You don’t have to be a hardcore Formula One fan to enjoy “F1”, the latest big budget blockbuster from director Joseph Kosinski. In fact, you could say “F1” uses car racing much like “Top Gun” used flying fighter planes. And much like “Top Gun”, Kosinski’s film features its own perfectly cast A-lister who brings some notable star wattage to an already brilliant movie.

There’s no denying that “F1” sticks close to a tried and true blockbuster formula. But who cares when it’s executed this flawlessly? Kosinski directs with such energy and confidence. And while the script may hit some familiar dramatic beats, screenwriter Ehren Kruger fully immerses us in the world of Formula One Racing. He does so while creating compelling characters and dodging many of the usual pitfalls that can come with sports related movies.

Much of the film’s success starts with its star, Brad Pitt. Bursting with charisma and personality, Pitt gives a terrific performance playing a race-car driver named Sonny Hayes. Sonny once had a bright future as a young driver in Formula One. But his reckless reputation and a nasty wreck ended his once promising F1 run. That was three decades ago. Since then, Sonny has been driving cars in a number of smaller circuits.

After winning an IMSA series race, Sonny is visited by his old friend and former teammate, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem). Ruben owns a struggling Formula team called APX Grand Prix. As they enter the second half of the season, APX hasn’t scored a single point. And with only nine races left, Ruben needs a win or he could potentially lose his team. He recently lost his best driver, and his #2 is an extremely talented yet inexperienced and immature rookie named Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) who could use a little guidance.

A desperate Ruben offers Sonny a seat on his Formula One team – an offer which Sonny initially turns down but ultimately accepts. But he’s greeted with skepticism from a Ruben’s established yet frustrated team, especially young Pearce who’s determined to be the team’s new #1 driver. With the prospect of losing their jobs looming over them, the APX team is forced to hang their hats on a driver some say is over the hill and washed up.

“F1” has numerous things going for it starting with the exhilarating racing scenes. Everything from the cinematography, editing, and sound design adds to the electricity. Even Hans Zimmer’s pulse-pounding score feeds the white-knuckle energy that can be felt in every rev of the engine, every pop of the exhaust, and every screech of a tire. It’s especially kinetic on the big screen which is where everyone should watch it.

The collection of characters add to the fun starting with Pitt, whose effortless charm and old-fashioned star power has a Paul Newman-like draw. Idris is a good foil, playing a character who proves to be more than some shallow hothead. Bardem fits nicely as an antsy team owner while Academy Award nominee Kerry Condon gets a good role as the team’s technical director and Sonny’s potential love interest. And since the film was shot during the 2023 and 2024 F1 seasons, a number of real-life drivers, team owners, and commentators make appearances.

“F1” is an impressively balanced feature that will appeal to every audience. Whether you’re a die-hard Formula One fan or an uninitiated newbie (like me), Kosinski’s throwback summer spectacle taps into what makes going to the theater special. While it’s hard to call its story original, it is consistently entertaining, from its propulsive start to its satisfying finish. And having Brad Pitt in his charismatic groove is the icing on the cake. “F1” is in theaters now.

VERDICT – 4.5 STARS