An aging ex-F1 racer who is way too old and way past his prime is hired back as a hail mary to help a struggling, failing Formula 1 team back to the winner’s block or at least enough so everyone doesn’t lose their jobs. F1: THE MOVIE brings back a trusted formula of entertaining awesomeness to zoom the summer movie going experience into high gear.
It’s quite a simple recipe:
F1: THE MOVIE isn’t rocket science. It’s easy and fun with multiple rewatchable scenes full of funny moments and action-packed sequences involving Formula 1 racing. I for one know nothing about Formula 1, but F1: THE MOVIE makes it easy to follow. I was thankful for the ridiculous play by play of the announcer explaining exactly what the strategy and dangers were behind the driving techniques and pit stops. Team is exactly what the sport involves and taught us intricacies of strategy like a chess match over simply just racing fast. Granted, it appears as if no other team is implementing such clever strategy as our team and Brad Pitt’s character, Sonny Hayes, is the only one to ever think of some basic concepts, which might annoy super fans of the sport. But for someone like me, I let the absurd, risky, wild ways of the sport wash over me as joyful entertainment.
We’ve seen this same old man going rogue getting his chance at glory one last time in sports movies before (MAJOR LEAGUE, THE ROOKIE, ROCKY sequels, and many others). Guess what? It works! Even at a slightly too long runtime of 2 hours and 35 minutes, F1: THE MOVIE is so much fun and looks absolutely pristine with exciting visuals and pacing, which makes it the best movie of the summer so far. F1: THE MOVIE is the type of thrilling, fun-fueled, theater going experience that keeps the audience coming back for another spin around the track.
