In the 1990s, Sonny Hayes was Formula 1's most promising driver until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, the owner of a struggling Formula 1 team convinces Sonny to return to racing and become the best in the world. Driving alongside the team's hotshot rookie, Sonny soon learns that the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.
(C) Warner Bros./Apple
A rookie trying to prove himself. A washed-up veteran making one last attempt. Clashing personalities. And yes, one of them gets the woman. Screenwriter Ehren Kruger fills the gaps between races with tropes we’ve seen before.
Sure, the film adds a few modern twists to those tropes, but it still ends up exactly where you'd expect. Unsurprisingly, it works. There’s just enough fuel in the tank to raise the stakes between races. Brad Pitt is comfortably in his element, and Damson Idris holds his ground. After all, this is their movie. Kerry Condon’s character, sadly, is sidelined after a promising start.
Now, let’s talk about the races: as Hollywood recreates the world of F1, director Joseph Kosinski makes the most of it. This is, undeniably, the Top Gun of racing. It's a heart-pounding spectacle. The filmmakers know exactly where to place the cameras to give you the best seat in the house. I thought the thrill might wear off by the final lap, but the film keeps the action fresh with clever tricks and almost rule-bending strategies that make every race feel unique and gripping. Hans Zimmer provides the necessary, if not the best, score to drive the energy even higher.
F1 the Movie is the kind of classic American blockbuster we go to the theaters for. Even its themes are timeless. Naturally, it’s a must-see on the biggest screen possible. The spectacle overshadows the predictability of its story, and most importantly for the studio execs, it manages to hook even non-fans into the buzz and heat of modern motorsport. Yes, bring out the champagne. 3.5/5 ⭐
