F1: THE MOVIE
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
QUENTIN
Just so you know, I saw F1 on the world's largest IMAX screen, and I have no doubt that bumped my rating by at least a half reel. Watching the incredibly done racing sequences on a 127-foot by 69-foot screen with 12-channel digital surround sound created a fantastically immersive experience. However, outside of that and Brad Pitt's natural charisma, everything else left me wanting. Simply put, the story is generic, and it doesn’t do enough to make one invested between the in-car action. It’s certainly a lot of fun on the big screen, but I don’t think that will translate to the small one.
AMARÚ
F1 writers Ehren Kruger and Joseph Kosinski (who also directed) knew the film didn’t need to do anything special with its story because sticking to the sports movie magic formula generates blockbuster entertainment all on its own. So, they tapped cinematographer Claudio Miranda’s spectacular in-car camera work to create genuine thrills during its recognizable, yet still heart-pounding races, Brad Pitt and Damson Idris’ respectively established and up-and-coming star-power to connect you to somewhat thin characters, and Kerry Condon and Javier Bardem as the lovable cherries on top. F1 doesn’t break any molds; but really, did it ever have to?
ADRIANO
F1 will give you the highs you expect out of blockbuster sports dramas. Director Joseph Kosinski does an incredible job of making the racing sequences feel vibrant and pulse-pounding. There's an inherently easy-to-root-for plot, which for most people, is exactly what you’d want. The story is conventional, which isn't instantly bad, but because the entertaining characters are forgettable, the entire experience feels a lot like a sugar high: in the moment, a ton of fun, but once that moment is over, it's just over. It feels fleeting, but that doesn't erase the successful thrills F1 produced.
BODE
It’s no surprise that director Joseph Kosinski would continue to follow in Tony Scott’s footsteps after Top Gun: Maverick, as in re-teaming with much of Maverick’s creative team, he crafts his own Days of Thunder with F1. This time though, the heights are inconsistent. The racing sequences are truly exhilarating, and its cast is certainly likeable (put Kerry Condon in everything, please). But there isn’t enough shading to its narrative foundation or characterization, making it hard to fully invest in the drama - especially at nearly three hours. It’s fine enough as a piece of escapism, but it could’ve been more.
