Student Film Reviews

Film reviews from theaters, couches, and film festivals

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1. Lisa Trivell 02.26.26 / 11am

   F1 was one of my favorite films of the year.I too felt the cinematography was amazing.I thank you for bringing up the point that 14 cameras were on one car at some points.I agree that the musical score was amazing ,the way it was integrated into the whole movie.I saw the movie twice and I would see it again
2. Sarah Ek 02.26.26 / 12pm

   This film was an inspiration to follow your dreams, and showed that skill is still skill, no matter who has it or at what age! I agree with you on the significance of the phrases mentioned at the beginning and end of the movie. These phrases solidify the purpose of the movie, and Sonny Hayes’ true mindset when on the track. The cinematography was incredible! I enjoyed seeing the use of colors in the film. We are reminded how new everything is when Sonny Hayes walks into white, electric, modern buildings with new technology. However, his own colors are older like browns and beiges. I also appreciated the different tracking shots used to film the cars, really showing the audience how fast those race cars go! Did you know that they even had to use helicopters to film them, since drones could not keep up? That is incredible commitment to the realistic expectations of this sport, where they use helicopters to film the actual races. I enjoyed watching this film and hope that more like it are shown!
3. Mason Masciangelo 02.26.26 / 7pm

   I haven’t seen this film but reading your review just might change that. I like how you mentioned how the film is very visually engaging and at the same time the audio has an important role. It made me think of being in an F1 car and how every movement and detail is so important at high speeds. The recurring motif of doing things for a purpose instead of money is also inspiring and something our society should encourage more.
4. Ella Petrunia 02.28.26 / 11pm

   I actually haven’t seen the film yet, but your description of the cinematography and themes in the film sounds super interesting! I like your points on the actual use of cars in the film, and what you said about the car montages.
5. Christine Hart 03.12.26 / 3pm

   Your review of F1: The Movie brings out some thorough observations about how the film uses both dialog and cinematography to build meaning. I like how you connected the repeating line “It’s not about the money” to Sonny’s personal motivation and growth. Bringing that line back in the final scene with Rubin, it really does underline the idea that purpose and passion really can matter more than financial reward. You explained that clearly, and it shows how the film uses repetition to reinforce it. Your insights and comments on the cinematography were strong in detail about Kosinski using fourteen cameras on a single car, giving the reader the film’s ambition, and the reason why the racing scenes feel so immersive. Your point about montage editing, and how it mirrors the style used in car culture videos. That explains the connection and visual familiarity to audiences that love cars. If you wanted to push your analysis even further, you could expand on how the cinematography shapes our understanding of the characters, and not just the cars. An example could be on shots inside the cockpit, and the closeups of the expressions on the drivers faces, and how that contributes to the emotional stakes, when you mention the two protagonists and develop that idea, it could solidify your review.
   Overall, you did an excellent job highlighting both the thematic and technical strengths of the film. Your balance of plot details, along with character insight, and production information shows a real engagement when you watched the film.
6. Giulia Sophie Gentile 03.15.26 / 5pm

   I really like this movie! it’s very engaging and keeps your attention on the screen. As you say in this review, the racing scenes are intense, showing how important cinematography is in creating excitement. In this movie the editing and cinematography, especially with a lot of cameras on the cars, helps create realistic scenes and establish the pace of the film dynamic.
7. Ian Garcia 03.17.26 / 4pm

   Overall I think F1 to be a great demonstration of camera and sound work. I think the review and the mention of the amount of camera used during racing scenes proves that. Although from the perspective of a F1 purist there’s definitely flaws within the logistics of Team Apex’s success but the movie makes up with it by a great team of actors and great production. Watching this movie in theaters and hearing the roar of engines and the angles of cars on the track creates for an immersive experience. This alongside a story of aging veteran played by Brad Pitt, and a rookie Idris makes for a engaging watch.
8. Chayse Swenson 03.18.26 / 12pm

   I think you did a great job discussing F1: The Movie’s visuals and message․ I agree with you that the repeated use of the phrase “it’s not about the money” is a useful motif and helps to establish Sonny’s motivation and character development․ It’s more than just racing‚ but you did a good job of connecting its cinematography through multiple cameras and montage editing to our class concepts on the influence of technical choices on audience experience․ The rapid editing and sound give a sense that the audience has entered the experience as opposed to just watching the race․
9. Leah Morchy 03.18.26 / 2pm

   As a Formula One fan, this movie was amazing! The fast-paced action, roaring of the engines, different camera angles made the experience so immersive. Although theater attendance has plummeted from streaming services and access, this movie has brought back the feeling of being submersed and transported in which a theater can provide. Very similar to the other high-concept movie, Top Gun, I agree, the cinematography and editing made everything so aestheically pleasing. Overall, F1 did a great job bringing race car driving to the theaters.
10. Reynaldo Rodriguez 03.19.26 / 12pm

    You did a very good job reviewing this film and the main emotions and ideas behind the main character Sonny Hayes. I really enjoyed how you had talked about how Sonny had participated in the races not for the money, but for what he wanted to accomplish to himself. It really put in place the love that he had for racing and it set up the theme of the movie to be a better watch.The cinematography was a huge part of this film as well as the sound and I like how you had talked about it. The point where there were 14 cameras on a car in a scene really shows how a good director with decent cinematography can produce a great film. Cinematography has also been huge for movies I have watched in film class because it helps move the story better when there is a good cinematography to match the theme.
11. Damos Deworken 03.19.26 / 10pm

    F1 was a very anticipated watch for me and it easily became one of my favorite movies that came out last year, mainly because I really like the two main actors in it, Brad Pitt and Damson Idris. They both delivered remarkable performances to create this masterpiece, along with the help of kosinski’s exceptional and detailed cinematography. Your review of F1 made me realize that this movie is more then just a retired F1 driver, it is about purpose and having passion for something you love.
12. Dylan Jacobs 03.20.26 / 9am

    I really liked your points on the cinematography, especially the interesting detail about fourteen cameras on one car for immersive shots of inside/outside/driver. This explains why the racing feels so realistic and visceral for viewers, with Kosinski’s montage style, and paced shots that are synced to music, the movie reflects car culture edits that you mentioned, and functions as mis-en-scene in action. The cockpit’s cinematic close-ups and tracking shots highlight Sonny and his expressions, and the cockpit’s confined space against the high-speed, chaotic nature of racing. This blends realism with expressionism, making the movie really fun to watch.
13. Asa Selverston 03.20.26 / 1pm

    I love this breakdown of the film. The film is showing greatness. what it is like before, what it is like after, what it is like during. The continuous use of “its not about the money” shows how once you have reached greatness you do not need to appeal to anyone, not even yourself. Sonny Hayes is in retirement now and does care about the respect of some random people. But once he gets thrown back into the saddle we see his hunger for greatness re emerge.
14. Nathaniel Rojo-Moon 03.20.26 / 2pm

    Hi Salma, I think you made a fantastic review for the film F1, and I myself found the film wonderful. The cinematography can’t not be talked about it was just beautiful, and the 14 cameras you mentioned just add on to the dedication. The actors, as you mention, play their roles very well. Brad Pitt really made you believe in his role, which I think played a huge part in the realism of the story. Overall, I found your review well constructed and everything you mention I agree with 100%.
15. Sebastian Christou 03.20.26 / 2pm

    F1 was a comeback story, but not in the typical sense. When I think of a comeback story, I think of miracle on ice or tallageda nights. Someone who comes back from a low place to win a title. Prove the world wrong. Sonny Hayes redemption arc and the overall theme of the film was very similar to “The Driver” because its about navigating personal conflict, like fear and trauma, for a purpose.
16. Jaydee Anne Fuentes 03.20.26 / 11pm

    I’m not a huge fan of these types of movies, but I genuinely enjoyed F1! As you mentioned about the cinematography for the movie, the way there were so many angles on the cars used in the film allowed the audience to have that point-of-view sense. The work also allowed us to have an insight into the dynamics of the car and the tracks the protagonists drove on. I also liked how you mentioned that every time Sonny was asked how much the pay was, it was never about the money. Sonny wanted that thrill of being able to accomplish many obstacles, thus him trying different hobbies. Another thing I wanted to add the changes Sonny Hayes was able to go through in the movie. In the beginning, he wanted to do things his way and on his own. Eventually, he learned to adapt to new changes and be able to work with his team and partner. This shows the growth the protagonists was able to achieve.
17. Daniel Perez 03.20.26 / 11pm

    I also really like how you noted the film was visually intense but also leaned into dialogue for Sonny’s purpose. The “not about the money” moment does draw me further into seeing this shift towards passion and mentorship rather than status or fame. It’s cool how this ties into something you noted from earlier in the film – gives the character that full circle moment. The cinematography sounds crazy obviously with so many cameras seeing every angle definitely very immersive and real for the racing sequences.
18. Caleb Graffious 03.25.26 / 3pm

    Your review does a great job highlighting how F1: The Movie balances action with deeper meaning. I like your focus on the line “It’s not about the money,” because it really shows Sonny’s motivation and how he’s driven by passion rather than profit. The connection between the early diner scene and the ending in the Baja Desert was a strong observation and helped show how the film comes full circle.

    You also made a good point about cinematography, especially how the use of multiple cameras and montage editing enhances the racing scenes. Overall, your review clearly shows that the film isn’t just visually exciting but also explores themes like purpose and mentorship.

    Caleb Graffious
    caleb_graffious1@my.vcccd.edu
19. Aidan Gomez 03.26.26 / 10pm

    I like your review because you point out that F1 isn’t just about racing but also about Sonny’s purpose and leadership. I also liked how you focused on the line “it’s not about the money,” since it shows his motivation and connects to the idea of passion over profit that we’ve talked about in class. Your view of the cinematography stood out to me too, especially how you mentioned the use of multiple cameras and editing to make the racing scenes more intense and realistic. I think that really shows how film techniques like editing and camera work help keep the audience engaged.

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