Written and directed by Jonathan Hensleigh, The Ice Road is an action film starring Liam Neeson that tells the story of a collapsed mine and how a team of ice drivers are picked to save the trapped miners.
Set in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, we are introduced to Jack McCann (Liam Neeson) and his aphasia-stricken brother Gurty McCann (Marcus Thomas) who both struggle to hold down a job but offer their services when they find out about the collapsed mine. Jack and Gurty are joined by Jim Goldenrod (Laurence Fishburn), Tantoo (Amber Midthunder) and Tom Varney (Benjamin Walker), as they head out on the dangerous ice road, soon finding out that they have more than the road to be worried about.
I went in to The Ice Road expecting another Liam Neeson action flick, and while I was mostly correct, I was pleasantly surprised that this film also included some thriller aspects. Liam Neeson is enjoyable to watch as Jack McCann but he isn’t always likable. There are a few moments where he is frustrated with his brother, which does come across as mean, but serves a purpose to the story, despite his character’s mood being a little inconsistent. While I did enjoy the supporting cast, it is clear that Liam Neeson is the star of the film.
Initially, I was hoping that the scenes with the trapped miners would be more interesting. However, I found myself wanting the story to go back to being on the ice road, as I found these scenes and the ice drivers more entertaining. The scenes with the miners are important as they showcase their struggles, although these scenes do feel like that they slow down the momentum of the film. In comparison, the scenes on the ice road are riveting because of how dangerous it is for the characters to drive their trucks on the ice road, and the feeling that anything could go wrong at any moment keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The Ice Road is an appropriate film to watch in the wintertime. If you are familiar with Liam Neeson’s recent body of work, then The Ice Road won’t be anything too unexpected. However, the film does have enough thrilling sequences and a easy to follow storyline that will keep you engaged from start to finish.
The Ice Road will open in cinemas that aren’t in lock down from the 12th of August 2021.