"F1" (2025) Film Review-Arguably one of the top films of the year races ahead

Two Summers ago, on May 27th, 2022, the theatrical cinematic realms were re-awakened from their post-COVID dormant state of being by a little film titled “Top Gun: Maverick“. It re-introduced us to the absolute elation of seeing not only a highly anticipated (and, granted, 36 years in the making!) sequel, but the return of the quintessential Summer blockbuster to witness on the BIG screen again. It was a shot in the arm the mainstream Hollywood machine required…and succeeded with.

Fast forward down the track to this soon-to-be-completed Summer of 2025, which saw, for this critic, another glorious injection of magical escapism and visual thrills, with depth of character and story development to boot, via that aforementioned film’s director Joseph Kosinski‘s stellar “F1”. Easily one of the best efforts to grace the silver screen this year, the project’s combination of drama and breathtaking racing sequences swept us away into the Formula One world with precision driving and engaging flair. It IS “Top Gun: Maverick” for 2025.

The narrative focuses on our main protagonist, former-now-retired champ Sonny Hayes (played to perfection by a gracefully aging Brad Pitt) who finds himself pulled back into the adrenaline-fueled racing game by his struggling ex-boss Ruben Cervantes (also played with excellence by Javier Bardem). Both battling their own past and current demons, mix in a cocky rising star Joshua Pierce (Damson Idris), plus potential new love for Hayes in chief car designer Kate McKenna (Kerry Condon), and it’s a wild ride, twists and turns, all at full speed.

Now, does the grander execution of the narrative follow what one could say are the prototypical tropes we might expect, ie: the former, haunted hero, the initially resisted pull of the thrill again, the generation gap clashing, by-the-book vs. seemingly reckless approaches, the moment of being put down and having to be reminded to stand tall, et al…..YES. And honestly, SO WHAT?? Just like it’s explored in this and similar style of stories, you just can’t help but get drawn into it and be inspired by it, no matter how many times this same…formula…is used.

The sheer majesty of the actual racing sequences is nothing short of awe-inspiring, as we get a very intimate, in-your-face perspective inside the cars as well as from outside and the sense of speed, danger, and undeniable rush of exhilaration you experience is just plain awesome. This was especially apparent when viewing on an IMAX screen! But, what I also admire is that the film doesn’t sacrifice story building and character involvement for the sake of ONLY presenting image-centric emphasis.

Quite the contrary, we are privy to plenty of off-the-track adversity and ascendancy that moves along at just the right pace to not seem overtly unnecessary or boring, but relevant and captivating. It is also tempered with some lighter moments of humor that are pulled off equally well, and certainly aren’t out of place in the greater scheme of the film’s purpose. You INVEST in the characters, and that is something I personally don’t always feel is common in mainstream films necessarily. Here, it is present and pertinent.

As hinted at above, Pitt is at his best, not attempting to play someone “younger” or literally beyond his age, but rather embracing it all through his role as Sonny. He’s believable, flawed, rugged, self-assured, and thinks with his heart and head, while still possessing that “old school”, unorthodox manner to his driving that makes him the “Maverick” of the Formula One arena. Pitt just has this magnetic charm and credibility that sells you on Sonny’s character with ease and total control.

Idris’ Joshua is the “Hangman” (Glenn Powell’s character from “TG: Maverick”) of this film, here arrogant and so caught up in purveying his social media presence that sometimes he might actually forget he’s a driver who could be the best. Bardem’s Ruben is a businessman on the edge, close to losing all that he and Sonny had at one point and longing to see things come back around. Bardem always plays these characters with finesse and energy, no exception here.

Condon’s Kate is a whip-smart car designer whose notion of Sonny isn’t precisely positive until realizing the genius behind his racing style and mentality, which eventually begin to win her over in more ways than one. There’s a fantastic ensemble cast of supporting players that adeptly round out and very much compliment the main stars here, and it makes for the overall direction and tone of the film to carry forward intelligently and entertainingly. That, I feel, is the mark of a well-conceived mainstream effort.

So, if you haven’t already, make it a priority to catch “F1”, and I repeat ideally ON the BIG screen if at all possible, to see why it truly is a serious high point of 2025 to date. Rev the engines, buckle yourself in, put both hands on the wheel, and brace for acceleration when that light rail goes green. This is one film to catch. Hands down. Pedal to the floor. GO!!