Revving up their camera’s and sound systems, F1: The Movie hits theaters this weekend and it’s a blast. That is if you like race car films or just like to get your ears popped several times. If you do then rush to see the film. It’s a Jerry Bruckheimer produced motion picture and you can expect a lot of action and you’ll get it with F1. That said, there have been a lot of good race car films in the past that racing fans can rightly say are great and they would not be wrong with saying that F1 gets explosive.
Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), corporate owner of APXGP racing team, needs a driver that can carry his team into the championship of Formula One racing or lose his business. It’s not easy in this dog eat dog business as all the top drivers have already committed to the big concerns like Ferrari and Porsche. Currently rookie driver Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), an up and coming driver, has been carrying the team. Deciding to take a risky chance Cervantes looks up Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) a former driver partner that quit Formula One after a violent accident. Thus begins a battle of wits, jealousy, and punishing determination.
Director Joseph Kosinski who brought in winners like Top Gun Maverick and Only the Brave, puts his actors through their paces and turns out an exciting and captivating film. Taking his audience around the world to race tracks in places like Abu Dhabi, Budapest, Italy, Belgium, Mexico City and Japan the realism of Formula 1 racing takes hold and the excitement never stops. The character of the novice driver Joshua Pearce is easily handled by Damson Idris who has to show his outright jealousy and disdain for his new teammate and competitor. As for Sonny Hayes, it’s a pushover part that Pitt easily slips into and makes the film a winner.
If you are not familiar with how Formula 1 racing works read on:
In Formula 1racing there are two World Championships: one for DRIVERS and one for CONSTRUCTORS (builders of the car). Drivers accumulate points based on their finishing position in each Grand Prix they get to race in with the driver scoring the most points at the end of the season winning the Drivers’ Championship. Each driver races a car in the same race and are on the track at the same time.
The Constructors’ Championship is determined by the combined points of both drivers representing a team. For Drivers, points are awarded to the top 10 finishers only in each Grand Prix, with 25 points for first place, 18 for second, 15 for third, and so on down to 1 point for tenth. If drivers are tied on points at the end of the season, the championship is decided by the number of race wins, then the number of second-place finishes, and so on. Knowing the above will allow the viewer to understand the push to get Sunny Hayes as a driver, Joshua Pearce’s attitude toward Sunny, and owner Ruben Cervantes’s pressure on drivers and pit crews to keep their cars in the top 10. Information courtesy of Google/Wikipedia
F1: The Movie has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for strong language, and action. If you see it on the big screen in a theater you will feel like you are in the cars running the race. Best viewing is either IMAX or Dolby Atmos auditoriums with a big screen. For those who like speed, are addicted to formula 1 racing or want to see Brad Pitt back in action, the film is a must see.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, Sarah Niles
Directed and co-written by: Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun Maverick, Only the Brave)
Genre: Action, Drama, Auto Racing
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for strong language, and action.
Run Time: 2 hrs. 35 min.
Opening Date: June 27, 2025
Distributed by: Warner Bros.
Released in: Theaters, Dolby, IMAX
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
