The Stream: The plot is very generic.

The Big Screen: Brad Pitt and exciting car races.

The Final Bill: A generic racing movie benefits from the charms of its star and really tense and exciting car races.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Writers: Ehren Kruger; story by Joseph Kosinski and Ehren Kruger
Stars: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Sarah Niles
Genre: Action, Drama, Sport
Rating: PG-13 for strong language and action
Runtime: 2 hours 27 minutes
Production Companies: Apple Original Films, Warner Bros., Monolith Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Plan B Entertainment, Dawn Apollo Films
Platform: In theaters June 27, 2025
Notable Trailers: The Smashing Machine, Nobody 2, Superman, Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, The Conjuring: Last Rites

Hey, Streamers! I don’t know about you, but it feels like this summer movie season has been lacking in high octane blockbusters. I guess Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning would count, but that was weeks ago. If you’re looking for a sports action flick to get your heart pumping, you can’t go wrong with something set at a racetrack. The new release this weekend, F1: The Movie, may satisfy your need for speed. In this movie, Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), an aging, semi-retired racecar driver, gets recruited by Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem) to join his Formula One team, APXGP. Hayes will join the rookie driver, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), as they attempt to salvage the season for APXGP. Hayes and Pearce butt heads as their divergent styles of racing clash despite their common goal for APXGP to win. Racing cliches and inevitable fiery crash hijinks ensue.

F1: The Movie could have been titled “Generic Brad Pitt Racing Movie” because there is really very little development of plot, story or character beyond those broad strokes. Remember Gran Turismo from 2023? Take the videogame aspect out of that movie, add in Brad Pitt, and you’ve basically got the same movie. Every beat you expect to happen in this movie happens. There are no swerves or surprises when it comes to the story. There is even a perfunctory romance thrown in because that’s what happens in these movies even though it is completely unnecessary. Also, these characters are created with only basic signposts: the maverick old racecar driver coming back for one last shot, the hotshot newbie who wants to be number one, and the woman who is around because there needs to be a woman. It’s too bad that Ehren Kruger didn’t add any spice or nuance to the well-worn territory of car racing in movies.

Despite all of the complaints about the generic and cliched plot, the technical aspects of this movie overcome all of that. While this movie is nearly two and half hours long, it moves at such a fast pace that you barely notice the time going by. It seems like the movie goes from race to race with little downtime in between, which might explain the lack of character development. Let’s face it – the races are the reason to see this movie. They are shot like you are in the middle of the action. The cinematography is top notch. These racing scenes are successful at building tension even if you know the outcome. The sound, editing and music are so good that you’ll be pulled in as if you are in the stands at the race itself. On top of that, Brad Pitt brings his considerable charms to his character. You’ll root for Sonny’s success even if you believe it is inevitable. I can imagine that seeing this movie in IMAX is awe-inspiring.

Ultimately, F1: The Movie is an exciting racing movie despite its very basic plot. This movie coasts by on the charms of Brad Pitt and its flashy cinematography and editing. The racing scenes harness the tension that the story otherwise fails to build. Luckily, those racing scenes are the majority of this movie and that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Yes, F1 is the kind of movie that deserves to be seen on a big screen, so grab your big box of popcorn and buckle up.