Acclaimed director Joseph Kosinski returns to the summer blockbuster scene with the highly anticipated film F1, produced by Warner Bros. and Apple Original Films. Pictures. Ehren Kruger wrote the screenplay based on a story he developed with Kosinski, drawing inspiration from the Formula One World Championship in collaboration with the FIA, its governing body.
Once hailed as the future of Formula 1, Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) burned bright and fast—until one devastating crash turned his rise into a cautionary tale. Now, decades later, the once-great racer is a ghost in the paddock, drifting from team to team with little to show but a battered legacy.
That changes when Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), a former teammate turned desperate team owner of APXGP, offers him a second chance at the sport and redemption. With a struggling F1 team on the brink and a brash young prodigy, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), burning rubber in the next pit over, Sonny is thrust back into the unforgiving world that nearly broke him. Along the way, Sonny hopes to charm Kate McKenna (Kerry Condon), APXGP technical director, who isn’t impressed by Sonny’s smugness but sees his talent .But speed isn’t the only thing he has to master. In a sport where trust is scarce, and competition lives in your garage, Sonny must face down his past and prove that greatness isn’t just about how fast you drive but how hard you fight to return.
While I’m married to a car fanatic and spent some of my youth in Alabama, whether Nascar or Demolition Derby’s, I was never into automobiles. However, I have always loved seeing cars in classic films such as “Days Of Thunder .”I was anxious to see what Joseph Kosinski would do as I put the director behind Christopher Nolan and James Cameron when delivering a film experience in IMAX.
From the start of Sonny’s introduction, “F1” puts moviegoers in the passenger seat and doesn’t let up. At its core, it’s a high-octane crowd-pleaser that knows precisely what it’s doing and doesn’t try to overcomplicate the formula. Instead, it leans into everything that makes these kinds of films irresistible: sharp one-liners, goosebumps-inducing redemption arcs, and moments so electric they practically demand applause.
Brad Pitt steers the ship with his signature charisma, but the entire ensemble brings their A-game, giving each character room to shine. Damson Idris brings next-generation swag to his role, and hopefully, he’s a lead scene. At the same time, Kerry Condon commands the screen as an educated alpha without losing a sense of her femineity.
Cinephiles will also appreciate Claudio Miranda’s cinematography and Hans Zimmer’s fabulous score. Finally, the film’s pacing is tight, the emotions hit when needed, and the racing sequences are phenomenal. Intense and precise, they are best experienced on the biggest screen possible. Trust me, watching “F1” in IMAX isn’t just a movie; it’s an exhilarating ride. Easily
“F1” is undeniably one of the best films of the summer, and it’s an absolute must-see at your local cinema.
Final Grade : A
“F1” opens in theaters on Thursday, July 26th
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