F1 (2025)

F1 stands for Formula One (as everyone knows) and it applies to this movie in more ways than one. Not only does it centre on the car racing that goes by that name but it is also one of the most formula movies I have ever seen. It's been a while since I've sat through a film that feels like it is crafted in such a paint-by-numbers, recipe-for-success mode as F1 which is clearly dedicated to being the most people pleasing, take no risks, stick to the formula film of the year. 

And it works. The film has been a huge financial success, is very watchable and, as I said pleasing. It has a nice message, a nice story, nice characters, and reaches the story arc conclusions we all want when we go to the movies. It hits all the beats: underdog story, romance between beautiful people, mentor/mentee who dislike each other at first come together for success. Shockingly things go poorly at first until through perseverance our heroes succeed. This is the plot of every sports movie and here it is executed classically. 

Kosinski knows how to make mass market movies and he's done that. He focuses on his strong cast reminding us why Pitt is a true movie star and that Idris has a great future in film. He fills his screen with big epic sets and pulse pounding racing action. It is all very well done. I get why audiences like it. 

But that's where it sort of bored me a bit. It all just felt so familiar. I was never surprised, never wondering what would happen next. I just need something more than that in a movie, even when it is a "good" movie like this. It's a beautiful, well acted, action packed film that feels like everything I've seen before. 

On paper F1 is a really good movie. I just couldn't get myself excited anywhere in it. The cinematography is amazing, the editing is truly remarkable. The performances of its stars as well as the supporting cast (Condon, Bardem, all of them) are truly top notch. It's hard to find anything wrong with the film the film. In fact it could be used as an example of a very well made movie that clearly has resonated with audiences. It's just nothing new. It's not original. And in that, for me at least, meant it's not interesting. 

F1

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Javier Bardem, Sarah Niles, Tobias Menzies

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Writer: Ehren Kruger