F1 the Movie review: The summer blockbuster has arrived
I didn’t think F1 would be my thing because I don’t follow the sport at all and I have no interest in it. So I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this is an enjoyable racing movie for both fans and newcomers.
The film stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, whose promising F1 career was cut short due to an accident 30 years ago. After spending the past three decades driving in all kinds of races, his friend Ruben (Javier Bardem) convinces him to drive for his failing Formula One team, Apex, and help mentor young rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris).
F1 is made by the team behind the 2022 smash hit Top Gun: Maverick, including director Joseph Kosinski, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and co-writer Ehren Kruger. And you can really tell. This film is basically the Top Gun: Maverick of racing movies; it is an entertaining all-rounder with outstanding action sequences. It uses advanced technology to film the actors in actual racing cars during genuine Grand Prix competitions. Just like Maverick placed us inside fighter jets, F1 puts us in the driver’s seat and creates an immersive, gripping experience.
While the racing sequences are exciting and propel the story forward, the film lacks substance off the track. I know that the focus is on racing and nobody wants too much talking, but I would have liked to know Joshua more, especially as Idris gives such a charismatic star-making performance. Also, there is a romance storyline between Sonny and Apex’s technical director Kate (Kerry Condon) that was unnecessary. It felt like it undermined her intelligence and position, although I’m glad she had more to do outside of that subplot.
I didn’t know anything about Formula One, but Kruger does a terrific job of explaining the key details organically within the story. I’m sure F1 fans will understand more, but newcomers will be told everything they need to follow the plot. It’s impressive how the filmmaking team were able to integrate themselves into the real Formula One and shoot during Grand Prixes, making Apex feel like a real team competing against Hamilton, Verstappen, etc.
F1 is a crowd-pleasing summer blockbuster with racing scenes so good that they make up for the unrealistic plot developments and one-note characters. Hans Zimmer’s score and the soundtrack are ace too!
In cinemas from Wednesday 25th June