F1 The Movie (2025)

Entertaining sports drama featuring great racing sequences from director Joseph Kosinski, thrilling score by Hans Zimmer and fine performances by Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem. Not a fan of racing in general but this one was pretty solid. **4.0/5**

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://talkingfilms.net/f1-review-a-high-octane-triumph-of-technical-filmmaking/ "F1 is a technical and sensory triumph, a cinematic rollercoaster that throws viewers right into the heart of the action with rare intensity. Despite some narrative stumbles and a familiar structure, Joseph Kosinski's creatively bold and technically dazzling vision, Hans Zimmer's electrifying score, and a fully committed cast turn this blockbuster into one of the most exhilarating, high-energy experiences of the year. Whether you're a diehard fan or just a curious spectator, this movie races straight into the heart of spectacle cinema - with style, tension, and, of course, a whole lot of speed." Rating: A-

With Sir Lewis Hamilton and F1 media veteran Ian Holmes amongst those at the helm of this production, you can be certain that it’s going to be as an authentic story of all things F1 (can’t be bothered finding the trademark symbol) as you’re ever likely to see. It’s all about team “Ruben” (Javier Bardem) whose cars couldn’t beat an egg and so is looking at ending up broke! His remaining driver is British rookie “Joshua” (Damson Idris) but he’s nowhere near experienced enough to make any impact on the problem. For that, he needs to coax back “Sonny” (Brad Pitt) who did drive these cars twenty years ago but hung up his helmet after an accident and then became an itinerant driver eking a living across the USA. Can he be tempted? Well we’d have no film if he wasn’t so the next question is: can he manage to salvage this operation before it’s sold for scrap? True to form with this sport, what now ensues sees all the glitz and glamour of circuits around the world; money no object cars, training and equipment; testosterone galore both in the car and with team tech director “Kate” (Kerry Condon) as well as a whole slew of rule manipulating, crashes, downright cheating and I have to say, some of the best action and in-car photography I’ve seen on a big screen. Indeed, I could cheerfully have lived without the dramatic characterisation here altogether, and just stuck to the tensely directed and really compelling action sequences that, especially using the in-car cameras, is genuinely quite exciting to watch. You really do get a sense of the speed of the cars racing round the tracks and of the phenomenal engineering that goes into the design and manufacture of these cars that at times look no more substantial than an Airfix kit. Pitt is in his element here delivering a character that’s a lovable rogue meets smug git whilst Idris comes across entirely naturally as the youngster out of his depth but willing and determined to learn. The soundtrack from the likes of Queen and Led Zeppelin livens up what I’d have to say isn’t Hans Zimmer’s most memorable score, and with the last half hour largely devoid of the romantic and emotional clutter, we watch something that shows us this circus in full pomp. You don’t need to be remotely interested in this topic to enjoy this film, you only really need a pulse and a great big screen.

A true blockbuster! Although predictable, and a little long, the movie works from start to finish as Brad Pitt brings major star power.

There is no need to say a lot about the movie, it was very very very nice. If you don't care about F1 but just casually like any competition just give it a go. It is really hard for me to watch a longer video without doing something else too but I watched the entire length of this movie without thinking anything about doing something else or eat or touching my phone. Some more thoughts if you already watched the movie and just want to read things others say but you really should not care about: could it have been better? yes, i missed more info about certain events or characters. not much more, but just a little bit more. the ending? perfect. I expected something else then it still delivered. I don't really know how to say this but you can feel proud watching this, the entire way through the movie. There is nothing to really cringe about and I really appreciate this. This alone makes this movie in the top for me. A lot of new and relatively new movies (especially drama, fantasy, super hero things) are cringefest and in parts uncomfortable to watch. This is not. I am happy.

I am so glad I'm F1 illiterate. Even though I know basically nothing about this sport, I can still feel how unrealistic everything is. The opening scene had me going, "Yeah right. Calm down already." But really, it doesn't matter. This has the hallmarks of producer Jerry Bruckheimer, it's dumb and it's fun. It has to be somewhat dumb to be this much fun. Everytime there was a reference made to the '90s, I couldn't help but think that that, too, was Jerry's hayday. Con Air anyone? The Rock? It's everything that we miss from the ideology-laden racist and sexist pedantic sub-AI-level slop that Hollywood churns out these days, and it's kinda ironic that we're getting it from woke Apple. But I'm not complaining. Watching this I had flashbacks to Top Gun Maverick, which was also such a breath of uncomplicated popcorn-throwing fresh air, and lo and behold this is from the same director. Absolutely worth a watch, possibly infuriating if you're not motorsport illiterate.