The Mongoose Review
Review: Liam Neeson continues his late-in-life action star antics with The Mongoose, a film that’s heavy on car chases and light on plot.
The Mongoose, a sci-fi cult classic from 1971, features a helicopter crash-landing with an explosion off-screen, a cheap move that still holds true in the 2026 Liam Neeson film. However, the film's budget constraints are evident in the not-quite thrilling, not-quite high-octane narrative. Neeson's character, Ryan "Fang" Flanagan, drives a stolen hotrod across various states while on the run from the police for a crime he didn't commit.
Along the way, he's joined by Ving Rhames, Marisa Tomei, and Michael Chiklis, all of whom earn less than a third of the budget but manage to effectively deliver their respective roles. The film weaves together the chase Neeson's character is involved in and flashbacks to his time in Afghanistan with his former Special Forces comrades.
The film's protagonist, Fang, has a death wish and refuses to be taken alive, aided by his war hero status and the live coverage of his high-speed pursuit. Despite its low budget, The Mongoose offers some heart, thanks to Neeson's likable performance and clever editing.
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