F1® The Movie

F1® The Movie is exactly the kind of big-screen spectacle that reminds us all why we all fell in love with going to the cinemas in the first place. Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) and co-written with Ehren Kruger (Transformers: Dark of the Moon), this high-octane sports drama dives deep into the world of Formula One Racing. Brad Pitt leads the pack as Sonny Hayes, a former F1 prodigy dubbed “the greatest that never was”. After a near career-ending crash in the ‘90s, Sonny has spent decades bouncing around the globe as a nomadic racer-for-hire, still chasing that lifelong goal of becoming an F1 champion. He finally gets a shot at this dream when his old teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), now the desperate owner of a crumbling F1 team on its last leg, calls him back for one last ride. The mission? Reclaim lost glory and guide JP (Damson Idris), a rookie with raw talent and a serious chip on his shoulder, to victory. What follows is a redemption arc roaring at 200 mph, where the only thing moving faster than the cars is the pressure mounting on and off the track. And let me tell you, F1® The Movie absolutely rips. When a film has the embodiment of cool in Brad Pitt as your lead, an inherently thrilling setting in Formula One, and a director proven to craft high-octane joyrides in Joseph Kosinski, there is simply no way for it to be dull. 

From the very first sequence at Daytona, the crew behind F1® The Movie lets you know exactly what kind of movie you’re in for. The rev of the engines pulsates through the theater’s speakers, the zigs and zags of the cars lead to angles that place us in the driver’s seat, and the audiovisual style thus reinvents what a racing film can and should feel like. Truly, this film is a technical beast whose magnificence is made possible thanks to the behind-the-scenes pit crew’s clear labor of love. From the roaring sound design to the whip-fast editing, this film is nonstop in the best way possible. The kinetic energy pulsing through every racing scene just heightens the tension, which would not be possible without Claudio Miranda’s breathtaking cinematography. With his stunning, immersive visuals, you’re no longer merely watching these races. You’re a part of them. Rounding out this stacked pit crew is legendary composer Hans bringing a charged, time-centric score that adds to the film's momentum and costume designer Julian Day serving up chic looks for every character. JP’s wardrobe in particular oozes Met Gala, demonstrating the character’s effortless, young swagger.

Speaking of swagger, the cast absolutely delivers on all cylinders. Pitt and Idris ooze charisma from opposite ends of the racing spectrum. Pitt’s Hayes is a grizzled vet who has been through the ringer, while Idris’ JP is a cocky upstart eager to show his worth inside the F1 scene. Yet each has their own unique magnetism that makes them endlessly watchable. Their chemistry gives the film an added jolt, and while their dynamic occasionally mirrors Maverick and Rooster a little too closely, there are just enough distinct nuances that keep it fresh.

However, the other actors are a bit underutilized despite nailing their roles. Kerry Condon gets some standout moments as Kate McKenna, F1’s first female technical director and Team APEX’s secret weapon. She has some fun line deliveries and gives us a unique behind-the-scenes look at what makes these cars run. But unfortunately, she’s also given a romance subplot that feels deeply unnecessary. Condon and Pitt have chemistry, but the relationship undercuts Kate’s intriguing arc about her lack of recognition for her contributions to the team. Similarly, Bardem’s Cervantes starts off interesting, with Bardem bringing his usual wildcard energy to this role. Alas, his arc of having money issues with the higher-ups gets old fast. The film also hints at deeper tension with Hayes but wraps up this subplot too quickly for it to be meaningful. I would've gladly traded some of Cervantes’s screen-time to dive deeper into the budding rivalry between Hayes and JP instead. They start off as opposites that never see eye to eye before bonding after a specific event and understanding where the other comes from. This is fine narratively, but we needed extra time to see their connection grow rather than watch them constantly repeat their grievances with one another.

Truly, the main fault with F1® The Movie is its story. Occasionally, it can feel like it is trying to check off as many sports drama clichés as possible, from the underdog comeback story to the mentor-mentee tension to the ghosts of the past trope to the obligatory undercooked romance. The secondary characters are also painfully underwritten, to the point where you often forget their names. And lastly, the film relies too much on needle drops from its accompanying pop album with painfully banal lyrics. 

But at the end of the day, my qualms with F1® The Movie do not outweigh the sheer spectacle of this pulse-pounding blockbuster. F1® The Movie delivers racing spectacle, immersive sound, a unique style, and just enough heart to keep you locked in. It puts the physicality, mental sharpness, and sheer precision these Formula One drivers need to survive even a single lap on full display and is destined to be your dad’s latest obsession. As for me, I cannot wait to hop back in the driver’s seat and take F1® The Movie for another spin.

9/10