‘Ice Road: Vengeance’ Review: Liam Neeson Returns for a Forgettable Sequel to an Already Forgotten Action Flick

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As a gamer, I’d say it’s best if characters like Liam Neeson steer clear of all public transportation. You just can’t hop on a plane, train, or even a tour bus without finding yourself in the middle of some serious chaos. Even on a peaceful trip to scatter my late brother’s ashes at Mount Everest, things took a turn for the worst aboard that Nepalese tour bus in the latest action flick, “Ice Road: Vengeance.

Based on its title, the movie is a continuation of the 2021 film titled “The Ice Road,” directed by Jonathan Hensleigh and released on Netflix. Given its title and initial release, it didn’t appear that there would be many opportunities for a follow-up. The main character, Mike McCann, doesn’t have many traits that make him an action hero other than his ability to expertly drive heavy vehicles. And of course, because he’s portrayed by Liam Neeson.

In this new installment, Hensleigh, both writer and director, brings us a story where Mike, who we last saw trying to rescue miners in Manitoba, makes an unexpected journey to Nepal to fulfill the dying wish of his brother Gurty (Marcus Thomas reprising his role via flashbacks). Upon arrival, Mike links up with his Everest guide Dhani (Fan Bingbing stepping into the role that Amber Midthunder held in the previous film as Mike’s tough female companion) and jumps aboard a bus called “Kiwi Express,” driven by the amusing Australian, Spike (Geoff Morell). The other passengers on this bus include various mountain climbers, including an American professor (Bernard Curry) and his teenage daughter, Starr (Grace O’Sullivan), who makes her presence known with her sullen attitude and constant phone usage.

Sadly, one of the riders turns out to be local resident Vijay (Saksham Sharma). This individual finds themselves in trouble when they’re targeted by three individuals with kidnapping intentions, including the dangerous Jeet (Amelia Bishop), who hijack the bus. The situation revolves around a corrupt businessman and a contentious land dispute concerning the construction of a crucial dam. However, once Mike, who possesses the skill to immobilize the bus from his seat as a passenger, steps in, the specifics of the plot become less important.

Indeed, a significant part of it involves nerve-wracking journeys along perilous mountain passes, surprisingly fewer than expected given the title, which hint at icy conditions. Throughout this journey, there are numerous brawls and gunfights. Remarkably, Mike and Dhani, who claim to be truck driver and mountain guide respectively, display combat prowess that surpasses expectations. As the story progresses, other characters too reveal their toughness, even Starr, who was once brash, undergoes a dramatic personality transformation following the loss of her phone, showing a newfound fierceness.

The events unfold in a routine and repetitive manner. A significant portion of the chaos revolves around an urn, which holds Gurty’s remains. Notably, Mike puts his life at risk to retrieve it and even uses it as a weapon. Moreover, there are numerous instances where vehicles hang dangerously close to cliff edges.

Liam Neeson effortlessly performs these actions even in his sleep, yet he never seems to be just going through the motions. Surprisingly, his most emotional scene isn’t when his character is faced with mortal peril, but instead when he fiercely corrects someone for mistakenly identifying him as American rather than Irish. (It seems as though the actor may have added that line to his contract.) The supporting actress delivers a strong performance, adding plenty of charm and depth to her character, who showcases impressive fighting abilities.

The follow-up film, titled “Ice Road: Vengeance,” seems destined to be soon forgotten, even by fans of the original. To write this review, I needed to reacquaint myself with the first movie. Regrettably, just like its title suggests, it’s as ordinary as can be. Let’s hope Liam Neeson recognizes when it’s time to depart from action films before he follows in the footsteps of Charles Bronson, who produced an astonishing four sequels for “Death Wish.

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2025-06-26 19:26