A Thrill Ride: Brad Pitt's Formula 1 Movie
Weekly Film Highlight from Our Site: 'F1 The Movie' - Analogous to 'Top Gun: Maverick', But Set in Racing Pits
Buckle up and get ready for a high-speed adventure! (Insert obligatory product placement symbol here) That's right, we're talking about F1® The Movie, the latest blockbuster from Apple Originals, produced by Lewis Hamilton, and eager to join the ranks of classic sports films.
Now, don't let the F1® branding fool you. This isn't just an hour-and-a-half-long car commercial. To some extent, it succeeds in its mission to deliver an old-school, high-octane celebration of Formula One, complete with the required dose of product placement. But, does it rise above the ranks of stereotypical sports films to provide a meaningful and captivating watch? Let's find out.
Our story follows the journey of Sonny Hayes, a veteran driver played by Brad Pitt, who is lured out of retirement by former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem, pure charm). The duo team up to save the struggling APXGP team from the clutches of ruthless shareholders. Along for the ride are Joshua Pearce (Damon Idris), a talented newcomer, and Kate McKenna (Kerry Condon), the team's technical director, who turns their lackluster car into a combat machine, yaay! (Note: She also serves as an age-appropriate love interest, which… you know where this is going.)
The team has nine races leading to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to turn their fortunes around and convince the world that Formula One is indeed terrific and not a problematic sport like some might say.
Director Joseph Kosinski, cinematographer Claudio Miranda, and screenwriter Ehren Kruger reunite for this project, following their successful collaboration on Top Gun: Mavrick. To their credit, they manage to choreograph cars as breathtakingly as planes, making the racing scenes immersive and energetic. The use of real circuits, the cooperation of organizers, and tiny IMAX cameras mounted on the cars lend an authenticity to the races, with Easter egg cameos from real Formula One pilots such as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton adding to the realism.
However, the weak link in the equation is Kruger's screenplay. It leans heavily on predictable sports movie tropes, with the bulk of dialogue consisting of macho bravado and lines like, "I'm just as bad as I used to be," or "Do we have the car? We have THE DRIVER!" Throw in some lazy exposition from voice-over commentators, and you’ll find yourself wishing for a muffler instead of an exhaust pipe.
But remember, this is the same Ehren Kruger who brought us the awe-inspiring script for Scream 3, the immortal classics Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Age of Extinction, and the dreadful Ghost in the Shell remake. Surprises, much?
All this griping aside, F1® The Movie is still an enjoyable romp at the cinema. So long as you can look past the clichéd narrative, excessive product placement, and the occasional descent into commercialism, you'll find moments to appreciate. Condon's performance is top-notch, the score by Hans Zimmer is strong, and there's a clever blend of classic rock legends like Queen, Led Zeppelin, RAYE, Tate McRae, and Doja Cat that fits the film nicely. If only the budget had gone towards avoiding cliches and creating a narrative with more depth, the race could have truly been won.
So, it's not perfect—but F1® The Movie delivers enough thrills, excitement, and star power to provide an entertaining evening at the movies. Go ahead and check it out for yourself.
Adding to the diverse array of Apple Originals, 'F1® The Movie' stands as yet another entrant in the realm of entertainment, placing side by side with movies and TV shows. Alongside its emphasis on thrilling Formula One races, this movie explores the world of sports, offering a captivating blend of high-speed action and classic sports drama.
