There’s only a handful of blockbusters this summer with the potential to deliver non-IP thrills, and this is certainly one of them.
Warner Bros. and Apple are feeling bullish on Joseph Kosinski’s “F1”—so much so that they screened the film early for select press and lifted the social media embargo a full three weeks before release. That kind of move usually signals extreme confidence, and based on the first wave of reactions, albeit, to a very small sampling, it might be justified.
Critics are praising its blend of “old-school” blockbuster DNA with modern cinematic muscle. Brad Pitt and Damson Idris are earning high marks for their performances, but what’s really getting attention is the film’s technical craftsmanship—from Claudio Miranda’s immersive cinematography and the kinetic editing to the propulsive sound design and soundtrack.
The racing sequences, in particular, are being described as “edge-of-your-seat exhilarating”—not unlike the way “Top Gun: Maverick” put audiences in the cockpit. F1 seems to be aiming for that same level of spectacle-driven intensity.
“F1,” which clocks in at an ambitious 155 minutes, has a reported budget of $300M, largely due to shooting delays during the strikes.
The film stars Brad Pitt as a retired Formula One driver who returns to the sport to mentor a rising star, played by Damson Idris. Kerry Condon and Tobias Menzies also feature in the cast. As Pitt’s character teams up with his protégé, he takes one last shot at racing glory.
