#SHOWBIZ: A roaring spectacle that demands a grandstand view

New Straits Times

10-07-2025

IN the cacophony of cinematic releases, where every other film promises "unforgettable action" and "heart-stopping thrills", few truly deliver on the tarmac where it matters most.
But then, ladies and gentlemen, we have 'F1', a motion picture that doesn't just promise – it delivers a visceral, high-octane experience that will leave your senses buzzing like a finely-tuned engine after a pole position lap.
Having just witnessed this celluloid marvel, the consensus is as clear as a pit crew's strategy: this film is not just good, it's a cinematic event demanding the grandest screen you can find.
Forget your cozy living room sofa; this is a spectacle tailor-made for the cavernous embrace of the cinema hall, particularly if an IMAX screen is within your reach.
The roaring engines, the blur of speed, the sheer audacity of the action sequences – they truly transform from mere visuals into a full-body experience that rattles your very core.
Now, let's talk brass tacks. Does the storyline reinvent the wheel? Perhaps not. We're in familiar territory here, a well-trodden path of the seasoned veteran – in this case, Brad Pitt's Sonny Hayes – making a glorious, improbable return to the cutthroat world of Formula 1.
It's an underdog tale, certainly, and one that leans on the classic mentor-mentee dynamic, which at times feels as predictable as a safety car deployment.
There are moments when the narrative gears grind a little, particularly when the dialogue feels a touch too polished for the grease-stained reality of the paddock.
Yet, despite its formulaic chassis, the story is propelled by an earnest enthusiasm that keeps you invested in racing team APXGP's unlikely pursuit of glory.
But where 'F1' truly accelerates past the competition is in its action scenes. Oh, what a glorious symphony of speed, precision, and raw power!
Director Joseph Kosinski, having honed his craft in the skies with 'Top Gun: Maverick', brings that same groundbreaking realism and immersive kinetic energy to the asphalt.
The camera work is nothing short of revolutionary, plunging you right into the cockpit, making you feel every G-force, every near-miss, every breath-holding overtake.
These aren't just special effects; they are a seamless, mind-bending fusion of practical wizardry and digital finesse that make the fictional APXGP cars feel indistinguishably real amidst genuine F1 footage.
This is where 'F1' earns its stripes, delivering an adrenaline rush that's as potent as a perfectly executed pit stop. The pacing of the film is akin to an F1 race itself – bursts of exhilarating, heart-pounding speed interspersed with moments of strategic calm.
The race sequences are a relentless onslaught of excitement, maintaining a fever pitch that will have you gripping your seat. Between these spectacular high-speed duels, the film understandably shifts down a gear to focus on the human drama.
While these moments occasionally feel like a slight lull after the preceding sensory overload, they are necessary pit stops for character development, however brief.
And then 'the acting. Brad Pitt, in a role perfectly tailored for his seasoned charm, delivers a performance that anchors the film with a characteristic blend of charisma and gravitas.
His effortless portrayal of Sonny Hayes provides a much-needed human touch amidst the metal and mechanics.
Damson Idris, as his protégé, holds his own, adding a youthful spark, and the genuine cameos from real F1 personalities only enhance the film's authentic flavour, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
In conclusion, while the narrative may not redefine the genre, 'F1' transcends its predictable framework through sheer, unadulterated spectacle. This is a film that was made to be experienced on the largest screen imaginable, a testament to the power of cinema to transport and thrill.
So, if you're craving an electrifying escape, a roaring good time that leaves you breathless and exhilarated, then rev your engines and make a beeline for the nearest cinema.
'F1' isn't just a movie; it's a grand prix for your senses, and it's well worth the ticket.
F1 THE MOVIE
STARRING Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Javier Bardem
DURATION: 156 mins
CLASSIFICATION: 13