Cook review: Race out to see ‘F1: The Movie'

Yahoo

20 hours ago

You will appreciate this movie only if you enjoy:
'Top Gun: Maverick,' because it has the same director (Joseph Kosinski.)
Formula One racing
Fast cars/action movies
Sports movies
Films with realistic characters and enjoyable character drama.
'F1: The Movie' has that same fast-paced breeziness that made 'Top Gun: Maverick' a super-hit. Only this time, it's Brad Pitt instead of Tom Cruise that's the superstar leading the pack in this racing tale. It offers the themes that the best sports movies have: What makes a team, what causes contention among teammates, and personal growth.
Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a talented driver who's a bit of a, well, maverick. Javier Bardem is Sonny's old friend who recruits him for his losing Formula One team. The confident Sonny butts heads with his much younger teammate Joshua (a terrific Damson Idris) as soon as they set eyes on each other.
The team's technical director Kate (Kerry Condon) also has her eyes on Sonny, who returns the gaze.
I love how Kosinski puts you squarely in the race cars so that you feel you're a part of the action. You're there during the competition, you're on the track when the going gets touch and you're right beside cars that fly off the track.
Pitt is such a natural for this role, showing up a little late and moving to his own rhythms as he irritates some and enchants others. This is the kind of character-with-a-past that audiences love to root for.
'F1' proves that you don't need a single gun to have an engaging actioner. The movement on the track along with the competition on and off the track are all you need for a pulse-pounding ride that's a winning entry in this summer's cinematic contenders .
3 ½ stars
Rated: PG-13 for scenes of injury and foul language.
Running time: Two hours and 35 minutes.
In theaters.
Watch the trailer here.
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