‘F1: The Movie’: What the Critics Are Saying

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After the initial screening of the movie “F1” in New York on Monday night, most early critic reviews have been positive.

Joseph Kosinski, the director behind hits like “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Tron: Legacy,” is at the helm of an exhilarating Formula One racing film. This action-packed movie features Brad Pitt and Damson Idris in leading roles. The story revolves around Pitt’s character, Sonny Hayes, a retired F1 driver who returns to the track to guide and partner with a promising younger racer, played by Damson Idris as Joshua Pearce.

By Tuesday afternoon, the movie F1: The Film had received an 84% rating from 58 critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 69% score from 24 reviews on Metacritic.

(This version maintains the original structure while using more common terminology and simplifying the language.)

The movie, produced jointly by Apple Original Films and Warner Bros., will make its way to cinemas on June 27. In addition, it features the talents of Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem, Tobias Menzies, and Kim Bodnia.

For a simpler rephrasing, consider the following: Here are some notable comments from initial reviews of F1: The Movie, after its debut in New York.

According to Lovia Gyarkye’s review in The Hollywood Reporter, the most potent scenes in the movie “F1” are those set during race weekends where Kosinki integrates his fictional team with actual ones. Racing enthusiasts will appreciate the appearances of real drivers such as Verstappen, Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris, and numerous others. The tension is heightened by Hans Zimmer’s pulsating score during nerve-wracking sequences like a driver attempting a risky turn on a slippery track or mechanics hastily changing tires in the pit with just seconds to spare. The technical aspects of these scenes are meticulously crafted, including Kosinki’s examination of advanced technologies, such as road simulators, that aid drivers in gaining an edge. Although there are some implausible elements in “F1” that might make purists raise an eyebrow, the film remains every bit as thrilling as the real sport itself.

Mae Abdulbaki from Screenrant stated that “F1 The Movie” is essentially a lengthy advertisement that manages to tell an interesting story. Various brands can be found scattered throughout the movie, and its title is directly linked to Formula One racing. One might think it’s unoriginal, but I was captivated by every single minute of the film. Directed by Joseph Kosinski (of “Top Gun: Maverick”) and written by Ehren Kruger, “F1 The Movie” keeps viewers engaged and entertained, gradually gaining momentum and setting up character developments. Despite being a movie based on brands, it could have easily been lackluster like many others in its genre. However, Kosinski’s film manages to evoke emotions in the audience.

In his critique for Collider, Ross Bonaime stated, “The thrilling race scenes in F1 are undeniably captivating. However, the narrative follows familiar patterns we’ve seen countless times before. This isn’t necessarily a flaw, but at times, it leans heavily on stereotypes. Even so, like an expert racer, you might be able to predict where the plot is headed, but the way F1 executes these twists and turns is remarkable, earning it a place among the best racing films ever made. Despite some cheesy dialogue or overused tropes, the exhilaration and suspense of the races are so well-done here that they overshadow these minor issues.

Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian stated, “Brad Pitt, sporting a humorous cowboy-like expression under his safety helmet that puffed out his sixtysomething cherubic cheeks towards his nose, takes control in this over-the-top, cheesy yet flamboyantly filmed Formula One drama. The movie also features some enjoyable exaggeration about an older man guiding a hotheaded rookie (a plot similar to Pixar’s 2006 adventure Cars). F1 the Movie offers a polished corporate atmosphere, real-life racing footage with Brad Pitt as the star in an excessively expensive car, the fascination with the technology of the cars themselves (almost making you forget how incredibly ugly they are), brand names scattered everywhere on every surface, detailed simulation graphics, and the strange, mystifying spectacle of motor racing.

In a piece for the BBC, Nicholas Barber expressed concerns about the Netflix series “F1,” stating that it’s not so much the show’s bias towards portraying its main character favorably, but rather its overly enthusiastic endorsement of Formula One racing itself. The program, which was filmed on actual racetracks with the cooperation of organizers and participants (Lewis Hamilton is listed as a producer), comes off as a glossy corporate advertisement, with excessive product placement that makes you more likely to recall brand names than characters. There’s no hint of criticism or skepticism, and nothing suggestive or questionable about Formula One. While Formula One enthusiasts might appreciate the glimpses of their favorite drivers, “F1” is so focused on painting its environment in a positive light that none of these individuals are allowed to play antagonistic roles, or even say anything harsh about Sonny. There’s no misbehavior or negative events happening to any characters, resulting in a lack of tension. The series essentially travels around the world, visiting each Grand Prix in a season. In the first race, Ruben’s team performs poorly, but as the weeks go by… if you were to guess the structure of the story based on this, you’d be correct – except that your version might include more high-stakes drama than the actual series.

As a gaming enthusiast, I found myself utterly captivated by the cinematic experience that is “F1”. David Ehrlich, IndieWire’s chief film critic, perfectly encapsulates the essence of this sport in his review. He highlights how F1 consistently demonstrates the challenge of achieving the perfect blend of power and finesse, a theme that the movie embodies flawlessly.

The movie is a treat for its ability to seamlessly merge cutting-edge spectacle with the timeless charm of an underdog narrative (which serves as a fitting backdrop for Brad Pitt’s character, reminiscent of his role in “Moneyball”). Kosinski’s film can be incredibly thrilling and invigorating at times, but it sometimes stumbles while trying to cater to both newcomers and veterans of the sport.

In doing so, it occasionally misses out on its most straightforward joys. The camaraderie formed among misfits. The journey of the downtrodden towards redemption. The sheer speed at which cars move.

As an ardent Formula 1 enthusiast, I couldn’t help but be thrilled when Sophie Butcher, from Empire, penned, “For those captivated by Formula 1, the precise portrayal of the sport in F1 will leave you spellbound; for those less initiated, the races might seem a tad repetitive, and the level of detail might be too intricate. Regardless of your connection to the sport, the sheer scale of what Kosinski and team have achieved is indisputable. Strap in and experience this spectacle on the largest screen available.

USA Today’s Brian Truitt expressed in his review that the movie doesn’t hesitate to touch upon familiar themes, but it’s the heart-pounding action scenes where F1 truly excels. Kosinski aims to make viewers experience the peril of riding in a vehicle that can reach 200 mph, and the thrill of overtaking an opponent in a Ferrari or having a clear path to the finish line. These exhilarating moments help to overlook the numerous subplots and the predictable car tropes.

Jake Coyle, a film critic for The Associated Press, stated that the movie “F1” tends to follow a predictable path towards its conclusion, borrowing elements from sports dramas along the way. Tobias Menzies portrays a board member with ambiguous corporate objectives in the film. When “F1” momentarily calms down for a brief period, it almost seems as if it takes flight. This brief moment is not sufficient to erase all the intense male-oriented drama that came before, but it does give a hint at an alternative path that “F1” could have taken.

In his review for Rolling Stone, David Fear praised Brad Pitt’s performance in “F1,” stating that Pitt’s ability to infuse the film with his charisma, physicality, and unique blend of discipline and nonchalance made it stand out. He also noted that Pitt’s portrayal evoked memories of classic Hollywood stars such as Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, Burt Lancaster, William Holden, and Steve McQueen, who were known for their roles in racing films. The film feels both contemporary, focusing on a sport that is currently popular, and nostalgic, reminiscent of an earlier era when a larger-than-life movie star was the main attraction. In essence, the film represents how blockbusters used to be made, with Pitt serving as the primary draw. While the cars in the film are undeniably impressive, the real reason to watch is Pitt’s performance.

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2025-06-18 03:25