REVIEW: Buckle Up Because ‘F1: The Movie’ is One Thrilling Ride
Hitting the theaters just in time for the Summer heatwave, F1: The Movie follows former Formula One driver, Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), who returns to the F1 racetrack as a favor to his longtime friend, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem). Tasked with helping Ruben’s team, Apex Grand Prix, out of the slumps, while also mentoring the team’s cocky rookie, Joshua “Noah” Pierce (Damson Idris), Sonny finds that not everyone loves the new dynamic he has brought to the team. Facing push back from not only Joshua, but the Apex Team, Sonny has to prove he is not just an old has been, but someone who very much still has a name in the game.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski, this man knows his way around the camera. Like his shots in Top Gun: Maverick, the audience has a front row seat to what it feels like to be inside a formula one car. Kosinski beautifully captures the strength of these cars and the strength it takes to drive one. The is specifically captured during the final race in the movie. This is the race where Kosinski spends the most time allowing the audience to see from the driver’s point of view. There are brief glimpses of this throughout the other races featured in the movie, but waiting until the final race to make those shots the focus really elevated the stakes of the race. The audience could feel the emotion, and the adrenaline these drivers face every time they get behind the wheel.
Pitt leads this movie with charm and ease. His take on Sonny never has him comes off as show, but rather someone you would want to have a drink with. His easy-going nature makes it easy to be rooting for him over other characters in the story. Idris is a treat alongside Pitt. Idris brilliantly brings to life the show boat that is Joshau Pierce. Joshua’s cocky, yet naïve attitude is the perfect counter to Sonny’s level headed view on life. Whether they are butting heads or working together, these two make quite the pair on screen.
Bardem does well as Sonny’s longtime friend, Ruben, but isn’t in it nearly enough. His and Pitt’s back and forth banter could have, and should have, been played on more throughout the movie. Kerry Condon plays Apex Grand Prix’s technical director, Kate McKenna, and adds a different layer to the story. Of course, what you think happens does indeed happen, but Kosinski and co-writer, Ehren Kruger, never lose focus of why she is there. She is not only a key part to the Apex team, but a key part to the story.
Featuring a slew of F1 drivers, you don’t have to understand formula one to understand this movie. As someone who has never seen a formula one race, I was entertained from start to finish. For those who love formula one, there will most likely be things you don’t agree with. Whether it be choices made by the drivers/teams or unrealistic things that happen during one of the races, just remember, this movie is not real. The writing team has taken liberties to help provide a little more drama to their racing story. And with that said, buckle your seatbelts theater goers because when all five lights go out, you are guaranteed a thrilling ride with F1!
Grade: A