"F1" Made Me Realize Brad Pitt Has Become My Favorite Actor

Last week I went to go watch the new "F1" starring Brad Pitt, and I had a great time. The movie was full of stuff I expected: fast cars, great action, catchy music, and unreal camera work showing off some of the new technology Hollywood has been able to get its hands on to give us movie experiences that you can truly only appreciate if you watch them on the biggest screen possible. I watched the movie in IMAX, and going in, I expected to feel like "Top Gun: Maverick" on wheels, as that movie's director, Joseph Kosinski, also directed "F1."

And while I do still think that "Top Gun: Maverick" is the better movie, "F1" is still a movie I very much enjoyed, and while it did have many of the clichés you'd expect in a sports movie, one thing I did not expect to be asking myself walking out of the theatre was, "Is Brad Pitt my favorite actor?" And after thinking over some of his filmography, I think I have come to the conclusion that yes, he is.

Honestly, I'm not even sure what it is; as he has gotten older, he has managed to come across as effortlessly cool, which at times could come across as arrogant. Pitt somehow does it in a way that is refreshing in a lot of his recent work.

So naturally, over the last week I re-watched or looked up some of his filmography and it is just so elite.

Let’s start with a movie that is in my personal top ten favorites ever, Moneyball (2011), which in my opinion is the greatest sports movie ever. Pitt's portrayal of Oakland Athletics' General Manager Billy Beane is one of his best ever, and I would not have been mad if he had won an Oscar for his performance in that film. Somehow, he turns walking around chewing sunflower seeds and talking about on-base percentage into an all-time performance.

Going back to the 90s, Pitt starred in two of the greatest movies ever in "Se7en" (1995) and "Fight Club" (1999). Pitt in those films is unbelievable, as in "Fight Club," where he shows a charismatic side that draws the viewer in, while in "Se7en" he shows off his detective skills while also showing that at any second he is ready to explode.

I recommend you watch both, but especially "Se7en" if you have not yet.

In 2022, he starred in "Bullet Train" which is just a fun time. Pitt in the most calm way possible provides all-time great action scenes. While getting stabbed or punched in the face, he somehow manages to crack hilarious jokes at the most perfect time.

But in my opinion, Pitt's most underrated and funniest performance ever comes in "Burn After Reading" (2008). I genuinley don't think I can overstate how funny he is in that movie as he plays a light-hearted gym employee filled with tons of enthiuasium and hiliarious jokes. Truly a legendary performance. Also, I’m convinced he delivers the single funniest face in the history of cinema in that film. (Seriously — I’ll link it below, but spoiler warning if you haven’t seen it yet.)

I'm not even going to discuss some of his other great movies, such as "Inglourious Bastards," "Babylon," or "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."

So yeah. Watching F1 reminded me how good Brad Pitt is, and after running back through his career, I can say for at least the time being, if you were to ask who my favourite actor is, I think I'd have to say Pitt.

What a legend.

P.S., if you're thinking about watching "F1," please go do it while it is still in theatres because it is truly something worth seeing on the big screen!