Latest news with #APXGP
Cosmopolitan
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
The Ending of 'F1 The Movie', Explained
You've heard this story before: Person from [insert legitimate or criminal career] returns for one last go at [taking down a sworn enemy/entering the boxing ring/pulling off a heist] even though they're older and hardened and said they'd never do it again. Welcome to the genre, F1 the Movie. In the new summer blockbuster hopeful, Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a former Formula One driver who retired 30 years prior after suffering terrible injuries in a crash. He's convinced to return to racing on the team of his former friend and fellow ex-driver, Ruben (Javier Bardem). Sonny's teammate is an up-and-coming driver, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), and they're on the worst team in the league, APXGP. Will the newbie and the veteran be able to pull off a comeback, save the team from being dismantled by its board, and stop Ruben from being forced to sell it? Will Sonny change his legacy in the sport? Will Joshua make a name for himself? That's what audiences are there to find out. And, if they're F1 fans, they're also there to check out all the cameos from the real drivers and critique how accurate the film is to actual racing. If you've already seen F1 and want a bit more clarity on how things turned out, keep reading. If you think you might see F1 and don't want it spoiled, turn back now! We're about to get into how things shake out for Sonny, Joshua, and the APXGP team. With Sonny driving for APXGP, the team steadily works their way closer to the podium. This is despite Sonny doing a number of things that certainly wouldn't fly in real F1 Grands Prix and Sonny and Joshua not initially getting along. During the Las Vegas Grand Prix—the second to last race of the year—Sonny is injured and hospitalized, at which point Ruben finds out just how bad Sonny's injuries from 30 years earlier were. Like, he was nearly paralyzed and should have never raced again. So, Ruben fires him. After he's released from the hospital, Sonny is approached by APXGP board member Peter (Tobias Menzies), who reveals that he wants Ruben to be forced to sell the team so that he can start his own team, and he wants to bring Sonny on as the team principal. Peter also admits that he forged documents to try to get APXGP banned from racing by saying their car included illegal components. Anyway, just prior to the last race, Abu Dhabi, Sonny returns to the track and is all, "Hey Ruben, you better let me back on this team because... it's the last race, you have no better option." Okay, sure! He also texts Peter a middle finger emoji. In the race, Sonny pulls all of his questionable Sonny stuff again, setting up Joshua to win the race. But, with moments left, Joshua and Lewis Hamilton collide, leaving Sonny to take the lead and win the race. Kate (Kerry Condon) is the APXGP technical director and Sonny's love interest. At the end of the movie, Kate and Sonny say goodbye to one another—for now. Sonny has some business to take care off, which is just temporarily becoming a driver for a different type of race, because it is only through driving that he can seek true euphoria. So, Kate and Sonny are a... long-distance hookup situationship? Not so romantic, but this is about the love of driving cars, man! Joshua was really put through the wringer. He ended up with Sonny as his teammate halfway through the season, was bossed around by him, was hospitalized from a serious crash, missed three races, and returned and almost won the last race only for Sonny to end up winning it instead. In the end, though, he tells Sonny that it's cool that Sonny took this one, because he's "gonna win a million races." You go, JP! Movie shoulda been all about you! To sneaky board member Peter's dismay, it seems APXGP will continue on, because they were able to win one race and having a 60-year-old former racer be the one to win it was quite the sensation! Unclear! A big deal is made about Sonny winning the final race—I mean, the movie is about him, so that's fair, and some drivers never even win one Grand Prix—but we don't get to find out which of the actual drivers won the F1 season. Max Verstappen won the last four IRL, so him, I guess! Or maybe in this fictional movie Lewis Hamilton won the championship because, conveniently, he's a producer on the movie.
Euronews
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Film of the Week: 'F1 The Movie' - in the pits with Pitt
Stop me if you've seen this one before... A talented, reckless loner who has seen better days gets coaxed out of retirement for one last ride. Along the way, he'll butt heads with a cocky whippersnapper who still has plenty to learn. And wouldn't you know it, the initial frostiness between the two hunky men melts into mutual respect, and the grouchy veteran ends up learning something too as he finally walks into the sunset, having become richer for the experience. Yeah, that's what we're working with for this Apple Original, Lewis Hamilton-produced sports film which yearns to be an old-school, high-octane celebration of Formula One. To be fair, in this respect, F1 – or should that be, F1® The Movie, for algorithmic purposes you understand - succeeds. However, as a high stakes drama featuring three dimensional characters and a decent script that isn't just an excuse for cramming in as much product placement as humanly possible and showing off quite to what extent Brad Pitt still looks like a Greek God aged 61, F1® The Movie is a broadly enjoyable but soulless blockbuster that passes the time providing you like your macho loners roguish and watching cars go vroom vroom vroooooom. You really can't fault them for trying. Following the success of Netflix's hit documentary series Formula One: Drive To Survive, making a big budget ad with a sponsors-pleasing trademark symbol in the title seems like a sure-fire way to get bums on theatre seats. But when you have a reported $300 million budget to play with, the least anyone could have done was chuck a few quid in the direction of the writer's room. In F1® The Movie, we follow how veteran driver Sonny Hayes (Pitt) is tempted back by former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem, charming as ever) to get behind the wheel of an F1 car, as a last-ditch attempt to save his flagging APXGP team from being sold by the shareholders. Along for the ride is Joshua Pearce (Damon Idris), a talented rookie in dire need of a mentor, and the team's technical director, Kate McKenna (standout Kerry Condon), who is tasked with turning the 'shitbox' car into a 'combat' machine. At least she's an age-appropriate love interest, because we all know where this leads. The team have nine races leading to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to turn it all around and show quite to what extent the world of Formula One is really terrific and not at all problematic sport like so many others, la la la we can't hear you. Director Joseph Kosinski, cinematographer Claudio Miranda and screenwriter Ehren Kruger, who previously collaborated on 2022's Top Gun: Maverick, are all reunited here to... well, do much of the same. Except this time, it's with Brad Pitt and not Tom Cruise. To their credit, Kosinski and Miranda manage to shoot cars like they did planes, and make the racing scenes immersive. By using shooting on real circuits with the full co-operation of the organisers and using new, smaller IMAX cameras that sit on the cars, this will be the closest you'll get to living the F1 experience. The Easter egg cameos from real F1 pilots like Max Verstappen and Hamilton also add an air of authenticity to the proceedings. The weak link is Kruger, whose formulaic screenplay underserves the talent and resumes itself to: macho bravado is great, and lines like: "I'm just as bad as I used to be" and 'Do we have the car?' / 'We have THE DRIVER!' Add the lazy exposition from voice-over commentators during the race ('This is not where he wants to be – last place' - oh, gee, thanks a bunch, scribe!) and there are genuinely moments when you want to wrap your lips around an exhaust pipe. But then again, this is the same Ehren Kruger who botched up Scream 3, gave us scripts for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Dark of the Moon and Age of Extinction, as well as the much-maligned live-action remake of Ghost in the Shell... So let's not act too surprised about the generic nature of this underdog sports drama. For all the F1® The Movie bashing, this crowd-pleaser isn't a bad time at the talkies. Provided you can look past the formulaic plot and the fact F1® The Movie is often half a movie and half a blatant PR exercise brimming with distracting product placement, it has its moments. Condon is great; the score by the ever-reliable Hans Zimmer is strong; some nice (if obvious) needle drops from classic rock legends Queen and Led Zeppelin sit well alongside chart-toppers RAYE, Tate McRae and Doja Cat; and again, the race scenes deliver the rubber-burning goods. If only they'd spent a bit more time and money on avoiding clichés and crafting something that feels less like an expensive corporate promo... Then the pedal could have truly been put to the metal. F1® The Movie is out in cinemas now.
USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
14 real-life F1 drivers that make cameos in F1: The Movie
The newest sports movie, F1: The Movie, hits theaters this week as Brad Pitt gets behind the wheel of one of the fastest cars on the track. Directed by Top Gun: Maverick's Joseph Kosinski, F1 tells the story of Sonny Hayes (Pitt) and his return to the sport after decades of trying to find his way in the world. As Hayes tries to navigate his new APX GP team alongside hot shot rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), challenges arrive in technical, personal and physical ways. It's a high speed look at an already dramatic sport, and Apple collaborated closely with the real-life F1 league to make it all work. That means a lot of the biggest names in the sport were in the movie as themselves. Not only was Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton in F1: The Movie, but the talented driver was also a producer. Here are some of the real-life F1 drivers that appeared as themselves in the movie: Early reviews for F1: The Movie are fantastic, with the audience score sitting at 97% on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of publish.
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
F1 Movie Review: Brad Pitt Delivers A Podium Finish In Joseph Kosinski's Compelling Drama
Last Updated: F1 Movie Review And Rating: Brad Pitt returns to the big screen as a veteran driver chasing redemption in F1, Joseph Kosinski's thrilling dive into the world of Formula 1. F1 Movie Review: In F1 movie, director Joseph Kosinski, best known for Top Gun: Maverick, takes the blistering speed and spectacle of Formula 1 and channels it into a film that's equal parts thrilling sports drama and human story of resilience. Anchored by a charismatic Brad Pitt, the movie offers a fascinating, if sometimes exaggerated, dive into the high-stakes world of motorsport. Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, once Formula 1's brightest star in the 1990s, whose career derailed after a devastating crash. Decades later, Sonny is pulled back into the paddock when the owner of APXGP, a struggling team, convinces him to race again and mentor the team's fiery rookie, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris). What follows is a tale of redemption, risk, and the stubborn pursuit of proving oneself on and off the track. The film's authenticity is one of its standout strengths. Kosinski shoots at actual Formula 1 Grands Prix, seamlessly weaving real-life race footage with dramatised sequences. Cameos from current F1 stars, including Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz, and Charles Leclerc add a thrilling dose of realism. Seeing familiar faces like F1 journalist Will Buxton conducting interviews makes the film feel almost like a behind-the-scenes documentary at times. Technically, the film tries to balance spectacle with insider detail. While the on-track sequences are exhilarating, some liberties are undeniably taken. Overtakes appear a bit too easy, dramatic pitstops feel staged (reminiscent of Ferrari's sometimes chaotic real-life strategy mishaps), and a major plot twist where Sonny deliberately crashes to trigger a safety car, thus helping his teammate pit, would be grounds for a lifetime ban in the real sport. Yet these flourishes serve the film's larger narrative purpose: showcasing Sonny not merely as a fallen star chasing his glory days, but as a selfless team player willing to sacrifice for the greater good. Brad Pitt is nothing short of magnetic. At 61, he carries himself with the swagger, focus, and quiet vulnerability of a real F1 driver. In racing gear, Pitt genuinely looks the part; his wiry frame and steely expressions mirror the intense professionalism seen in drivers like Max Verstappen or Fernando Alonso. There's even a sharp edge to Sonny's personality, reminiscent of Verstappen's no-nonsense media persona or the grizzled determination of Alonso, the grid's current elder statesman. Yet Pitt also reveals Sonny's inner fractures. The trauma from his earlier crash haunts him, surfacing in moments of panic and introspection. Whether it's arguing for soft tyres during a heated pitstop despite knowing they'll degrade quickly or grappling with the guilt of urging Joshua into risky moves, Pitt's performance feels deeply authentic. It's one of his most physically and emotionally committed roles in recent years. Kerry Condon is a quiet powerhouse as Kate, the team's technical director and the film's other compelling arc. A woman navigating the harshly male-dominated world of F1 engineering, Kate faces condescension from colleagues, ex-bosses, and even her ex-husband. Her bond with Sonny is one of the film's highlights. Two middle-aged professionals fighting to prove that time hasn't stolen their talent or relevance. Their scenes feel intimate and true, capturing the tenderness and unspoken solidarity between two people scarred by past failures but unwilling to give up. Condon's presence is significant because no woman has ever held the role of F1 technical director in real life, making her character a quietly radical inclusion. Javier Bardem brings both humour and exasperation as APXGP's embattled team owner, delivering scenes that are quirky yet emotionally grounded. Meanwhile, Damson Idris is perfectly cast as Joshua, the brash young driver intoxicated by fame and fast living. Joshua's transformation from arrogant rookie to a team player after a horrific crash at Monza provides one of the film's most affecting arcs. The Monza sequence is a turning point. In a nail-biting race, Sonny pushes Joshua to overtake Verstappen on slick tyres. The gamble ends in disaster as Joshua crashes violently, his hands burned, echoing Sonny's own tragic past. Hans Zimmer's pulse-pounding score adds to the adrenaline, swelling during high-speed chases and easing into tenderness during more intimate moments. A track by Blackpink's Rosé, unexpectedly woven into the soundtrack, gives a perfect insight into Sonny and Kate's dynamic. Kosinski's direction is sleek and kinetic, even if some scenes veer into over-the-top territory. Wheel-to-wheel battles occasionally feel too clean, and pit stops play out with theatrical flourish rather than gritty realism. Yet the film's heart is in the right place. It's a love letter to the sport's drama, danger and relentless pursuit of excellence. Whether it's as good as Top Gun: Maverick is up for debate but as one of the first truly immersive feature films centred on Formula 1, it's an earnest, exhilarating ride. Verdict: F1 races ahead as a thrilling ode to speed, sacrifice and second chances, powered by Brad Pitt's stellar performance and Kosinski's immersive vision. For F1 fans and newcomers alike, it's a cinematic podium finish.
USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Is there a post credit scene in F1: The Movie?
F1: The Movie screams into theaters this weekend, with Brad Pitt and director Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) teaming up to bring the fast-paced sport of racing to the big screen. Early returns on the film are outstanding with an 84% critics rating and a 97% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes and predictions estimating a haul of $100 million for the weekend. It's trending towards being the biggest movie opening for Apple ever. In F1: The Movie, washed up racer Sonny Hayes (Pitt) is approached by his old colleague Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem) to join his failing F1 team, APX GP. Hayes butts heads with his new teammate, up-and-coming talented rookie Joshua Pearce (the incredible Damson Idris), but the entire team has to figure out how to work together, overcome technical difficulties and find a way to win. Also starring Kerry Condon, Sarah Giles, Tobias Menzies, Kim Bodnia and an incredible supporting cast, F1: The Movie puts you in the driver's seat for all the action. So, should you stick around after the credits for a post-credit scene? There's no full post-credit scene, but we do get a mid-credit extension of Hayes joining the Baja racers. It could be leaving the door open for a potential follow-up, but at the very least it's just a little more racing.
