F1: The Movie Delivers High-Octane Racing Action with Brad Pitt in a Thrilling Summer Blockbuster

It’s lights out, and away we go! F1: The Movie brings the world of Formula One racing to the big screen. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, best known for crafting some of the most thrilling aerial sequences in Top Gun: Maverick, F1 sees the director take on a similar project, but this time, on the ground. He straps us into the cockpits of a racecar and fires up our engines, leaving us with a groundbreaking cinematic experience that soars high above its competition and delivers a truly epic summer blockbuster.

Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a racer-for-hire who the movie establishes early on as an impeccably skilled driver. Fast, brash, and confident to a fault, Sonny can pull off the 24 Hours of Daytona, so long as he completes his pregame ritual: a playing card from a shuffled deck stuffed into his pocket. Sonny has a long history with Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), the owner of APXGP, who wants Sonny to come drive for him. The film follows a classic Hero’s Journey structure, from the call to action to refusal of the call, to the eventual crossing of the threshold.

Tried and true? Absolutely. But if this isn’t some of the most fun you can have at the movies, it’s hard to say what is. This is your classic sports movie, especially as Sonny faces off with a teammate named Joshua Pierce (Damson Idris). These two are wonderful foils for each other. Sonny is the older, wiser driver, while Pierce is a younger hotshot with a lot to learn. They clash in ways that bring humor and genuine conflict, as they find themselves in intense races where cooperation is key.

In many ways, F1 feels like Top Gun: Maverick with racecars instead of planes. Kosinski and writer Ehren Kruger reunite for another story about an aging man who’s excellent at what he does but is held back by a tragedy from his past, now working with a team of younger people, including one with whom he clashes. Both movies deliver high-octane action sequences in high-velocity vehicles. Kosinski also reunites with cinematographer Claudio Miranda and composer Hans Zimmer to bring a rip-roaring cinematic spectacle to life.

Pulse-pounding and built for the big screen, F1 gives movie lovers everything they’d want. This film is a must-see in IMAX or 4DX, particularly for the racing sequences where you’ll feel like you’re in the car with these characters. Kosinski directs these set pieces masterfully, keeping everything dynamic in his shot choices. We have driver POV shots, cameras attached to the cars, well-placed inserts, close-ups of Pitt, and tight editing that allows us to feel the adrenaline in ways that real F1 races don’t always capture.

You can feel the roar of the engines in a film bursting with life. The film shines when showing that it’s really Pitt behind the wheel performing stunts. Kosinski keeps us up close and personal through every race, maintaining momentum and letting us practically feel the wind racing by. Like other phenomenal recent racing movies such as Ford v Ferrari, Gran Turismo, and Rush, the set pieces are a true highlight and worth the price of admission alone.

How’s the story? It works. The screenplay does well to put characters at a disadvantage despite Sonny’s skill. They fight to climb up, and you root for them. There are strong character moments when needed, though the script spends a bit too long establishing Sonny’s backstory through other characters watching documentaries and news about him. It takes time before we see how Sonny’s past affects him personally.

The plot is somewhat predictable. There are moments where things go wrong, and you hope the next race goes right, only for setbacks again. This works well, but pacing can drag at times. At over two and a half hours, F1 is slightly overlong, but with Pitt and his charisma at the forefront, it’s hard not to enjoy. From thrilling races to just the right character moments, this film deserves to be experienced on the biggest screen with the biggest audience and the largest tub of popcorn. It’s the perfect summer blockbuster for anyone seeking a fun, old-fashioned movie experience.

SCORE: 8/10

As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are minor issues, the film succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.