2025 Summer Movie Season - F1: Review and Analysis

 

Combat on Wheels!!!! Formula 1 Film Is Adrenaline-Filled Example of Grit and Authenticity!!!!

  Review By BJ Porter

Old man's still got it

The Story

Endurance, grit, precision, timing, and stamina. This is the DNA of every man or woman who gets behind the wheel of one of the roaring beasts on wheels within Formula 1. Few people have thrived within the sport more than the legendary maverick Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt). Once seen as one of the most dominant drivers the sport has ever witnessed, circumstances forced him to hang up the helmet. Having been out of the game for many decades, Hayes gets a call and a shot at redemption. When an old friend offers him an opportunity to get back behind the wheel, Hayes reluctantly joins a struggling F1 team whose back is against the wall as they aim to get to championship status. Unfortunately, his team has a pretty crowded field thanks to the arrival of hotshot rookie and fellow driver Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), who won’t give up his shot at glory to a relic of the past without a fight. Between clashing egos, high stakes, and the risk of losing more than just a race, Hayes and Pearce must put aside their differences and speed their team to championship glory. 

Sonny prepares for the race ahead

The Review

Fast-paced tension and bone-chilling ferocity await in what is being billed as the Summer’s most adrenaline-filled thrill ride. Top Gun: Maverick Director Joseph Kosinski brings his authentic, deep-in-the-trenches style to a cinematic experience that takes audiences into the world of one of the fastest-growing sports on the planet. After getting behind the wheel and feeling the full force of this speed demon of a flick, F1 showcases what the cinematic lens can do when it comes to full-on immersion. Authentically capturing the true nature of any sport on camera is a tall task from the jump. So much goes on in the trenches that many don't see. It takes an understanding of the sport, respect for the people who are a part of it, and a keen eye for the minutiae to put the best depiction out front. Thankfully, Kosinski has all of that working in his favor throughout this film's duration. Much like his work on Top Gun Maverick, he makes it his mission to create not just a film, but an experience that captures the moment-to-moment danger and tension of the athletes who put their lives on the line on the asphalt and the crews dedicated to making sure they're kept safe. When talking about the film and its authenticity to what actually happens in the sport, the drivers are at the heart of it all. That is a perfect transition to our leading men, starting with Brad Pitt. Never one to not exude charisma and swagger, Pitt's Hayes is the stereotypical maverick who doesn't play by the rules but always finds a way to win you over with his wit, grit, and irresistible charm. You would think this archetype would be tired, but Pitt adds layers to this character that make you root for him and just appreciate the love he has for the art of racing. Pitt continues to prove why he is still one of the top dogs in the industry. His teammate is also equally enjoyable with his performance. Damson Idris' Joshua Pearce comes in as the arrogant, wet-behind-the-ears hotshot who is distracted by all the glitz, glamour, and glory. The old school new school dynamic he shares with Pitt's Hayes allows for the 2 of them to have this fun dynamic that has them butting heads in the beginning, but grows into a friendship where they bring the best out of each other. The arc that Pearce goes on is one of understanding that the team is the real difference between champions and those just coasting along. Idris does a great job of showing Pearce becoming a well-rounded character by film's end, thus making him a character worth cheering for. The other cast members of Kerry Condon and Javier Bardem, are also great. Condon presents herself as the underdog of the film with something to prove, and really holds her own as she stands toe to toe with her co-stars. Bardem delivers as Reuben, making him a character who knows his back is against the wall but is never willing to compromise the safety of the ones he cares about, specifically Sonny. It makes him less of a corporate face and more of an underdog you want to see succeed, much like the rest of the crew. Performances aside, while the movie can be looked at as a lengthy advertisement for the F1 brand, there is some genuine effort to add life to the story being told. 

So, who's picking up the tab?

The film itself is pretty basic and by the numbers on the surface from a narrative standpoint. For some, that is a sin because it can be seen as just putting dialogue scenes in as place holders while we wait for the next driving sequence. However, the character work done by the ensemble adds some life to the world, helping you get invested in the team and the journey they go on. Idris and Pitt do a good amount of the heavy lifting, put the background players also have moments that will have you pumping your fists at their victories just as hard as the drivers. Bottom line, the characters on screen do enough to keep things from getting stale in between the races. But make no mistake, if you're here for the on-track action, F1 is an absolute treat. Every racing sequence is a deliciously delectable buffet of visual and auditory sensory stimulation. The roar of the engines, the radio chatter, the tire screeching, the bumps, the crashes, and the claustrophobic tension of being in the cockpit of this 4 wheeled beast is a beautiful marriage of drama and high stakes. This, combined with the in-your-face cinematography and alluring sounds of composer Hans Zimmer's bone-rattling score, makes every racing scene a ride you never want to end. You truly feel the weight of every turn and every moment that leads to victory or defeat. This is about as close as you can get to F1 action, and Kosinski and company did a great job of capturing the authentic feel of the sport. It shouldn't be a surprise that the film hangs its hat on authenticity. Kosinski always makes an effort to make everything feel as real as possible. That type of commitment to capturing the true essence of Formula 1 sets a new standard for anyone looking to follow up with another story set in the world of this sport. Directors who have this type of passion for this level of storytelling do wonders not just for the art of filmmaking but for the art of the sport they are displaying on screen. All in all, F1 is a fast-paced ride with a simplistic approach to its story but an above-and-beyond approach to capturing the realness of the logistics behind this particular brand of racing. It's leading men and the talented ensemble add life to the characters, and in turn, make every moment on the track feel like a desperate race to keep hope alive one mile at a time. Many try to capture the feeling of being behind the wheel, but films like this do so much more when it comes to truly putting you in the driver's seat. 

Final Score Rating

A full-on white knuckle feel good movie that authentically captures the tension, stakes,
thrills, chills, and triumphs of one of the world's most exhilarating forms of racing

Truly a duo worth rooting for.