TL;DR
Joseph Kosinski delivers another cinematic stunner with *F1: The Movie*, a technical marvel that rivals *Top Gun: Maverick* in its immersive, practical-effects-driven approach. While the plot follows a familiar mentor-mentee arc, the film's true brilliance lies in its breathtaking, native 4K visuals shot with IMAX cameras on the cars, and an unparalleled Dolby Atmos sound mix that puts you right in the cockpit. The physical UHD edition boasts incredible detail and vibrant colors that streaming simply can't match. Get ready for an audiovisual assault that will have you feeling every G-force. Dive into the full review to discover why this is an essential watch for any film or F1 fan!
Joseph Kosinski delivered a cinematic triumph with Top Gun: Maverick. Now he returns to achieve a similar feat for Formula 1, and the result is a technical marvel that will engage your senses and deliver profound impact. We have comprehensively evaluated the UHD 4K edition.
It is difficult not to draw parallels between F1: The Movie and Top Gun: Maverick. Both share the same director, producer, an unwavering commitment to practical effects, and notably – the same technical brilliance. However, where Maverick soared into the sky, F1 immerses us in the asphalt, conveying G-forces that resonate throughout the body. I initially experienced the film in cinemas this summer and was profoundly impressed, but the recurring question is always: can the home cinema release replicate that experience? The answer is an emphatic yes – provided you possess the requisite equipment.
Plot F1 The Movie
Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) is a former F1 driver who was forced out of the sport after a crash in the 90s and now competes in lower racing classes. He is enticed back to the premier racing circuit by an old friend and team principal (Javier Bardem) to mentor prodigy Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) within the fictional, and severely underperforming, APXGP team.
While employing classic sports film dramaturgy, and the “mentor guiding young talent” trope has been seen before (not least in Maverick itself), just like Kosinski’s previous film, it’s not what is told, but how. It’s a narrative of ego, redemption, and the relentless pursuit of fractional seconds, presented with an intensity that maintains unwavering momentum.
Picture on UHD 4K
If you have been searching for new reference material to showcase the capabilities of your OLED TV, your search ends here. F1 is filmed with custom-built IMAX cameras mounted directly on the cars, and the transfer to UHD 4K is native 4K of unparalleled quality. Since F1 – The Movie is partly financed by Apple, the film is available on Apple TV+, but note that this streaming version does not include the IMAX sequences; they are exclusively found on this physical release.
The sharpness is exceptionally precise on our new Panasonic Z95B OLED. Every pore in Brad Pitt’s weathered face, the intricate texture of the asphalt at Silverstone, and the carbon fiber weave of the chassis are rendered with striking clarity. The Dolby Vision-implementation is assertive and spectacular; the contrast between the dark pit garages and the blinding sun at Monza is at times remarkably effective. The colors in APXGP’s black-and-gold livery exhibit exceptional vibrancy on screen, a quality that compressed streaming signals cannot match, thanks to the unrivaled bitrate on the physical disc. This is an unparalleled visual spectacle, completely devoid of digital artifacts.
Audio on the UHD 4K Edition
Prepare for an extraordinary audio experience. If the picture quality earns a 10/10, the sound achieves an 11/10. We are presented with a Dolby Atmos track that establishes a new benchmark for the genre. It’s not merely engine roars (though the hybrid engines sound demonstrably more robust here than in typical TV broadcasts); it’s an expansive, almost 360-degree soundscape.
When the cars surge past, you perceive the rush of wind in the surround channels. The Atmos channels are extensively utilized to position crowd cheers, helicopters, and pit radio above you, creating an immersive soundfield. However, the bass is the true highlight. The LFE channel delves deeply into the low-frequency spectrum with every gear change and collision. If you possess a capable subwoofer, you will experience palpable impact. This is sound mixing at its very best – dynamic, detailed, and impactful.
Bonus Material
Regrettably, here lies a common frustration for consumers in Nordic regions. While the American and British editions feature hour-long documentaries detailing the construction of the cars and the actors’ training, the Nordic edition is limited to a 15-minute “Making of” featurette and a few trailers. This is disappointing for a film of this caliber. Nordic distributors must begin offering comparable content to what is available in other parts of the world. We are, after all, paying premium prices for physical media.
Summary
F1 is a high-speed, audiovisual tour de force that solidifies Joseph Kosinski’s position as a master of modern blockbuster action. Brad Pitt possesses exceptional charisma, and the racing sequences are the most exhilarating captured on film since Le Mans ’66. The UHD edition is a technical marvel. Despite the limited bonus material, this is an essential addition to any enthusiast’s collection. Streaming cannot do this film justice.
Maximize your audio, dim the lights, and prepare to experience the intense G-forces!
SF Studios provided review copies for this test. Material providers have no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently, focusing on you, our readers and consumers.
