REVIEW: F1

4/5

Days Of Thunder

156 Mins. Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Kim Bodnia, Tobias Menzies, Shea Whigham & Javier Bardem. Screenplay: Ehren Kruger. Director: Joseph Kosinski. In: Theatres.

Exhilarating every emotion and firing on all cinematic cylinders, 'F1' does more than 'Drive To Survive', like its Netflix docuseries. This official movie, filmed during actual races, takes pole position when it comes to racing movies of recent championship calendars. In the golden era of sports movies, especially biopics, we're talking about James Mangold's 'Ford V Ferrari' starring Christian Bale and Matt Damon, Michael Mann's 'Ferrari' with Adam Driver as Enzo, and Daniel Brühl's Niki Lauder versus Chris Hemsworth's James Hunt in Ron Howard's 'Rush'. This, however, is an old-school classic like Tom Cruise's 'Days Of Thunder' (ready for a reunion?) with that film's director Jerry Bruckheimer as the team's principal executive producer. A true throwback, from 'Maverick', 'Top Gun' sequel director Joseph Kosinski ('Tron: Legacy', 'Oblivion') taking the blockbuster director's championship with Brad Pitt in full Steve McQueen, leading man in his legend, mode. Now I know why my pops is such a fan of F1.

Pitt should do anything but stop when it comes to his recent run. Still at it at 60, after the Oscar, we've had the amazingly cerebral 'Ad Astra', 'Bullet Train' (they call him "Bra Pi" here in Japan), 'Babylon', and an 'Oceans' reunion with George Clooney for 'Wolfs'. But none hit the core harder than this Apple Original Film, amongst his many Plan B production credits (the mesmerizing 'Minari and astonishing 'Adolescence') and countless classic cameos (we really shouldn't say, but it's one of the best running jokes in Hollywood). The 'Se7en', 'Fight Club' and 'Interview With A Vampire' star could start another curious case of an 'Inglourious Basterds', 'World War Z' and 'Fury' run off of this. Bringing to bat some of his 'Moneyball' experience, and the trailer park loneliness of his Academy Award-winning 'Once Upon A Time...In Hollywood'. He plays a former Formula One young stud who's just looking for a drive after an early career exit. Bouncing rubber balls like 'Rocky', stickered headphones akin to a touring guitar case helping him escape from a world that should have been his, holding all the cards.

He thought he was out, but then team owner and former teammate Javier Bardem pulls him back in. The iconic 'No Country For Old Men' star and James Bond villain ('Skyfall') feels back after his recent run in Denis Villeneuve's 'Dune' trilogy with Timothée Chalamet. And his set-up, from teaser trailer, to launderette and restaurant would even convince me that I could win a Formula 1 race, and I shamefully can't even drive. Bardem's phenomenal rook, Damson Idris, is the real one to steal the show, though. You only have to hear the talent talk about his role on John Singleton's 'Snowfall', on Maverick Carter and LeBron James' 'The Shop' to see that confidence isn't an issue with this young man. Expect some hallmark Hollywood tropes and tricks to show him some humility, though, as his Joshua Pearce and Pitt's Sonny Hayes clash on the tracks and behind the scenes for their APXGP team that will convince you they're real. One point, hilariously, over drinks and cards in Sin City. Dealt perfectly by Kerry Condon ('Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri', 'The Banshees Of Inisherin') as team technical director, trying to lasso Pitt's cowboy tactics that make this motorsport so tense and thrilling on-screen.

'Killing Eve' star Kim Bodnia, 'The Crown's' Tobias Menzies and Shea Whigham (fresh off the 'Reckoning' saga of 'Mission: Impossible') also appear, alongside cameos from almost every driver and car on the circuit. Especially Lewis Hamilton, who helped fuel this passion project penned by Ehren Kruger ('The Ring' and 'Transformers' franchises). One that feels like a big, bolstered blockbuster, all the way down to the tracks scored and scorched by legend Hans Zimmer for these frames. Rocking you like the Queen and Fleetwood Mac soundtrack. But from IMAX fireworks in 24 hours of Daytona, to a Radio City Music Hall live in New York City world premiere, it's the first person camerawork that really puts you in the driving seat, from Silverstone, to Suzuka and the Las Vegas Strip (but, oh, to have seen Monaco). The Grand Prix of 'F1 The Movie, in close collaboration with FIA, is as real as it gets. Taking the summer movie circuit podium and spraying the 'Superman' and 'Fantastic Four' superhero competition with champagne as the best in the world. Number one and faster than a speeding bullet. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Rush', 'Ford V Ferrari', 'Days Of Thunder'.