'F1' Onscreen: Critics Weigh In on Brad Pitt's Racing Blockbuster
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
With less than a week left for the release of the Formula One-based movie, F1, fan excitement is at an all-time high, with many awaiting a glimpse of what they could expect.
Thanks to the press screenings for critics and audiences before the movie's release on June 25 (June 27 for North America), fans can now walk into the theaters knowing what to expect. F1's recent star-studded premiere in New York saw Formula One drivers, team principals, Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, and the crew make headlines with their appearances. However, what matters next are the reviews.
IGN
Starting with IGN, critic Clint Cage said that F1 has elevated the standard of sports movies. He said:
"As a sports movie following some pretty tried and true tactics, F1 ups its game at every stage of things. This won't win it any awards for originality, but it still adds up to a real win."
Brad Pitt, star of the upcoming Formula One based movie, Apex, and Damson Idris, co-star of the upcoming Formula One based movie, Apex, walk on the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain...
Brad Pitt, star of the upcoming Formula One based movie, Apex, and Damson Idris, co-star of the upcoming Formula One based movie, Apex, walk on the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 09, 2023 in Northampton, England. MoreAddressing the work of Director Joseph Kosinski, he added:
"On a technical level, F1 is impeccably put together. Kosinski and his frequent collaborator, Academy Award winning cinematographer Claudio Miranda, put cameras in just... all the places. Picking up where they left off with Top Gun: Maverick, F1 is filled with impossible angles and quick, robotic pans that make us feel like we're at the mercy of these rocketship machines"
F1 aims to showcase the premier class of motorsport to a wider audience in an authentic way, and IGN's review hints it has achieved that goal. Cage added:
"There's a deep cultural familiarity with what a Formula One race is supposed to look like onscreen. F1: The Movie gets that too. One shot puts you intimately and dangerously into the driver's seat while the next feels broadcast-worthy.
"The editing does the same as well, thanks to Stephen Mirrione, another member of the pit crew with an Oscar in the garage. F1 is cut beautifully and peacefully in stretches, chaotically and nervously in others."
He added:
"All the pieces that you'd expect are there - and, again, plussing up the 'familiar' is the best thing Kosinski and his crew have done with F1. They've built a super-charged vehicle that can outdo the competition on almost every level - give or take a two-and-a-half-hour-plus runtime."
Rotten Tomatoes
With a score of 88% on the Tomatometer, F1 seems to have made its mark. Here are a few reviews by critics:
Samuel Leggett Jr. stated: "It has it all, amazing camera work, astonishing racing scenes and locations, a great cast, & electric chemistry from Idris and Pitt! This film is truly one of the best films this year & one of the best racing films of all time. Will leave you breathless!"
Doug Jamieson wrote: "Visually, it's undeniably impressive. But strip away the carbon fibre, and what remains is a movie filled with clichés, weak character arcs, and a script that strains to be inspirational while instead delivering a lot of empty noise."
Stephanie Zacharek stated: "Brad Pitt, at 61, has finally aged into roles like these. And sometimes, as F1 proves, they're the best thing that can happen to a guy."
BBC
Nicholas Barber of the BBC described F1 as "the slick and shiny new summer popcorn film." However, he pointed out that "the biggest issue with F1, though, is not its insistence on showing its leading man in a flattering light, but its equivalent, fawning attitude towards Formula One itself."
Comparing Kosinski's work on Top Gun: Maverick, he added:
"While Top Gun: Maverick was a masterpiece that pulled viewers into events in and out of the cockpit, F1 is simply a competently assembled collection of underdog sports-drama clichés. It never convinces you that its protagonists are human beings, and never persuades you that Ruben's team are more worthy of support than their competitors. I was more invested in the podrace in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace than any of the races here."
Rating F1 two out of five stars, Barber said the movie is best-suited for F1 fans. He concluded:
"Making a film about a series of long races just wasn't a bright idea. Formula One enthusiasts may disagree, and they may be delighted that their beloved motorsport has been put on the big screen in such a laudatory fashion. Everyone else: this is not where you want to be."
Attractions Magazine
Connor Webber of Attractions Magazine has praised F1, likening it to Kosinski's work on Top Gun: Maverick. He stated:
"What the 'F1: The Movie' team was able to accomplish with the camera work and editing is unreal. My heart dropped watching the camera move while the car is racing at 200 mph. There are no punches thrown in this film, but it has some of the best action in any movie this year."
Awarding F1 with a score of 4.5/5, he added:
"Just like 'Top Gun: Maverick,' 'F1: The Movie' never forgets the human element: the heart, the relationships that make the spectacle matter. The performances here aren't just passengers in the ride - they steer it (hehe)."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wall Street Journal
an hour ago
- Wall Street Journal
Arts Calendar: Happenings for the Week of June 22
• 'F1: The Movie' (June 27): In the new film from 'Top Gun: Maverick' director Joseph Kosinski, Brad Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 phenom whose career was cut short by an accident. After a 30-year hiatus, Hayes returns to the asphalt to mentor rookie driver Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) and confront his own complicated past. • 'M3GAN 2.0' (June 27): M3GAN, the titular killer-robot introduced in the 2022 feature, returns to theaters with a new mission. Resurrected by her original creator, Gemma (Allison Williams), the artificially intelligent doll must defeat Amelia, a military-grade weapon whose growing self-awareness and decreasing interest in taking orders cause concern.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Signs Your Baby Is Highly Sensitive, According to a Child Psychologist
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A TikTok video of a baby crying during a song from The Little Mermaid has sparked heartwarming discussion online about highly sensitive children. In the video, Allie, the baby's aunt, filmed the moment her niece swelled with emotion in accordance with the Disney song. Many viewers in the comments speculated that the baby might be experiencing "frisson"—a French term for the physical chills some people get when emotionally moved by music. But could this be something else entirely? Newsweek spoke to Allie, 32, along with a child psychologist to better understand the adorable phenomenon. Allie said that she has seen her niece, Eleanor, have such a strong response to music has been incredible to witness—and started early. Photos from Allie's TikTok video of her baby niece. Photos from Allie's TikTok video of her baby niece. @alliemorganb/TikTok "[It] has been so precious because it's such raw emotion coming out that she obviously can't control, and shows what a tender heart she has," Allie explained. "She has been reacting this way to certain songs since she was six months old." The first time Eleanor showed this emotional response was when her dad was singing Faithfully by Journey around the house. At first, he thought she might be fussy, but after he sat down and continued singing, Eleanor continued to get emotional at certain parts of the song, Allie said. Eleanor's deep emotional sensitivity to music shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, though—her family is filled with musicians and singers. Allie went on to say that Eleanor is the first grandchild in her family. "She has such an infectious and happy personality and is so affectionate to those close to her," she said. "So, to see this happy baby get so moved by music is the most heartwarming thing, but not a big surprise considering our family is very into music." Three Signs Your Baby Might Be Sensitive While many TikTok commenters suggested that Eleanor might be experiencing "frisson," Dr. Kanchi Wijesekera, a clinical child psychologist and founder of Milika Center for Therapy & Resilience, offered Newsweek a different perspective. "The term 'frisson' isn't a clinical term," she said. "There is no evidence confirming that infants can experience frisson in the way adults do." Instead, Dr. Wijesekera believes that Eleanor's emotional response is likely tied to sensory processing and emotional recognition. "What's likely being observed is a combination of sensory processing and emotional recognition," she explained. She also pointed to Dr. Elaine Aron's research on highly sensitive children. Although Aron's studies focused on toddlers and older children, Dr. Wijesekera said that early emotional reactions to music could be an early indicator of emotional sensitivity in infants. She explained three signs that your baby might be more emotionally sensitive: Strong reactions to music or art: "If your baby calms or cries in response to music or expressive faces, it may reflect early emotional attunement. This is not the same as frisson, but it's a sign they're taking in the emotional tone of their environment." Heightened awareness of environment: "Babies who startle easily at loud sounds, track visual stimuli, or seem observant may be more sensitive to sensory and emotional cues." Emotional contagion: "If your baby mirrors your mood or becomes distressed when others are upset, it suggests early empathy, a skill for emotional intelligence." Dr. Wijesekera also suggests that parents and caregivers can support their baby's emotional sensitivity by creating gentle environments that respect the child's need for calm and soothing stimuli. While Eleanor might not be experiencing "frisson" in the scientific sense, her reaction is an adorable reminder that emotional sensitivity can emerge very early in life. Allie concluded, "It could be [frisson], or she could just be more sensitive to music than average, but we will keep an eye out for that as she grows up."
Boston Globe
3 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Free Boston events: Roxbury film fest, roller disco, boxing lessons
Free events READ IT & WEEP This years' Roxbury International Film Festival began last Thursday, inaugurating a new cohort of independent filmmakers of color. Screenings are taking place in and around Roxbury, but for those who can't make it to an in-person event, online script readings will happen over Zoom all week. Beginning Monday, playwright Louis Johnson, will lead a dramatization of his script 'Divided,' centering a biracial couple's experiences amid their nation's race war. Through Friday, tune in for live table reads featuring works by writers including Brandice Peltier, Kareem Nemley, Kenyatta Hoskins, Heather Gibson, and Kaili Y. Turner. June 23-27, noon. Register for Zoom link at WET & WILD COLORS For newbie artists, watercolor painting can be a forgiving (or torturous) practice. To master the technique, beginners can attend a free watercolor workshop at the Lyrik multiplex in Back Bay. On Monday, Boston-based artist June 25, 4-7 p.m. Lyrik Courtyard, 400 Newbury St. Advertisement ONE STEP, TWO STEPS Even some of the biggest salsa fans don't know how to appreciate the genre through the art of dance. Plus, let's face it, salsa classes can get expensive. The June 25, 6-8 p.m. 142 Mystic Ave., Medford. Advertisement Cambridge Crossing brings local artists to the Common at CX stage for summer nights full of music and community bonding. Cambridge Crossing LIVE SUMMER VIBES The Common at CX will be hosting three live music events this summer, kicking off this Thursday with rock band Copilot, whom you might have seen at this year's Boston Calling, and soul-pop singer-songwriter Jill McCracken. The monthly series features free live performances, with July and August's events featuring co-headliners Zola Simone and Rijah, two soloists from the Northeast, and Boston-based performers Hill House and Tori Tori, respectively. June 26, 5:30-8:30 p.m. The Common at CX, Cambridge Crossing, 320 Morgan Ave., Cambridge. I FEEL LOVE Local legend and 'Queen of Disco' Donna Summer will reign supreme again at the city's 11th Annual Celebration of Summer. City Hall Plaza will be transformed as a retro roller rink with colorful lights, disco balls, and '70s hits courtesy of DJ Vince1. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own skates, groovy attire, and best dance moves. June 27, 5-9 p.m. 1 City Hall Square. Rumble Boxing will be giving a free pop-up boxing class at Faneuil Hall. India DuBois ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES A sweat-inducing, heartbeat-raising workout is a great way to channel your inner power. Stop by Faneuil Hall for a free class with Rumble Boxing. The 45-minute class will take participants — whether beginners or experienced — through the basics of the combat sport and provide a high-energy workout, no equipment required. June 28, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, South Plaza. Advertisement LET'S ROCK 'N' ROLL It's never too late to learn something new, and the School of Rock aims to lead by example with its upcoming student showcase at Arts at the Armory. The event will spotlight adult students from the Waltham location, whose four months of courses culminate with a free, open-to-the-public concert. Expect a rock concert of headbangers performed by 9-5ers who learned to channel their musical passions into lively performances. June 29, 6-10 p.m. 191 Highland Ave., #1C, Somerville. Deals & steals BOOZY HAPPY MEAL Hungry brunchers and lunchers can stop by coastal Mexico-inspired Citrus & Salt in the Seaport for an $18 lunch deal. The flat rate includes an entrée, side, and margarita with options ranging from beef birria tacos to elote corn salad. Weekdays, noon -3 p.m. $18. 319 A St. Marianna Orozco can be reached at
