“Top Gun: Maverik” Director Applies Formula to Brad Pitt Vehicle “F1 The Movie” – Review
- Colton Gomez
- Jun 28
- 4 min read
Review
By Colton Gomez | 06/28/25 | 9:47 P.M. Mountain Time
Action, Sport | Rated PG-13 | 2 hr 30 min | "F1 The Movie" Release Date: June 27, 2025
This is not a poorly put together film, rather it’s intentionally safe in every decision which harms any fond memory we might get from it. The screen looks very clean, the camera movements are motorized, and the story model is reimplemented with a different coat of paint. It’s not trying to say anything or be anything other than a reminder to buy luxury items and watch formula one racing. You will be attacked with brand names in every scene.
Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, an old timer in Formula One (F1) racing. He’s recruited by a colleague, Ruben (Javier Bardem), from back in his would-be glory days as the ninth pick for his Apex organization. If it weren’t for a horrific accident three decades ago, Sonny would have achieved fame and glory instead of developing a gambling addiction. Sonny clashes with the team initially and works closely with the team’s technical director (Kerry Condon) to make a faster car. He gets a second chance at the title with his new teammate, young up-and-comer JP (Damson Idris). The two generations argue about racing styles and priorities. They have to get along if they want even a chance to get first place.
Pitt and Idris have believable chemistry that anchors the film in their progressing friendship. Both of them are strong-willed and hard-headed which makes it fun to watch their horns lock. When JP makes a decision against Sonny’s direction, both of them make their case as to why each other are wrong. It creates an interesting dynamic of generational frustrations, asking which one will win over the other, if either will.
Pitt plays his scenes too coolly. This doesn’t make him a cool person, it just makes him uninteresting. His best scenes are those in which he shows some vulnerability, not when he’s ignoring the girl he’s been chasing. Most of the time we see him with a blunt smile or stoic, heroic look. I get the feeling that this movie was written for Tom Cruise but they got Pitt instead.
Idris played the part of a cocky, young, promising driver in great complement to Pitt’s egotistical, my-way-or-the-highway type. You could feel that they cared for each other while despising one another. Idris held the most heart and interest in this otherwise heartless and disinteresting film.
Bardem’s character is the alternate route Sonny could have taken after his accident. He doesn’t do much for the story other than remind us that Sonny is a born and bred driver who lives for the thrill of it, not the money. If it weren’t for the constant reminders in dialogue that the two of them are friends, I wouldn’t know it.
Hans Zimmer scored this film but his work is crowded out by the numerous songs produced for the vocal album. I could feel him trying to elevate this movie to heights it was frankly never going to reach. You can’t elevate passion that wasn’t there from the beginning. The effect is making some scenes feel silly and over the top when Pitt walks to dramatic strings with a neutral expression that is supposed to mean something.
It feels like this movie is full of contractual obligations; to sell music, to sell logos, to make everyone involved a lot of money. Nobody is passionate about telling this story that’s been told a hundred times before. You could overlay this film with director Joseph Kosinski’s most recent “Top Gun: Maverick” and it would feel largely the same: Older man with a competitive young-at-heart vibe in the field never progressed as far as he should have due to a tragic accident in his past would-be glory days who gets the chance to prove himself and finds a soft romance plot along the way to his betterment in his personal and professional life. Planes to cars. Are scooters next? Running?
What’s really disappointing about this film is that I don’t mind it. I don’t love it; I don’t hate it. It’s okay. It leaves you with a good, vague feeling that dissipates soon after you receive it. It follows a proven formula to make the safest choices possible. You can feel the beat sheet being filled out while you watch it. There’s just nothing genuine or authentic. It’s not trying to be an art piece, instead it tries to sell everything on screen. This is a corporate movie. What’s special about “F1 The Movie?” I dunno. Racecars?
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Review by Colton Gomez
Colton Gomez earned his BA in Film Studies from Weber State University. He owns and operates ColtonGomez.com. Here, he covers new releases in theaters and on streaming. For short versions of his reviews, check out his LetterBoxd
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Summary
Action, Thriller
Rated PG-13
2 hr 30 min
"F1 The Movie" Release Date: June 27, 2025
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Screenplay by: Ehren Kruger, Joseph Kosinski
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