Brad Pitt swoons and the cars go fast, but the entertainment value runs out of gas at the 156-minute finish line. As per mind-numbingly usual, Hollywood takes a user-friendly summer blockbuster formula and bloats it.
The washed-up-veteran-mentoring-the-cocky-rookie story works well on the racetrack, and actors Pitt, Javier Bardem, and Damson Idris divvy the testosterone respectfully. Add a romantic love interest (a terrific Kerry Condon), and you should be set.
What’s needed is more vulnerability and less two-dimensional characterization.
Although speed, thunderous sound, and a killer Hans Zimmer score fire it up, the narrative development is just lengthy swagger, and the pun is intended.
Regarding the race car flick, one might yearn for the historic relevancy of Senna (2010), dramatic rivalry in Rush (2013) or all of the above in Ford v Ferrari (my favorite movie of 2019).
Still, F1 The Movie (2025) is air-conditioned fun, and you don’t need to know a lot about the race car jargon to enjoy it. Terms like undercut and Drag Reduction System are met with “Formula One is a team sport” and “lose that lead, and I’ll kill you.” The F1 merchandise package is at shameless full speed, but the thrills are warranted.
When done right, you just place your tongue in the cheek, a camera near the POV of the driver, and enjoy the ride to virility.
In this case, the ride could be 30 minutes and a couple inches shorter.
F1 The Movie (2025) ***
Reely Bernie 
Just got around to seeing Ford v Ferrari recently. Great movie. Haven’t seen F1 yet, but agree with you re running times. It’s becoming a problem all too often. Whatever happened to editing?
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Thank you for sharing that with me. I really enjoyed that one, and I know nothing about race cars. F1 is lower on the brain cell leveling 🙂
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I went to see F1 by myself because even though I’m not a big sports fan, I couldn’t pass up Joseph Kosinski’s follow up to Top Gun: Maverick. I can safely say that being placed in a Formula One car was just as exhilarating as a jet plane. You’re right that it could’ve been shorter and more fast paced. Especially for a completely original movie that audiences need more of.
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Hey, Triple M! Yeah, it was a fun experience in the theatre, but, otherwise, a forgettable movie as a whole. It was a summer blockbuster dose, but I remember the characters and narrative of Top Gun: Maverick way more 🙂
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It worked. As a summer blockbuster. As a sports film for people who don’t follow the sport and as an Old Bloke Wish Fulfilment Fantasy
I had a good time
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It worked. Just too long for me, and I only have one bladder. But, yeah, good vicarious stuff!
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Hahaha
I just wet myself (laughing that is. Not in the cinema as a make it through the film strategy)
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I was really looking forward to taking my kids to see this in the next few days, but it’s a shame to hear it’s so bloated – though that doesn’t surprise me. Lately, action movies do seem to drag on a bit too long. That said, they absolutely loved the last Mission Impossible, so who knows? I also wrote about Ford v Ferrari since we enjoyed it so much. Senna is one I really should revisit maybe with them instead of watching this?
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If they liked the last M: I, they will like this one—entertaining and long. I liked F v F way more, but most of America seems to be melting to Brad Pitt. For me, it was pretty forgettable.
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That’s been my experience since Maverick. We’ll see what happens. If Pitt can make Bean from Oakland look good in that movie, I’m on board.
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I finally saw F1 last night and was genuinely impressed. It never lagged for me, and I have to tip my hat once again to Pitt—his knack for bringing the charm and drawing the audience in is unmatched. I didn’t see the so-called “two characterisation” problem at all; I thought every character was well fleshed-out. Ford v Ferrari might have the slight edge, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one—even as someone who’s hardly an F1 aficionado. I’d rate it nudging towards four stars. Cheers, Bernie.
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Glad to hear it, Matthew, and thank you for sharing. The overlength and macho-ness still bored me, but the on-the-track action and Brad Pitt grins were definitely entertaining. I learned a lot about the sport too. Not sure if I’ll ever follow it though. Back to another 100-degree day of school. Luckily, Sunday brings rain and 72 degrees to Colorado…
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I hope you get more agreeable weather in your teaching days. Nothing worse than a sweltering classroom, mate.
I just didn’t get much macho-ness at all apart from Brad playing an ol’ timer driver. There’s a bit of Maverick in the role too – not a bad thing in these ‘old people and their ideas suck times’. The thing I really liked in his macho-ness is how he sometimes came across as shallow and a bit of a dope. It’s well balanced.
On the non macho side – You had JP practically living with his Mum and the smart fem engineer who’s got Brad wrapped around her finger – kinda.
I have been following more of the Sport as Australian Piastri is leading the driver’s championship. That reminds me of the other aspect I liked in the movie was how they got actual real-time drivers intermixed in the racing and footage. That would have been no mean feat, doing that as well as they did and makng it seem so real.
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One other aspect I didn’t enjoy was the handholding commentator announcing that felt way too expositional. I understand they are trying to educate race car dopes like me, but it felt over the top. I don’t recall much from F1 as one of my summer blockbusters, and I don’t think I’ll revisit it like the more character-driven Top Gun: Maverick, which deserved at least four stars.
Regarding sports, it’s all about the Denver Broncos now, and I’m curious about Arsenal’s new project in Viktor Gyokeres.
Can’t wait for my horror movies in the fall too!
Happy weekend, mate! Much needed…
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I didn’t even notice the handholding commentator.
There’s one scene I think is among Pitt’s best — when he’s talking to his new flame, the female engineer, on the balcony about “flying around the track.” It reminded me of that moment in Ford v Ferrari when Ken Miles explains the perfect lap to his son. But honestly, Pitt’s acting in this scene blew me away.
Yeah, we’re about a full star apart on this one, but that’s all good, man.
I didn’t picture you as a NFL fan. Anyhow’s good luck to your Broncos and of course the Gunners in England.
Speaking of horror movies, I will be off to see in the next couple of days the new horror flick which people are raving about – ‘Weopons’. I thought that would have been must-see for you.
Enjoy your rest this weekend.
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Ha! I just posted my review of ‘Weapons.’ Despite what I thought was a loopholed ending, the ride to get there was like none other. My theater was screaming and laughing and jumping in sync. An incredible experience. I hope you get to see it soon. That is an in-theater must!
Enjoy your weekend as well. Students arrive this week, so it’ll be teacher Bernie soon. I’m excited. I need routine, my friend. I do better with a schedule, haha!
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I’ll see you over there then. I just mentioned your article in my latest ‘News on the March’ segment. Cheers man.
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That should read Eyes Wide Shut not Eyes Wide Open.
I have the feeling that Stanley Kubrick’s pet ape would throw a bone at me for that one while Richard Strauss’ Thus Sprach Zarathustra plays in the background.
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Match cut! Love it. Glad to know you are a Kubrick diehard. I miss him.
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So do I.
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This sounds like an interesting film.
Interestingly enough, it was 35 years ago on June 27th 1990 that another car racing film was released.
Days of Thunder.
The movie where Tom Cruise met Nicole Kidman.
Quite different from Eyes Wide Open.
The movie where Tom Cruise eventually divorced Nicole Kidman.
Ironically enough Days of Thunder had a Hans Zimmer film score as well.
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I just rewatched Rain Man, and lo and behold, there’s Tom Cruise walking to Hans Zimmer yet again! Wow, can’t believe Days of Thunder was 35 years ago. I think Tom will outlive us all.
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Yes, he’ll be jumping out of a parachute on his 100th birthday and single handedly defeating the People’s Liberation Army as they invade Taiwan.
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Haha! Love this.
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35 YEARS???? Say it ain’t so! 😦 … none of us are that old, surely. 😀
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I’m 46 and already considering knee replacement 😦 To be 35 again, hehe
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