MOVIE REVIEW | F1 – Let’s be honest right from the start — I am not a motorsport fan.
In fact, if I were to compile a list of things that make my eyes glaze over, Formula 1®, supercars, or anything else that involves speeding around a track repeatedly would sit comfortably near the top.
So when I walked into a special preview screening of F1 at Event Cinemas in Innaloo, Perth, I wasn’t expecting much. Yes, Brad Pitt is front and centre. Yes, it’s directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski and backed by the powerhouses of Apple Original Films, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Plan B Entertainment. But it’s still a racing movie… right?
What a surprise.
F1 is a pulse-pounding cinematic experience that manages to be both pure adrenaline and emotional substance — an impressive feat given its setting in the world of high-stakes motorsport. It’s a film that doesn’t just capture the speed and spectacle of Formula 1®, but digs deeper into themes of failure, redemption, ego, and unlikely second chances. This isn’t just for petrolheads — it’s a film for anyone who’s ever wanted a shot at rewriting their past.
A Comeback Story with Heart (and Horsepower)
Brad Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a once-great Formula 1® driver who faded from the limelight years ago after a spectacular fall from grace. Now older, wiser — and still carrying the kind of ego only Pitt can make charming — Sonny is coaxed back into the F1 world to mentor a young rising star (played by Damson Idris) and race once more for the fictional APXGP team. What could have been a tired comeback story becomes something far more emotionally engaging thanks to Ehren Kruger’s script and Kosinski’s sharp direction.
There’s a certain well-worn Pitt charm here — the cocky but vulnerable loner with a quick wit and a hidden heart — echoing performances like Rusty from Ocean’s Eleven. Some might call it typecasting, but frankly, it works. Pitt knows how to play this character, and the audience knows how to root for him.
Idris, meanwhile, holds his own opposite Pitt, bringing depth to a role that could have easily been a one-note protégé. The chemistry between the two leads is electric, with tension, mutual respect, and competitiveness building as the film progresses. And rounding out the cast is a strong ensemble, including Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Kim Bodnia, and Javier Bardem — all lending gravitas to the drama unfolding off the track.
The Thrill of the Track — Captured Like Never Before
Shot during actual Grand Prix weekends, F1 achieves something rarely seen in sports films: authenticity. The racing sequences are visceral, immersive, and often breathtaking. Cinematographer Claudio Miranda (Life of Pi, Top Gun: Maverick) delivers some of his finest work here, placing the audience in the driver’s seat — sometimes literally. You feel every turn, every engine roar, every brush with danger.
What’s more remarkable is how consistently the film maintains momentum. From the opening sequence to the final lap, F1 never lets up. You’d expect some slowdown during character development, but even those quieter moments are intercut with high-octane visuals and sharp dialogue.
And then there’s the sound. Hans Zimmer’s score revs like a finely tuned engine — bombastic, emotional, and perfectly in sync with the on-screen action. Combined with the sound design, F1 becomes a full-body experience. This is definitely one for the big screen.
More Than Just a Sports Movie
While the film is undeniably about racing, F1 succeeds in transcending its genre. At its core, it’s about the human drive to prove oneself — to come back from failure, to inspire others, and to chase glory not for ego, but for meaning. Pitt’s character is no superhero. He’s deeply flawed, slightly arrogant, and emotionally guarded. But that’s what makes his journey compelling. It’s not about winning the race. It’s about winning back a sense of purpose.
The film also lightly touches on mentorship, generational shifts in sport, and the complicated dynamics between fame, legacy, and regret — all without ever feeling preachy or weighed down.
Final Thoughts
Walking into F1, I expected 120 minutes of fast cars and little else. What I got instead was one of the most enjoyable films of the year. It’s a big, bold blockbuster with a surprisingly big heart. Whether you’re a lifelong Formula 1® fan or someone who finds motorsport about as exciting as watching paint dry, F1 delivers.
With Kosinski’s flair for visual storytelling, Zimmer’s thundering score, and Pitt in a role he was seemingly born to play (again), this is a movie that begs to be seen in a cinema. Loud, fast, and emotionally resonant — F1 isn’t just a racing movie. It’s a redemption movie, a buddy movie, a love story, and an underdog tale all wrapped into one.
Don’t wait for this to hit streaming. Grab your popcorn, your choc top, and strap in. F1 races into cinemas on June 26 — and it’s absolutely worth the ride.
Rating
Aaron: 8.5 / 10 “High-octane, emotional, and unmissable – F1 is a blockbuster built for the big screen.”
Zak: 8.5 / 10 “F1 is pure adrenaline – a turbocharged crowd-pleaser with heart, speed, and star power.”
Cinema Experience:
The stars were out in more ways than one on Thursday, 19 June 2025, as Event Cinemas Innaloo played host to an exclusive preview screening of the highly anticipated Brad Pitt blockbuster F1. From the moment guests arrived, it was clear this wasn’t just a movie night — it was an event.
With local celebrities including several West Coast Eagles players gracing the venue, the atmosphere was electric. The buzz of anticipation was matched by Event Cinemas’ top-tier hospitality. Guests were treated to complimentary popcorn — always a crowd-pleaser — and a variety of drinks, including Heineken 0.0, which doubled as a clever nod to the film itself. In F1, Damson Idris’ character Joshua Pierce is seen enjoying the alcohol-free beverage, and its presence at the screening was a nice touch of immersive product placement.
The screening took place in the VMAX theatre, and it couldn’t have been a better setting for such a film. With its massive screen, booming surround sound, and ultra-comfortable seating, VMAX delivered the kind of immersive experience F1 was made for. Every rev of the engine, every screech of the tyres, and every pulse-pounding overtake was felt in full force — exactly as director Joseph Kosinski intended.
The staff were friendly, the event well-organised, and the vibe was equal parts glamorous and relaxed. Whether you were there for the star power of Brad Pitt or just in for a good night out at the movies, Event Cinemas Innaloo delivered a truly memorable experience.
Link to Universal HERE
TV Central Movie Reviews HERE
MOVIE REVIEW | F1
About the Movie
MOVIE | F1 new trailer – From Apple Original Films and the filmmakers from Top Gun: Maverick comes F1®, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski. The film is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Kosinski, famed Formula 1® driver Lewis Hamilton, Pitt, Jeremy Kleiner, Dede Gardner and Chad Oman.
The highly anticipated Formula 1® racing feature stars Pitt as a former driver who returns to Formula 1®, alongside Damson Idris as his teammate at APXGP, a fictional team on the grid. The feature has been shot during actual Grand Prix weekends as the team competes against the titans of the sport.
F1® also stars Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Kim Bodnia, and Javier Bardem.
Kosinski directs from a screenplay by Ehren Kruger. The film is executive produced by Daniel Lupi. Collaborating with Kosinski behind the scenes are his creative team, including director of photography Claudio Miranda, production designers Mark Tildesley and Ben Munro, editor Stephen Mirrione, costume designer Julian Day, casting director Lucy Bevan and composer Hans Zimmer.
Apple Original Films Presents a Monolith Pictures / Jerry Bruckheimer / Plan B Entertainment / Dawn Apollo Films Production, A Film by Joseph Kosinski, F1®, distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, in cinemas nationwide on June 26, 2025.
