Highest 2 Lowest Review
As a celebrated creator in his own right, Spike Lee’s influence on pop culture and art as a whole needs no introduction. The Academy Award-winning director has been able to capture these unique perspectives in all of his works, such as the 1989 classic Do the Right Thing to the super-charged BlacKkKlansman. Highlighting the societal and economic challenges in countless periods of history through voices of color is certainly not the easiest of tasks, especially in the film industry. However, Lee seemingly proves his mastery of that through his newest film, Highest 2 Lowest, albeit as best as he can.
Highest 2 Lowest actually serves as a modern-day reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 Japanese film, High and Low. Lee’s take sees an embattled records business owner David King (Denzel Washington) confronted by a desperate rapper (A$AP Rocky) trying to be popular by any means necessary. However, when the rapper accidentally kidnaps the son of King’s best friend, Paul (Jeffrey Wright), King must decide whether or not to do what’s morally right.
If there’s one certainty to expect from Lee’s work, it’s that it will speak on hard-hitting topics relevant today. In fact, there’s a certain feeling that Lee infused the film’s familial narrative with these subtle hints of classism and capitalism with ease. When King’s son, Trey (Aubrey Joseph), gets kidnapped, there’s more urgency both by King, his wife Pam (Ilfenesh Hadera), and the police involved to get him back. However, when it turns out that Paul’s son, Kyle (Elijah Wright) was actually the one kidnapped, King has this hesitancy to take action.
King’s hesitancy is continuously shared by the police as well, specifically with Higgins (Dean Winters) and even Earl Bridges (John Douglas Thompson). This is because of King’s own economic problems as he views maintaining what power he has in the music business as a “higher priority.” Yet, as Paul puts more pressure on King, we’re made to feel more sympathetic for all parties involved. The way that Lee and writer Alan Fox carefully weave around the little, yet purposeful, character developments with King really gives a complexity that says, “We have to do right, but when is the right time to sacrifice?”
This question falls on King as a character, who’s beautifully brought to life thanks to Washington’s captivating performance. Washington makes King out to be an empathetic family man who does care about others, but is also too fearful of being a hero. Throughout King’s struggle of morality versus affluence, Washington lets King become this singular man with burgeoning flaws that makes him uniquely nuanced. His chemistry with Wright especially captures this in a uniquely perfect way.
Plus, we’re also treated to some very timely jokes that fit with Lee’s sense of modern comedy. Whether it be a referential joke to AI taking over the music business to social media’s power over businesses, most of these moments never take away from the intense experience. Although, some one-off lines might not be as quickly picked up as others, depending on what you’ve already seen.
Of course, given how Highest 2 Lowest is a Spike Lee movie, there’s a variety of cinematography choices that make it stand out. In specific moments, you’re treated to the whimsy of one film format then back to another. At other points, it can throw you into the height of a chase scene and the next, it can put you into a lively street festival with some jazzy flair. However, the film still makes you feel like you’re a part of New York City’s culture by moving the narrative into these unique set pieces. This couldn’t be done without Matthew Libatique, who really brings his special tastes into these moments.
While Highest 2 Lowest is a special story, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have its flaws. Specifically, some of the editing and transition choices between scenes might give some a bit of a whiplash or feel unusually out of place. They can also draw out certain sequences, particularly in the third act, that don’t provide much resolve until the end. In addition, some of the dialogue choices, especially during those one-on-one conversations involving King, can either feel too overemphasized or too robotic. Fortunately, these moments are a few as most moments of dialogue truly work in giving these characters depth.
Highest 2 Lowest is not just Spike Lee’s most culturally experimental film to date, but also a powerful modern retelling of Akira Kurosawa’s thriller. In fact, this film proves that Spike Lee has still got it. Even though this film was barely marketed and released last minute, it certainly stands to be in the top ten films directed by Lee.
Highest 2 Lowest releases in theaters on August 15 and begins streaming on Apple TV+ on September 5.
Rating: ★★★★
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.