Overtake!

While I've never been much of a car enthusiast, Formula 1 holds a special place in my memories. As a kid, my dad and I would frequent the local pub every Sunday, alternating between watching Moto GP and F1 races. Those were the days of Michael Schumacher and Mika Häkkinen, and I still recall some of the "wise words" of the commentator like "One thing is to catch up with the racer, another is to overtake him..." Thanks to those experiences, I entered into Overtake! with some familiarity with Formula 1. The series faithfully captured the electric atmosphere surrounding the races, mentioning intriguing aspects of racing such as tire types, slipstream driving, and important rules like the yellow flag and warm-up lap. The cockpit shots felt authentic, reminiscent of what I witnessed during those TV broadcasts. Even though I'm not typically a fan of 3D CGI animation, the models of the Formula cars were impressively executed, capturing their movements with precision. The roaring sound of the cars transported me back to those race days, hitting the mark with their engine noises. The depiction of the race teams and the individuals involved in the sport felt genuine, delving into personal struggles and dramas that added depth to the narrative. While at times I wished for more racing action, particularly of the quality showcased in the final episode, the human dramas proved engaging and complemented the overall story well. I debated between a strong 3-star rating and a weak 4-star, but the thrilling F4 race in the last episode tipped the scales towards the higher rating. Ultimately, Overtake! earns a solid 6.8/10 from me. (2023.12.17)