Courtesy Warner Bros.

Let’s get this out of the way: F1 is not just one of the best sports movies of the year—it’s one of the best movies, period. From the moment the engines rev in the opening scene to the triumphant, throttle-wide finale, this 2.5-hour cinematic joyride never stalls, sputters, or slows. If you’ve ever wondered what Top Gun would be like with wheels and European accents, look no further. F1 is the high-octane answer.

Much like the sport it celebrates, F1 starts grounded—intimate, character-driven, mechanical. But with each featured race, the cinematography accelerates into something grander, bolder, and borderline operatic. Director Joseph Kosinski (who also made Top Gun: Maverick) knows how to build momentum. By the time we’re swooping through Las Vegas and barreling down Abu Dhabi at 200mph, the visuals are so immersive, it’s like you’re strapped into the cockpit, white-knuckled and grinning. Continue reading…