THE ICE ROAD – “The plot could have used some major de-icing”

iceroad

RATING

DIRECTOR

Jonathan Hensleigh (The Punisher – 2004)

STARRING

  • Liam Neeson as Mike
  • Laurence Fishburne as Goldenrod
  • Benjamin Walker as Varnay
  • Amber Midthunder as Tantoo
  • Marcus Thomas as Gurty
  • Holt McCallany as Rene Lampard
  • Martin Sensmeier as Cody
  • Matt McCoy as George Sickle

SYNOPSIS

After a remote Canadian diamond mine collapses, an ice driver leads an impossible rescue mission to save the lives of trapped miners despite thawing waters.

REVIEW SUMMARY

When it comes to Jonathan Hensleigh’s The Ice Road, the plot could have used some major de-icing. Hokey to the nth degree, this latest Liam Neeson-starring actioner is just plain… well, plain. Yep, there’s nothing special about it. For starters, the story is as worn-out as Neeson’s resume at this point. Ok, to be fair, there is surely a reason why studios keep putting out numerous action films every year with the grizzled Irishman in the lead – he’s good at it. And, once again, Neeson is satisfyingly effective in this role. The problem is that he’s been added to an overall shoddy production with little in the way of real suspense or excitement. What could have been a fun Speed-like thriller on ice, becomes nothing more than an exercise in eye-rolling. If you go in searching for some top-level stunt work or worthwhile plot developments, I’m afraid you’ll come up empty handed. I mean, maybe if you’ve never seen an action movie in the past 3 decades, you’ll find some enjoyment in the silly intrigue of it all. For everyone else though, it’s just a slippery ride to the tepid finish line.

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