Beebom Score
It all started back in 1950, when speed became more than just an adrenaline rush; it became a lifestyle. Formula 1 roared onto the scene and hasn’t hit the brakes since. Over the decades, what began as a daredevil motorsport evolved into one of the most technically demanding, globally followed spectacles on Earth. And when something this iconic grips the planet, Hollywood’s bound to throw it onto the big screen sooner or later. Enter F1: The Movie, starring none other than Brad Pitt.
When I first heard about it, I’ll admit, my hopes were not too high. Because let’s face it, movies about real-life sports, especially one as intricate and high-stakes as F1, have a nasty habit of veering off track. But to my surprise, this film doesn’t crash and burn; in fact, it punches the throttle at full tilt. So, buckle up, strap in, and get those hard tyres ready, because this review for F1: The Movie is about to be one heck of a ride.
F1 The Movie Is a Cinematic Masterclass Like Never Seen Before
As most of you already know, F1: The Movie is directed by none other than Joseph Kosinski, the same guy who gave us Top Gun: Maverick. Now, back when this project was announced, they said something along the lines of, “It’s going to be like Top Gun: Maverick… but for Formula 1.” However, when people throw around comparisons like that, it usually sets you up for disappointment. But then… I sat down in the theater, and OH MY GOD. I choked on my drink because this wasn’t just marketing talk. They meant it.
Visually, F1: The Movie is an absolute beast. It’s one of the most immersive cinematic experiences I’ve ever had. You know that rush you get when you put on a VR headset and boot up an F1 sim? That full-body sensation of speed, the deafening roar of the engine, the blur of the world around you? Yeah, this movie nails that. But it’s not just about spectacle, it’s about perspective. The camera doesn’t just watch the race; it becomes the car. You’re not observing the track from a distance, you’re feeling every vibration in the chassis, every tire graze, every brake lock-up like your body’s in the driver’s seat.
When JP (Damson Idris) and Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) hit the track, it doesn’t feel like actors pretending to drive. It feels real. The way the cameras move, close, shaky, almost invasive, makes you feel like you’re strapped into the cockpit, one bad move away from death. And when the crashes happen (and trust me, they do), you don’t just see metal fly, you feel it. The impact. The chaos. The silence that follows.
And here’s where Kosinski’s mastery shines. It’s not just big-budget, testosterone-pumped racing action. There’s a rhythm to it. Every turn is choreographed like a ballet, every engine rev has timing, every aerial shot is a reminder of the sheer scale and madness of this sport. It’s adrenaline-fueled, yes, but also elegant in the way it captures motion and emotion at the same time.
This isn’t just a film about racing, it’s a film about obsession, perfection, and the raw instinct to survive at 300 kilometers an hour. And Kosinski, being the visual craftsman he is, turns that into an experience that goes beyond entertainment. It transports you. So yeah, F1: The Movie didn’t just capture the essence of Formula 1, it injected it straight into your bloodstream. This is adrenaline, bottled and broadcast in IMAX.
The Sound Engineering Team Deserves a Massive Raise
Now, while F1: The Movie nails its visual storytelling, I’d be doing it a disservice if I didn’t talk about its sound design, because let me tell you, the audio work in this film? Next level. This movie features some of the best sound engineering I’ve experienced in a racing-themed film, hands down. And no, I’m not just talking about a killer playlist or background score. I’m talking about the raw, layered, full-body sound experience that pulls you even deeper into the world of Formula 1.
You see, while the cinematography grabs you by the collar and throws you into the driver’s seat, it’s the sound design that cements the illusion. Every gear shift, every tire screech, every engine growl feels so crisp and real that it almost fools your brain into thinking you’re wearing a racing helmet. The audio is so immersive, you’ll swear you’re watching this in 4DX, even if you’re sitting in a regular old theater seat.
But here’s where it gets clever: the movie doesn’t just use sound as a tool for intensity. It also knows when to take it away. That’s right, silence. In a sport where the roar of engines and the buzz of the crowd are practically part of the DNA, F1: The Movie pulls off something incredibly rare, and my other reviews are proof of it. The movie embraces silence and uses it to say more than noise ever could.
There are moments during a crash or when a driver is “in the zone,” so locked in that the world just disappears, and the movie lets that silence breathe. You can feel the air shift. The panic set in. The heartbeat of the moment. It’s unsettling, powerful, and incredibly intimate. That pause from the chaos? That stillness? It speaks volumes. And it’s that use of contrast, between the high-octane madness and the haunting quiet, that makes the whole thing so masterfully done.
In a film where the default setting is sensory overload, choosing to strip that all away and focus on the stillness of a human moment inside the storm? That’s bold. That’s art. And F1: The Movie pulls it off like Max Verstappen in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix 2024, smooth, precise, and unforgettable.
Even Though Unpredictable, The Plot Had Some Downsides
Now, don’t call me a hater, I genuinely had a blast watching and writing this review for F1: The Movie, but there are a few things in there that didn’t quite click for me. And just to be clear, these aren’t dealbreakers. They don’t derail the film in any major way, and honestly, most people probably won’t even care. But from a storytelling standpoint, these bits felt like they were just… extra. The kind of stuff that you could snip out, and the film would still race past the finish line without a hiccup.
Let’s start with Sonny Hayes’ backstory. Brad Pitt plays the character with charisma, no doubt, but the arc itself? We’ve seen it before, the classic “once-a-rising-star-who-crashed-and-burned” setup. Sonny was on the brink of becoming a world champion before a devastating crash took him out of the spotlight. And yeah, it’s emotionally resonant, but it’s also a bit too familiar. In a film that’s breaking new ground with its visuals and sound design, giving the lead a story straight out of the sports-drama playbook feels like a missed opportunity to do something fresh.
Then there’s the romantic subplot between Sonny and Kate (Kerry Condon). Look, I get it, a bit of romance never hurt anybody. But here? It felt like a side dish that didn’t quite match the main course. The chemistry is there, sure, but it didn’t push the plot forward or add much to the emotional weight of the story. It was sweet, but unnecessary. Like an extra lap around the track when the checkered flag’s already waving.
But before you start thinking I’m about to throw shade at the entire movie, slow down. F1: The Movie is far from lacking in the story department. Here’s the thing: when you’ve been doing what I do for a while, you start to see patterns. You can usually tell what’s coming ten minutes before it hits. But this movie? This movie surprised me. Sure, you know the hero’s going to get his moment, that’s just the natural genre flow, but the how of it is where the film keeps you guessing.
The way the races unfold, the way tension spikes and crashes in waves, it’s unpredictable in all the right ways. Every overtake, every pit strategy, every screw-up and success feels real and earned. It doesn’t spoon-feed you moments. It throws them at you, full throttle, and you better be ready. So yeah, while the narrative might have a couple of familiar beats and slightly indulgent subplots, the ride itself? Smooth, thrilling, and damn near flawless. This is one of those rare movies where you’ll forgive a few clichés because everything else is firing on all cylinders.
So, Is The F1 Movie Worth a Watch?
Seriously? Are you still wondering if you should watch F1: The Movie in theaters or not? Look, if you’re not a Formula 1 fan and think you won’t be able to follow what’s going on, trust me, you’re wrong. This movie makes sure everything clicks, whether you’re deep into F1 or just stepping into the paddock for the first time. So if you’re skeptical, don’t be. Grab your tickets and go experience it.
Now that I’ve addressed the non-F1 crowd, let me talk to the fans for a second. If you’re worried that the movie will be too unrealistic or too Hollywood to do the sport justice, again, you’re wrong. Sure, it takes a few cinematic liberties, but when it comes to the actual racing, you’ll feel like you’re watching a real Grand Prix unfold. The adrenaline, the stakes, the roar of the engines, it’s all there. So yeah, I highly recommend you watch F1: The Movie in theaters because a cinematic experience like this doesn’t come around often. Oh, and Max Verstappen appears 15 times.
