F1 The Movie - Best of The Year?

The F1 movie is surprisingly incredible. I went into this expecting something reminiscent of the quality of Gran Turismo, with a few Formula 1 drivers thrown in for good measure, and I came out absolutely astounded. Do I think this is the best of the year so far? No, that award is still held by Sinners. However, this is a very close second and I wouldn't be surprised if you said this is your favourite.

This movie is incredibly fast paced and exhilarating, just like a Formula 1 race feels. Once we're thrown into the action, it never gives you a single moment to rest or breathe in the best possible way. The driving sequences are beautifully shot and so exciting to watch, feeling very reminiscent of Top Gun: Maverick's flying scenes. Kosinski clearly took a lot of inspiration from his other work, which works so well for what these scenes were trying to capture.

What really makes this movie, though, is the relationship between our two main characters, Sonny Hayes and Joshua Pearce. Without this strong relationship dynamic between the cocky newcomer and the experienced veteran, this movie simply just wouldn't be nearly as compelling. These actors had incredible chemistry and individual charisma which just made them a joy to watch on screen together.

However, one thing I would've changed within this movie - or added, I should say - would have been a small scene after Ruben hands Sonny the plane ticket. This wouldn't have been very long, just a moment of Sonny doing one random race, like Daytona at the start, and easily winning. However, this wouldn't have showcased his driving skill or technique, instead showing how uncaring and unfulfilled he is outside of F1. 

This whole movie is about Sonny finding fulfilment after feeling lost for years and, while this is done very well, I thought the addition of this simple scene could hammer this idea in a little more. Yes, some of these ideas were shown during the Daytona race at the start, but it wasn't fully delved into as it also had to juggle introducing the movie as well as Sonny's driving skills. There also wasn't any possibility of something better playing on his mind since F1 wasn't a possibility for him yet. I don't think the movie was really any worse without this addition, however I just think it would've been an interesting scene to properly give us time to see Sonny's mental state on full display and the difference between his fulfilment in F1 compared to any other race.

One big criticism I have with this movie, which is probably my biggest gripe, is the amount of product placement. It's so incredibly blatant and just becomes slightly annoying at times. Now, the Shark and Ninja advertisements on the F1 car are excusable. They would most likely be on an F1 car anyway so it just gives it slightly more realism. Where it becomes egregious, though, is when Sonny is driving through the desert near the end and the Golden Arches are perfectly in the centre of the screen, detracting all attention.

Overall, this movie is incredibly exhilarating and fun to watch, I was gripped from the moment it started to the moment it finished. I loved that we didn't see what card Sonny had in his pocket because it's completely up to interpretation. I'm loving the amount of good cinema we've been getting recently and will hopefully continue to get - mostly in July. I can't see many movies being above this and I'm predicting it'll be at least in the top five by the end of the year.