Read Time: 4 minutes
| RELEASE DATE | 27 June 2025 |
|---|---|
| DIRECTOR | Jonathan Hensleigh |
| DISTRIBUTED BY | Vertical |
| WRITERS | Jonathan Hensleigh |
| CAST | Liam Neeson, Bingbing Fan, Marcus Thomas |
| RUNTIME | 1h 52m |
| AGE RATING | PG-13 |
| GENRE | Action / Thriller |
| BUDGET | Estimated $45 million |
Review:
Liam Neeson returns to the action arena in Ice Road: Vengeance, a pulse-pounding sequel that swaps frozen highways for the rugged terrain of the Himalayas. This time, it’s not about cargo – it’s about closure. Neeson’s Mike McCann is a man on a mission: to fulfill his late brother's dying wish by spreading his ashes atop Mt. Everest. What begins as a somber journey of grief soon spirals into a high-stakes survival tale when a peaceful bus tour turns into a war zone.
Director and writer Jonathan Hensleigh crafts a surprisingly taut thriller that blends emotional undercurrents with raw physical stakes. While the title may be misleading (no ice roads this time), the film more than compensates with dizzying mountain chases, brutal brawls in claustrophobic spaces, and a suspense-laden plot involving mercenaries and political conspiracy in Nepal. Hensleigh builds tension effectively, leaning on the claustrophobic geography and the ethical implications of exploitation in developing regions.
Neeson, at 72, still commands the screen. Whether he's wrestling armed thugs on a moving bus or reflecting on loss with a soulful stare, he brings a gravitas that sells even the most over-the-top sequences. Bingbing Fan matches his intensity as Dhani, a sharp and resourceful guide whose calm demeanor belies her lethal skills. Their chemistry forms the beating heart of the film, supported by a surprisingly diverse cast of civilians-turned-heroes.
The action doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it knows exactly what it is: a satisfying vehicle for Neeson’s signature brand of stoic heroism. The fights are grounded, the stakes feel real, and while some CGI flashbacks are less than perfect, they don’t distract from the momentum. There’s even a dash of dry humor, reminding us that Mike McCann isn’t just a bruiser — he’s a bruiser with heart.
With its panoramic mountain visuals and compact run-time, Ice Road: Vengeance is lean, mean, and emotionally resonant. It may not redefine the genre, but it’s a sharp reminder that the human spirit — like Liam Neeson’s career — isn’t done fighting yet.
Mike McCann: "I came to bury my brother, not a busload of mercenaries... but hey, two birds, one stone."
Watch it if you love your action with a side of soul.
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