THE ICE ROAD on Netflix is a survival action-thriller starring Liam Neeson. Of course, that means a wild ride with a storyline that might defy logic a bit much. However, this one also offers up some crushing social commentary. Read our full The Ice Road movie review here!
THE ICE ROAD is a new Netflix action-thriller with a plot that’s all about survival in many different forms. The movie stars Liam Neeson, and yes, I am a fan. Especially because I feel like I know what to expect from the movies he stars in when action is one of the main genres.
Basically, you know the storyline will have moments that feel a little too convenient and you’ll guess most of it upfront. However, it’s also pretty unapologetic about this fact. Plus, for this new Netflix addition, the story of the survival action-thriller also touches on some core social commentary in a very direct way.
Continue reading our The Ice Road movie review below and find it on Netflix in the US now.
Not “just” a wild ride!
If you’ve watched the trailer for The Ice Road then you’ll know that a wild ride is in store. However, I should probably warn you that most of what you see in the trailer is from the first half of the movie. There is a lot more to the storyline which also means the pace is slower than what the trailer might indicate.
You can watch the trailer at the bottom of this review. Don’t worry, it’s not one of those spoiler-filled trailers.
The more serious issues covered – which I refer to as “social commentary” – include occupational hazards, lack of help for veterans (or rather, opting to dope them), and Native Americans fighting for the safety of their land. These are just the three core issues that are included, which I did not expect from a Liam Neeson action movie.
Small core cast full of familiar faces
The core characters going out on “the ice road” are portrayed by many familiar faces. First, we have Liam Neeson who is an Oscar-nominated actor (for Schindler’s List) and known for the heart-warming Holiday movie Love Actually (2003). For the past several decades, he has had a huge career as an action star with the Taken franchise and his role in Nolan’s Batman trilogy.
I think I’ve already made it clear that I love him in action movies like The Ice Road because you know what to expect. This is no exception and it’s even a bit better (or deeper) than I expected. Along with Liam Neeson as Mike, we have Marcus Thomas (Kill the Irishman) as his brother “Gurty”. Their relationship is key to many events in this film.
Leading the crew of truckers is Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix and John Wick movies) as Goldenrod. He first employs the young woman, Tantoo, who is played by Amber Midthunder. You might recognize Amber Midthunder from the Roswell, New Mexico series, Hell or High Water (2016), the horror movie 14 Cameras, or the Netflix hit thriller Only Mine (2019).
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Finally, I was pleasantly surprised to also see Benjamin Walker, since I had managed to miss that he was in The Ice Road. Ever since seeing him play the title role in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012), I’ve hoped to see him in more genre movies. Of course, he was also in the Netflix series Jessica Jones and will be in the upcoming Lord of the Rings TV series.
Watch The Ice Road on Netflix now!
The Ice Road was written and directed by Jonathan Hensleigh. This is his first feature film as a director since his debut with The Punisher back in 2004. More than directing, he has been writing on quite a few blockbuster screenplays. From Jumanji (1995) and Armageddon (1998) to the Nicolas Cage sci-fi action movie Next in 2007.
As already stated, The Ice Road is a wild ride in exactly the way you’d expect from an action movie starring Liam Neeson. However, the added element of more serious issues as crushing social commentary is a welcome addition. Sure, you will guess a lot ahead of time, but I definitely think you’ll discover some elements that surprise you along the way as well.
The Ice Road is out on Netflix in the US from June 25, 2021. It will also be screening in movie theaters in many countries around the world later this summer.
Details
Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Writer: Jonathan Hensleigh
Stars: Liam Neeson, Marcus Thomas, Laurence Fishburne, Amber Midthunder, Benjamin Walker, Holt McCallany, Matt McCoy, Martin Sensmeier
Plot
After a remote diamond mine collapses in the far northern regions of Canada, an ice driver leads an impossible rescue mission over a frozen ocean to save the lives of trapped miners despite thawing waters and a threat they never see coming.
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