A “Barbie for Dads” of summer blockbusters — fast, flashy, and filtered through the roar of engines and star power.
First came Top Gun, then Top Gun: Maverick— now F1: The Movie brings a similar high-octane punch to the realm of Formula One, with Brad Pitt in the driver’s seat as the grizzled yet magnetic Sonny Hayes. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, it attempts to capture the thrill of the sport and the spirit of a comeback story, forged with Hollywood flair.
🏁 Racing with Heart – and Highs
From Silverstone to Monza, the film is saturated with real-world F1 circuits and pulsating sequences captured entirely with practical stunts—often featuring Pitt himself behind the wheel. Crafted with an array of cockpit-mounted cameras and innovative motion rigs, the film plunges viewers into blistering 180–200 mph action, delivering the kind of visceral rush that cinematic racing dreams are made of pitchfork.com+15reuters.com+15thedailybeast.com+15.
Designed for IMAX, the visuals are sumptuous, the engine roar omnipresent, and the editing crisp—leaving nothing to digital trickery. As Entertainment Weekly praises: “some of the most exhilarating and visually stunning high-speed racing sequences ever captured on film” ew.com.
★ Mavericks on Wheels
Critics and insiders alike have raised the Top Gun parallel — though this time, instead of an air force pilot, it’s a veteran racing rebel. Pitt’s Sonny is the grizzled icon returning to mentor a younger rival, played by Damson Idris, echoing Maverick’s dynamic pitchfork.com+12thedailybeast.com+12nypost.com+12.
Hans Zimmer’s score and Claudio Miranda’s photography further bolster the epic blockbuster feel, even if some reviewers feel the emotional weight sometimes stalls under cliché reuters.com+15thedailybeast.com+15apnews.com+15.
💬 Critique Pit Stops
Despite its technical triumphs, F1 is not without critique. The screenplay leans heavily on familiar tropes — a washed-up star, the hotshot rookie, the love interest who doubles as technical guru — leading some critics to call it lightweight or corny cinemablend.com+13thetimes.co.uk+13indianexpress.com+13.
As Financial Times notes, “dramatic stakes” occasionally fall flat, even while the adrenaline remains firmly tuned ft.com.
🗣️ Fans and Fandom
Early audience buzz has been overwhelmingly positive. Social media reactions paint F1 as a summer thrill ride that pulls viewers into the cockpit — even for those unfamiliar with racingen.wikipedia.org+15comicbookmovie.com+15reuters.com+15.
“F1TheMovie is absolutely epic and a must-watch blockbuster… even if you are not interested in F1,” fans wrote koimoi.com+1itc.ua+1.
Still, some dedicated F1 fans jokingly caution that the film leans heavily on spectacle — “like an expensive ad” — rather than racing nuance .
🔧 Verdict: A Fast Feast for the Eyes
F1: The Movie wears its Hollywood ambitions proudly: roaring engine noise, panoramic race tracks, Brad Pitt’s charm, and epic production values powered by a rumored $200–300 million budget .
If you’re seeking a spectacle-laden thrill ride — think Barbie with testosterone — this is your summer ticket. Expect less narrative depth, more pulse-pounding speed. It might not top the sports-film leaderboard, but it delivers entertainingly where it counts most: behind the wheel.
In cinemas June 25–27. Strap in — it’s going to be one wild ride.
