Plot: What’s it about?
When it comes to movie about car racing, they’re few and far between. Actually any movie related to sports in general is “few and far between.” But, in recent years, we’ve had Gran Turismo, Ford v Ferrari and reaching back a few more years – Rush. I’d say that’s a pretty good run in the last dozen years. So couple the sport with that of director of Top Gun: Maverick and this is what you end up with. Originally thought to be a sequel to Days of Thunder (a guilty pleasure of mine), F1: The Movie developed into something more. Look at it as Top Gun on a race track if you will, but one thing I’ll say is that this one delivers. Switching gears, I’ll also say that I have a newfound respect for those that choose this sport as a career. Not only could they die at any given moment, but I’m the type who’s pulse rate goes into three digits if I go past 80mph – these guys go 200mph while six inches away from another car. It takes a special type who can do that. Shall we get started? 3…2…1…
Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a former race car driver who had his career cut short by a near fatal accident. He’s had personal and professional problems for the last few decades and now works as somewhat of a freelance “driver for hire.” He’s good. When an old colleague of his, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), approaches him with an offer Sonny is conflicted. Rueben owns his own F1 team and is at the end of his rope. He figures that Sonny’s persona and experience might be just what’s needed to save things. He’s also hoping that he can get a handle on arrogant young driver Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris). Sonny reluctantly accepts the offer and we meet the usual cast of characters that check all the boxes. Their ultimate goal is to get a point so that they can continue racing for the next few years, otherwise the team will be sold to the highest bidder. Showing us the obligatory ups and downs of the sport (or any sports movie), things start to materialize, friendships are formed, tempers flare and, wouldn’t you know it, it all comes down to the “last, big race.”
I enjoyed F1: The Movie. I really did. But I’ll be the first to say that it won’t be one that’ll challenge your intellect. There are several very predictable moments in the film from the romantic flare between Pits’s Sonny and Kate (Kerry Condon) and even an all-too-predictable hand of poker. But those are details and this one is all about the ride. After all, movies are supposed to be entertaining so if you’re looking for a two-and-a-half hour film that’ll also make you think, just check out a Christopher Nolan film. Any of ’em. All this aside, it really is Brad Pitt’s film and he employs the same “Aw shucks” mentality that he brought as Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. Hey, he won an Academy Award for his role – if it ain’t broke…The ensemble cast does a fine job as well. Kosinski, who also co-wrote the film, essentially takes what worked with Top Gun: Maverick and applies it to the race track. And the result is the reason why we go to the movies.
Video: How’s it look?
The film is one of the marquee releases of the year and with a budget of over $200 million dollars it’d better look good. It does. Evidently Apple developed small 10cm cameras that were placed inside the car to give the viewer a more realistic view of what the driver actually sees. I don’t know how accurate it is, but let me tell you – the bigger the screen you see this on – the better. The 2.39:1 HEVC 4K image makes use of every inch of the screen with breathtaking visuals, sweeping aerial shots but also gives us fine detail (Brad Pitt is actually showing signs of aging)! Bold colors, strong contrast and an oddly colorful palette make way for stark whites that contrast nicely with the asphalt. In essence, this one delivers just as we’d expect it to and certainly pulls no punches. It’s a beautiful picture.
Audio: How’s it sound?
A fine compliment to how good this picture looks is how it sounds. There are films that benefit from Dolby Atmos and then there are those that are made with it in mind. As anyone would guess (correctly) this is the latter. I don’t care how many speakers you’ve got in your setup, each and every one of them will get a work out during the running time. The high-pitched hum of the engines, the purr of the motor, the squealing of the tires and everything in between all sounds wonderful. Vocals are spot on as well. Surrounds, all of them, are used often. If there’s ever a movie that can literally put you right in the middle of the action – this is it. What a fine example of how a movie can sound!
Supplements: What are the extras?
This steelbook edition adds a Blu-ray copy of the movie over the standard 4K offering (if that’s important to you).
- Inside the F1: The Movie Table Read – On June 19, 2023, the cast of F1 joined Director Joseph Kosinski and Producer Jerry Bruckheimer at Silverstone for a table read. As excitement and anticipation builds, the cast reminisce on the momentous occasion and reflect on their friendships.
- The Anatomy of a Crash – One of the most intense scenes in the film was loosely inspired by FORMULA 1 driver Romain Grosjean’s Bahrain crash in 2020. Take an in-depth look at how this technically challenging scene was filmed practically.
- Getting Up to Speed – Get the inside track on how Brad Pitt and Damson Idris became racing drivers. Lead driving choreographers Luciano Bacheta and Craig Dolby reveal the hard work and dedication that went into getting the cast behind the wheel and up to speed.
- APXGP Innovations – Each year, Formula 1 teams make serious engineering and technological advancements to their cars. The same can be said for the F1 crew, who worked hard across departments – sound, camera, RF, rigging, stunts and SFX – and found new ways to innovate.
- Making it to Silverstone – The first days of filming at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix 2023 at Silverstone took months, if not years, of planning and rehearsal of the Grid Walk and Formation Lap scenes. The goal: to shoot live without disturbing the integrity of the race.
- Lewis Hamilton: Producer – When Joseph Kosinski decided to make a film about the world of F1, the first person he called was 7-time World Drivers’ Champion Lewis Hamilton. Filmmakers discuss Hamilton’s value as a producer, how he influenced the script, his set visits and more!
- APXGP Sets and Locations Around the World – Welcome to the APXGP garage, designed to fit perfectly into the F1 paddock for filming across the globe. Go beyond the track to see how F1 teams McLaren, Williams, and Mercedes welcomed cast and crew into their factories and team facilities.
- APXGP and F1: How it was Filmed – The cast and crew had one hour to film the exciting Red Flag sequence. As it was the climax of the film and the true culmination of the partnership between filmmakers and Formula 1, all 10 teams and cars flocked to the pit lane to participate!
- Sound of Speed – Join Hans Zimmer at AIR Studios for the first recording sessions of F1’s epic score, with Jerry Bruckheimer joining the session to witness the magic. Zimmer reflects on his desire for the sound of the cars to influence the music of the orchestra.
The Bottom Line
Movies are meant to be entertaining and this one is. Even if you’re not a fan of Formula 1 racing (and I’m not) and don’t understand it (I don’t), the 155 minutes whiz by. Reference-quality audio and video along with a decent selection of supplements make for a very interesting, and satisfying, watch.
