When the year starts, we typically have our list of the most anticipated films that will soon be released. Full transparency, I can tell you right now that F1 The Movie was on my radar, and I knew I was going to check it out, but I was not prepared for it to be one of the best films of 2025 so far. It’s one thing to be a good movie, but to be one hell of a great cinematic experience is a status hard to achieve. Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a Formula One driver who is forced to retire early after suffering injuries in a near-fatal crash. He is given a second chance decades later when his old friend and former teammate, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), needs assistance with saving his APXGP team (might I add that Bardem wore the hell out of those suits in every scene!). Hayes is met with many who doubt his potential, including a young hotshot named Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), whom he bumps heads with on many occasions. As the film follows the team through a series of races, audiences are taken on a wild ride that lacks brakes as it never slows down.
I might be new to the scene, but immediately, one of the most appealing aspects of the movie is the beautifully sleek setup that is built between the confines of each track they attend. The way the bright white furniture meshes so well with the shiny white tables and futuristic electronics is quite the standout. The reason this is important to note is that it’s one of the qualities of the film that reminds you this is taking place today. The momentum of the film doesn’t slow down for one bit and that’s what makes F1 The Movie so great – your adrenaline is pumping the entire runtime. This has all the ingredients for a perfect summer Blockbuster, including the flawless score crafted by the one and only Hans Zimmer. Oh and, I know this goes without saying, but this a flick meant to be seen in IMAX as every bit of the action and fast-paced thrills are felt. As I said in my reaction video, it’s like Brad Pitt is sitting in your lap.
As someone unfamiliar with the F1 scene, I found myself fully captivated by what I was seeing. It was so exhilarating of an experience that I searched for tickets to the Formula 1 races the very next day (I’ll most likely shoot for the Austin or Vegas dates). Going into this, you know it’s going to be about racing, but the way each character has their own story is also what keeps you invested during the moments when they are away from the track. With Hayes living in his van to Pearce being humbled by the vet, there’s a great storyline that is entertaining to watch, regardless if you think it’s predictable or not. It has it all and it deserves your attention as it’s easily one of the best movies to release so far, and arguably might finish in the top 10 when we make it to December.
F1 The Movie is in theaters June 27th. Trust me, you’re going to want to buckle up and catch this one on the biggest screen possible.
Rating: 5/5
