Written by Sam Clark
Certificate: 12A
Running time: 156 minutes
Director: Joseph Kosinski
During Covid when Kosinski and Tom Cruise were in the middle of making ''Top Gun: Maverick'', the film was almost dumped onto streaming as most films were at the time. This was understandable, given how people were could not return to cinemas or were too worried to, and every film studio was unsure if they were going to make money. Cruise fought tooth and nail for Maverick to have a theatrical release, as he knew fine well that a cinema was the only place it belonged, if you want any actors opinion on what makes the best cinematic experience, its him. Not only does he sacrifice his life for our pleasure and entertainment, he fights for audiences to experience films the way they should be experienced, as he is a true fan himself. He is truly one of the most impactful movie stars to have ever lived and let's not forget he's heading to space next - seriously.
He was right all along. Despite the damages that Covid caused to the cinema industry, it had also been thirty plus years since the first ''Top Gun'', so the uncertainty of whether people come back for another one or care enough reigned large. There was a battle to be fought, and that is putting it lightly, and a battle they won in spectacular fashion. When the finally came out, in the blink of an eye, everyone realized that there was just no way a film like that could ever be on streaming. It pushed the boundaries of what we perceive to be possible with cinema as they literally put IMAX cameras into jet fighters. The film went onto gross $1.4 billion at the box office and received six Oscar nominations including Best Picture. ''Top Gun: Maverick'' will go down as one of the most important and impactful films ever made and saved cinema and demonstrated what could be done, thanks to them both.
Image credit: IMDb / Warner Bros. Pictures / Apple TV
Joseph Kosinski now returns with ''F1: The Movie'', albeit under far less stressful circumstances. This yet again demonstrates and showcases why I think he is not only one of the most underrated directors currently in cinema and one of the best currently working, but one of the most underrated directors of all time. I of course do not wish to presume anything, but it does sometimes feel that he does not get the credit he deserves. For ''F1: The Movie'', he has gone above and beyond yet again. This is why we go to the cinema. This is what true, blockbuster cinema can do, and we are so lucky to get things like this.
They have shot and driven in real grand prix races, as well as placing IMAX cameras within the cars, the same as before; it's incredible. Written by Ehren Kruger who also penned ''Top Gun: Maverick'' and with a story credit from Kosinski, ''F1: The Movie'' tells the story of ''Sonny Hayes'' (Brad Pitt), a once famed and rising talent in F1 during the 90s. His career was destroyed by a near fatal accident, and thirty years later, he casually just flowing and drifting his way through life, living solemnly in his caravan.
He's driven cabs, participated in gambling and taken part in various races on the side. One day, he is approached by his old teammate ''Ruben'' (Javier Bardem) who is the owner of ''APXGP'', a team who are currently trailing in the current grand prix and are in desperate need of winning, or else they will be shut down and sold. To make matters worse, ''Ruben'' has invested $350 million dollars into the team. ''Sonny'' is offered the chance to train and mentor ''Joshua Pearce'' (Damson Idris) who is a young driver chasing fame and success. We also have ''Kate Mckenna'' (Kerry Condon) who is the team's technical director and the one responsible for building the cars, who strikes a romantic connection with Pitt. Its now or never to emerge victorious, or else they are finished.
Image credit: IMDb / Warner Bros. Pictures / Apple TV
At times, it does border on parody how much of a blatant marketing product ''F1: The Movie'' is, and whether it needs to exist or not. There is much more of a story here than you may think or than I expected, and I did go with it. With a staggering 156 minute running time (something like this should really be lo longer than 2 hours), you can at least tell the film does have some confidence in what story it has got. At the end of the day, it can't just all be racing. It is the typical old, wounded bear being dragged out of retirement for one last gig type of deal, and he must deal with and butt heads with the cocky rookie. Yes, we've seen that before but you have to manage your expectation in terms of what this will give you. Pitt's performance is actually rather odd.
He is very, very, very calm and laid back. So much so in fact, that he knows his charm, charisma and good looks is enough to carry a film. He knows he's one of the biggest Hollywood stars of all time and just relaxes into the role. Most actors only dream of being able to do that and it is a superpower.
The narrative thread that the film settles on is really the only one it can get away with, very few options would work here and it knows it. However, its surprising how well it succeeds and I was thoroughly satisfied with how emotionally engaged I felt. Everyone going into ''F1: The Movie'' will be going in for the same reason they did for ''Top Gun: Maverick'', pure cinematic enjoyment. What is different this time around is the added baggage of (what I imagine) will be many, many, many fans of F1 eager to see how they've done this. I must disclaim that I am not an avid viewer or possess any knowledge of F1, and so I cannot critique it from this angle and will leave it to the professionals.
Image credit: IMDb / Warner Bros. Pictures / Apple TV
But what I can say is that the racing sequences (the main selling point of the film) are absolutely breathtaking and extraordinary, and its evident (visually) this is from the director of ''Top Gun: Maverick'' as it is quite literally ''Top Gun'' with cars - although that was technically ''Days of Thunder'', but is not in the same ball park. Whilst Cruise played a huge part before, Kosinski is the proper star of the show here and the driving force as well as cinematographer Claudio Miranda (who also shot ''Maverick'').
This is made by someone who knows exactly how to set your heart racing and knows how to direct, execute and orchestrate masterful spectacle. It also seems like Formula 1 is the only thing suitable and logical enough for the director of ''Top Gun: Maverick'' to do next. Something that is this big and challenging is perfect, anything calmer or quieter would have been an insult. Given the circumstances, it is a tricky decision on what format to see this in (I know, first world problems), IMAX or 4DX; each with their own advantages. On this rare occasion, I chose something other than IMAX, and I don't regret it one bit.
Image credit: IMDb / Warner Bros. Pictures / Apple TV
I was glad I experienced ''Top Gun: Maverick'' in IMAX as that demanded to be seen on the biggest screen possible with all of the flying (far bigger than what 4DX offers) and was a considerably more significant event (although anything dealing with flight is automatically tailor made for the 4DX one would assume). Coincidentally, both of these have been shot with IMAX cameras. For me, I did not seem to be as bothered or dead set as before and not as committed to just one format, but if I were to give my two cents, I personally enjoyed the 4DX on this one. It is one of the best times I have had it doing it, although nothing will ever be able to replicate the absolute absurdity of ''Twisters'', although this does still throw around for two and a half hours and it may be a big ask, but I assure you it's worth it. Hans Zimmer delivers yet another stellar score too and the songs featured in the film are are as energetic as they should be.
I have been a big fan of Joseph Kosinski for years (''Only The Brave'' is one of my favourite films of all time and I believe ''Tron: Legacy'' is one of the most underrated films in cinematic history), and he is one of the best blockbuster cinema filmmakers going. He knows how to deliver popcorn entertainment to audiences, like Cruise (which is why they work so well together). When ''Maverick'' came out, yes, Tom Cruise was a primary factor in it's success and notability, but who was it that actually directed the film and directed him? I would love to see him become a household name in the future.
When it comes to attempting to push the boundaries of cinematic spectacle and experience, it now looks like (and has done before) that Joseph Kosinski is one of the go to guys. This isn't ''Top Gun'', but very few will ever be like that again. This does make me exhilarated but also terrified to see we see what Tom Cruise's space film turns out to be like as there is no where to go up from there. Here, Kosinski he has done it yet again and I cannot wait to see what he does next.
In cinemas now
