Home Movie Reviews ‘F1’ – Review
‘F1’ – Review

‘F1’ – Review

0

After much anticipation, blockbuster season has arrived, and first off the starting line is Warner Brother Studios motorsport epic F1, an all-out action-packed, adrenalin-charging extravaganza of speed, force and power that places audiences right in the midst of the grid as director Joseph Kosinski and Academy Award-winner and Hollywood megastar Brad Pitt go for it with every ounce of their being as they deliver the BLOCKBUSTER watch of the year! And F1 just ROCKS!

Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a Formula One driver who raced in the 1990s, has a horrible crash, forcing him to retire from Formula One and start racing in other disciplines. A Formula One team owner and friend, Ruben (Javier Bardem), contacts Hayes and asks him to come out of retirement to mentor rookie prodigy Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) for the Apex Grand Prix team (APXGP).

Filmmaker Joseph Kosinski has demonstrated his talent for blending narrative and spectacle into explosive blockbuster filmmaking. Following the incredible success of Top Gun: Maverick, he is now turning his attention to the pinnacle of motorsport excellence, inviting audiences to experience the excitement of Formula One. This cinematic journey is best enjoyed on the largest screen possible, as it delivers a jaw-dropping, epic experience!

In partnership with Formula One and with the support of renowned producer Jerry Bruckheimer, eight-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, and the Mercedes Petronas F1 Team, Kosinski has gained exclusive access to the world of Formula One. He tells an inspiring underdog story about a new team striving for greatness. From the opening scene, F1 accelerates forward, maintaining a dramatic intensity and adrenaline-fueled excitement that never lets up.

With unfiltered access to the inner workings of Formula One, director Joseph Kosinski creates exhilarating racing scenes that immerse audiences in iconic racing venues. The adrenaline rush never stops. Utilizing an innovative camera system specifically developed for the film, Kosinski places viewers right in the heart of the action as Brad Pitt and Damson Idris buckle in and accelerate. The entire experience is thrilling.

F1 starts with the intensity of a rocket and continues to build, delivering an intense sports drama filled with underdog courage and determination that leads to a heart-pounding and unexpected finish. While audiences may come in expecting one type of story, Kosinski’s attention to detail and skilful handling of the film’s dramatic elements provide a more nuanced and character-driven narrative than typically found in a blockbuster of this size and scale. Viewers will be both surprised and delighted by the experience.

Stepping out onto the grid and into a race car is Academy Award-winner and Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a one-time racing prodigy who crashed and burned in the early 1990s and who has been living a rough and tumble life ever since. Sonny is not a has-been; he’s a never-was. A fast-charging young buck who was poised for greatness right out of the gate but who, after a terrible accident, was forced to abandon his dreams of Formula One superstardom and instead has fallen by the wayside to addictions and bad choices. But through all of it, the call of the track has kept him in line, and now he makes a living as a journeyman driver who will turn up for a race and a check, and now he gets one final shot for greatness behind the wheel. For Pitt, Hayes offers him the chance to bring out his natural-born Americana Cowboy charisma, and he’s effortlessly cool as this hard-charging man of action.

Brash, competitive, and driven by an intense desire to win, Hayes is the perfect character for Pitt to portray. He exudes an effortless coolness on the track. Initially introduced as a racing drifter who lives solely for the sport, the layers of Hayes’ character are gradually revealed throughout the film, showcasing a thoroughly complex and haunted individual. Pitt brings a raw honesty to Hayes, aware that this is his last chance to prove himself as a talented driver, which keeps the story engaging.

With his natural charisma and competitive edge, Hayes stands out as the coolest guy on the track. However, viewers will encounter several surprises along the way, particularly in how Pitt approaches his role on the APXGP team as Hayes. This film marks the first time we’ve seen Pitt assume a ‘mentor’ role, adding another deeper layer of interest to the character.

Paired with Pitt’s Hayes on the track is Damson Idris as Joshua Pearce, a talented young driver eager to make his mark in the racing world with APXGP. Like Pitt, Idris showcases his acting skills, making him a talent to watch. While some may view his character as merely a clone of Lewis Hamilton, this interpretation fails to capture the complexity Idris brings to the role. He portrays Pearce as a nuanced and compelling figure who presents a confident front but battles his own insecurities and demons as he navigates the cutthroat nature of the racing industry. This depth keeps the audience engaged as Pearce embarks on a transformative journey both as a driver and as an individual. His ego is challenged, and he ultimately learns the importance of trusting his team and believing in something greater than himself.

Giving F1 a hearty dose of fire is Academy Award-nominated actress Kerry Condon as Kate McKenna, APXGP’s technical director, who is responsible for giving the team an edge and represents the often-overlooked technical talent that powers the drivers on the grid. As a key figure in the team, she embodies the often-overlooked technical talent that supports the drivers on the grid. Kate is focused, sharp, clever, and savvy, determined to find an advantage that could propel the team from last place to first. Condon is entirely convincing in this role, showcasing exceptional skills in aerodynamics while also having the ability to see the bigger picture and communicate effectively with ego-driven drivers, serving as the voice of reason throughout the film. Additionally, she brings a touch of romance to the story, and the chemistry between Kate and Sonny certainly heats up and sizzles on screen.

Finally bringing everything together is Academy Award winner Javier Bardem as APXGP owner and former racer Ruben Cervantes, who presents Sonny with one last shot at greatness and turns in a scene-stealing performance. Bardem is incredibly smooth and charismatic with the natural charisma that he brings to the picture. Whenever he’s on screen, Bardem instantly grabs your attention, and as Ruben, he’s easily the best character in the whole picture. He’s the man with the plan, the vision behind APXGP, and the man who believes when no one else does, and putting his trust in Sonny, Joshua, and his team makes his play for greatness alongside all of them. Both Bardem and Pitt share an effortless chemistry together, and their on-screen bromance leads to plenty of fun moments that just add to the joy of F1.

Technically, F1 is a cinematic marvel, showcasing the impressive work of Kosinski, Bruckheimer, and their creative team, who really push the film to its limits. With specially designed cameras created by both Apple and Sony CineAlta, fitted to a modified car built in collaboration with the Mercedes-AMG F1 team and Carlin Motorsport, audiences truly feel the thrill of Formula 1 racing, getting up close and personal with the action.

The excitement on the track is palpable as Pitt and Idris tackle some of Formula One’s greatest circuits, including Silverstone, Hungaroring, and Monza. The result is a fast-paced adrenaline rush that keeps the momentum going, featuring key sequences such as the film’s opening at Daytona and the climactic race at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The entire experience is wildly exhilarating, making it a must-see blockbuster for anyone seeking excitement.”

But F1 is more than just racing, and the film’s dramatic narrative is layered with complex character moments and examines themes of ego, legacy, and the power of real teamwork. While the speed hits hard, this examination of the deeper elements of the sports genre makes the F1 experience that much richer, and the film’s dramatic and sometimes shocking moments hit that much harder. Kosinski has really delivered a full picture with F1, and it delivers on the cinematic experience.

F1 takes off like a rocket and doesn’t let up for a moment. It’s fun, exciting, awesome and just a straight-up cool watch for those who love the cinema and the big screen, and it delivers the blockbuster movie experience at full speed!

Image: Warner Brothers Pictures