[Review] F1

The F1 film, produced by the same team behind Top Gun: Maverick, inevitably draws comparisons to its predecessor. And indeed, in terms of sound and cinematography, it is undoubtedly top-tier. The film's approach to capturing F1 racing scenes is similar to how Top Gun: Maverick handled aerial combat. It skillfully utilizes every available space on the cars to mount cameras, filming the races from multiple angles. From static shots to full-speed competition, the movie conveys the realism and excitement of the racing world. The final racing sequence, with its focus on close-ups of the protagonist, also effectively immerses the audience in the character's emotions. The cinematography and art direction here are arguably even more impressive than in the previous film, as racing involves collisions and intense details, demanding meticulous precision in capturing the shots, producing props, and designing the vehicles.

Brad Pitt remains one of Hollywood's most charismatic superstars, effortlessly portraying a seasoned, slightly world-weary race car driver. While less renowned than Pitt, Damson Idris is still very eye-catching, and his performance leaves you anticipating his future work. His character is driven by public perception, a bit impulsive—in short, he embodies youthful exuberance. The character dynamics in this film are quite similar to Top Gun: Maverick: an older, more experienced mentor collaborating with a younger, impulsive protégé. Their journey from conflict to gradual understanding, trust, and synergy seems to be a successful formula for the creative team.

However, unlike its predecessor's clear adversaries, this film lacks a distinct opponent, focusing more on the characters' internal struggles. Unfortunately, the character development fall short, limiting the emotional depth. While the two-and-a-half-hour film offers intense and thrilling racing sequences, with outstanding cinematography and sound effects, the shortcomings in script and character creation leave the overall film feeling somewhat hollow.

Trailer:

Synopsis:

Dubbed “the greatest that never was,” Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) was FORMULA 1’s most promising phenom of the 1990s until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, he’s a nomadic racer-for-hire when he’s approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of a struggling FORMULA 1 team that is on the verge of collapse. Ruben convinces Sonny to come back to FORMULA 1 for one last shot at saving the team and being the best in the world. He’ll drive alongside Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), the team’s hotshot rookie intent on setting his own pace. But as the engines roar, Sonny’s past catches up with him and he finds that in FORMULA 1, your teammate is your fiercest competition — and the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.

Photo and Source: Apple TV+