F1 Movie Races Into #1 Spot Around the World
Strap in and feel the g-force as F1 roars onto the big screen with the velocity of a championship contender and the heart of a comeback story. Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) and produced by seven-time Formula 1 (F1) world champion, Lewis Hamilton, this adrenaline-fuelled film blurs the line between sport and cinema. Brad Pitt delivers a gritty, grounded performance as Sonny Hayes, a retired racer pulled back onto the grid for one last shot at glory. Real-world Grand Prix circuits and cutting-edge, in-car footage immerse viewers in the high-stakes world of F1 like never before.
Pole Position at NuMetro Hyde Park
If you’re going to experience F1 in all its thrilling glory, Hyde Park Corner’s NuMetro is where you want to be. With its plush leather recliners, crystal-clear laser projection, and immersive 360° surround sound, this cinema turns every screech of the tyres and roar of the engines into a front-row seat at the Grand Prix. The upscale setting perfectly matches the film’s sleek aesthetic and adrenaline-fuelled pace, making Hyde Park not just a cinema, but the ultimate pit stop for premium movie magic.
PS: NuMetro Hyde Park is also redefining entertainment in all aspects. From luxury VIP lounges and in-cinema dining to thrilling 4DX, Xtreme and Screen X cinemas (a first in South African cinema), it is placing itself amongst the top movie houses in the country.
New Iconic F1 Duo: Sonny Hayes & Joshua Pearce
Settling in for the hour and a half movie, we were immediately immersed in the F1 scene. We felt as though we were standing beside Sonny Hayes. Except, we had popcorn and slush puppies where he donned racing gear and a helmet.
F1 follows the story of Sonny Hayes, a former F1 driver who walked away from the sport after a devastating crash, only to be pulled back into the high-speed world he once ruled. Tasked with mentoring hotshot rookie Joshua Pearce for the struggling fictional team APXGP, Sonny must confront his past, rebuild his confidence, and prove he still has what it takes to compete (and win). Set against the backdrop of real F1 circuits and featuring heart-pounding race sequences, the film blends redemption, rivalry, and raw ambition in a story that is as much about personal grit as it is about crossing the finish line. It will have you curling your toes, fisting your hands and peaking through your fingers during multiple scenes.
Brad Pitt portrays Sonny Hayes whilst Damson Idris acts as Joshua Pearce. Of course, no blockbuster is complete without a dash of romance, and F1 delivers just that. Standing up for females in STEM, APXGP’s team race director is the trailblazing Kate McKenna, portrayed by Kerry Condon. She plays the part with strength, sincerity and spark, inspiring younger generations to chase their dreams.
F1 Spends, Then Wins, The Jackpot
Produced on a $200-300 million budget, F1 oozed refinement and perfection in every aspect. The movie was distributed by Apple Studios in collaboration with Warner Bros. Furthermore, it was filmed during actual Grand Prix weekends, with real teams and real drivers making star appearances. Pitt and Idris even trained alongside the drivers, mentored by Lewis Hamilton, to drive modified F2 cars for the movie.
Hamilton also served as an authenticity advisor and executive producer, saying whether the movie was realistic or too fictional. Thus, this movie is not just a reenactment of F1, but a glimpse into the real-world of F1 in a new setting. One such example of Hamilton keeping the movie on track was ensuring the cars in the movie had the same revving noises as actual F1 cars. Hamilton suggested tweaking sounds and reverberations to ensure the audience lived and breathed F1 during the film. This positioned F1 as the Formula 1 movie to watch.
Furthermore, the movie was shot with custom miniaturised cameras for in-car realism, and, with a high-octane soundtrack featuring Hans Zimmer, Ed Sheeran, Tate McRae and more, you are sure to be bobbing along.
Extraordinarily, the film broke Apple TV records when it grossed $144 million during its premiere weekend, racing to the top of box offices worldwide. So, while the film went over budget, it clearly paid off.
#HelloReviews the F1 film as being spectacular and something breathtakingly new on the movie market. It is clear to see why it is the world’s #1 movie: ten out of ten doesn’t aptly describe our awe at F1 nor at the experience delivered to us by NuMetro Hyde Park. All we can say is…watch it, now!
Images: Apple TV+
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