Film Name: F1：狂飙飞车 / F1: The Movie
Yesterday, I went to see the IMAX version of “F1: The Movie” (hereinafter referred to as “F1”) and thoroughly enjoyed it!
With top-notch production quality, a rich audiovisual experience, a classic plot structure, and a focused narrative style, it is no exaggeration to say that this is the best Hollywood blockbuster so far this year—those coming out after the summer season will have their work cut out for them.
Perhaps due to the creative barriers inherent in the genre, racing-themed films often produce quality works. Notable recent examples include “Rush” and “Ford v Ferrari,” while “Need for Speed” and “Gran Turismo,” though slightly less acclaimed, are still worth watching. The Chinese film series “Pegasus” has also introduced more people to the appeal of this genre.
“F1” is quite different from the aforementioned racing films. It is not a biography, does not focus on rivalries, does not take an unconventional approach, nor does it dwell on regrets: it remains focused on the present and the future. That vibrant energy and passion give the film a unique spirit.
[Friendly reminder: The following text contains spoilers.]
Before discussing this film, it is worth mentioning its production background: the film’s producer is Lewis Hamilton, the reigning seven-time world champion, and Apple, the wealthy backer, has developed a specialized camera technology specifically for filming F1 movies.
Thanks to its advantages in terms of connections, financial resources, and media exposure, “F1” comes remarkably close to the real-life Formula 1 World Championship in terms of authenticity and professionalism. Fans of F1 will also be able to spot real-life appearances or named cameos from drivers like Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, George Russell, Charles Leclerc, and Zhou Guanyu.
Since I am just a regular movie fan and not a racing enthusiast, I will not elaborate further.
The immersive “racing sensation” and the professionally assured quality are among the film’s core strengths.
Take the numerous racing scenes in the film as an example: the film breaks away from the traditional format of simply switching between first-person perspectives and close-ups/long shots, adopting a more diverse range of angles and focuses to achieve an unprecedented richness in perspective.
Meanwhile, new filming techniques better capture details during high-speed driving, such as body vibrations and airflow, all of which are crystal clear.
High frame rate, high resolution, and advanced image processing capabilities, combined with the presentation on a full-frame large screen, make “F1” one of the few films I would recommend watching in IMAX (many films that meet this standard simply enlarge the image).
Unlike real F1 races, movies are ultimately a visual and auditory art form. “F1” plays to its strengths and avoids its weaknesses, highlighting the ever-changing drama and fleeting highlights of the race track, including interactions between characters inside and outside the venue, spontaneous tactical collaborations, and close-ups that are unrealistic but uniquely cinematic.
Combined with Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack, which isn’t particularly catchy but is solid and fitting, “F1” offers top-notch viewing pleasure.
Whether you’re a racing fan or not, and regardless of your interest in racing themes, I believe that the visuals created by “F1” with its combination of money and professionalism will captivate your eyes.
Having expressed my admiration for the film’s technical prowess, let’s now discuss the story and characters that many people are more interested in.
Freelance driver Sonny Hayes, who’s fallen on hard times, gets an invitation from his former teammate Ruben Cervantes to join the “Speed Demon” team, which is at the bottom of the F1 standings, and team up with rookie driver Joshua Pierce to write a new legend. Just hearing this introduction, you can tell how traditional the story of “F1” is. a typical “return of the king + old-and-young pairing + underdog victory” formula.
Indeed, any classic plot device you can think of is present in the film, so I won’t dwell on those. Instead, I’ll focus on what feels fresh.
Unlike most protagonists in similar stories, although Sonny also experienced the tragic journey of “rising to the peak and then falling,” the impression he gives is not simply one of cynicism, self-destruction, or dwelling on the past. Instead, he comes across as a strong individual who gets back up immediately after falling, always maintaining a strong drive and desire to win.
In other words, Sonny Hayes’ character seems somewhat contradictory: on one hand, he embodies the world-weariness, experience, and depth of a middle-aged driver, yet on the other, he possesses the reckless vigor and infectious enthusiasm of a young upstart.
Take the Speed Demon Racing Team, for example. Before Ruben recruited Sonny, this bottom-of-the-table team was lazy and lacked motivation, with a defeatist attitude. The top driver was thinking of jumping ship, the team leader was playing around on the race car with his child, the technical director was just going through the motions, and even the young women in the maintenance crew were careless and irresponsible…
However, as Sonny repeatedly defied orders, ignored conventional wisdom, and pursued breakthroughs, the team began to change. Everyone started wanting to improve, wanting to win, and wanting to be better. Their inherent professionalism and desire for victory were reignited. The best evidence of this was that more and more people started running with Sonny, and the entire team’s demeanor was completely transformed.
Sunny’s complex and multifaceted character design complements Brad Pitt’s rogue persona while also subverting his relationship with Joshua.
There is no “dual hero” setup between Sonny and Joshua, and Joshua does not have much positive influence or impact on Sonny—from start to finish, it is almost entirely Sonny who educates and guides Joshua. The former acknowledges the latter’s talent and potential, willingly taking a supporting role, while the latter spends a lot of time understanding the former’s good intentions, ultimately forming a balanced dynamic with a clear hierarchy but no fixed roles.
Additionally, I greatly appreciate the film’s narrative focus and concentration, with all subplots and pacing adjustments revolving around the racing.
For example, Kate’s character and her interactions with Sunny. As a female technical director who switched from Lockheed Corporation to the racing team to study aerodynamics, she could have had many “more trendy” subplots, but the film only mentioned her background briefly and then focused entirely on her professional work.
The same applies to Kate and Sunny’s interactions. While they both desire each other, any discussions of personal matters are preceded by conversations about modifying the race car. Even in Las Vegas, before and after they sleep together, they are addressing issues of driver unity and sharing their initial motivations and aspirations for their careers—perhaps because focus is inherently more appealing?
This unwavering commitment to the story’s theme ensures the narrative remains tightly focused, leaving no room for dull moments or unnecessary scenes.
Finally, I’d like to elaborate on the attitude toward competitive sports that I admire in “F1,” which is the timeless yet ever-relevant theme of “passion.”
Sonny once fell into despair, but he quickly returned to the track. It didn’t matter what level or type of race it was—as long as he could drive a race car, because only in the high-speed pursuit of pushing human limits could he enter a state of quiet, self-forgetful flow.
I think this is also why racing films (and all sports-themed films) often have a high standard: their pursuit and passion are tangible, and their lyrical expressions and testimonials are clear and explicit.
What you love is your life.
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