that comes with it.
F1 is in theaters now. It is rated PG-13 for strong language, and action with a runtime of 2 hours 35 minutes.
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