F1 The Movie
If you feel the need for speed, F1: The Movie will ignite your summer. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (Top Gun) and directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), this high-octane thrill ride echoes its predecessors with breathtaking camera work that plunges you into the cockpit of an F1 car roaring at 150 mph. As a casual F1 viewer, I was captivated by Kosinski’s ability to deliver heart-pounding racing sequences that kept me glued to the screen. Although Apple Films’ first summer blockbuster, backed by a hefty $300 million budget, occasionally feels like a glossy ad for its sponsors, every dollar dazzles on the big screen.
The plot treads familiar turf, blending shades of Bruckheimer’s Days of Thunder with classic veteran-versus-rookie tales. Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a washed-up racer who never hit his stride, chasing one more adrenaline rush. After showcasing his skills at the Daytona 24 Hours, he’s recruited by former colleague Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem) to join his struggling F1 team and mentor their hot-headed rookie, Joshua Pierce (Damson Idris). With the team on the brink of collapse, Hayes and Pierce must overcome their rivalry to win one of the remaining nine races—or watch their dreams crash.
The action that ensues is, dare I say, fast and furious. Each race is a pulse-pounding spectacle, with Kosinski capturing the visceral thrill of F1 as he did with Cruise piloting a Hornet in Maverick. Pitt and Idris sell the illusion of racing, making every lap feel authentic. The script crackles with witty banter, light comedy, and well-placed drama, though it leans on familiar racing film predecessors. Pitt anchors the film with magnetic charisma, carrying a solid ensemble. Diehard F1 fans might nitpick some over-the-top moments, but they’ll spot cameos from stars like Lewis Hamilton (co-producer), Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen. As a novice, I found F1 both thrilling and enlightening—enough to consider catching a real race on TV.
Clocking in at over two and a half hours, the film zips by as swiftly as its cars. For F1 enthusiasts and casual viewers alike, F1: The Movie is a turbo-charged crowd-pleaser, best experienced on the biggest screen possible. Start your engines—this is one summer ride you don’t want to miss.
8/10
Lead image courtesy of Apple Studios
