Highest 2 Lowest Review: A Bold NYC Thriller That Peaks Late but Stumbles Where It Matters

Spike Lee’s NYC-set remake boasts powerhouse performances from Denzel Washington and Jeffrey Wright.

Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest is a bold, stylish reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low, this time set in modern-day New York City. While the film boasts powerhouse performances from Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, and A$AP Rocky, it struggles to make its central kidnapping plot feel urgent, leaving much of the tension deflated.

When a titan music mogul (Washington), known for having “the best ears in the business,” becomes the target of a ransom scheme, he faces a life-or-death moral dilemma. The “wrong person kidnapped” twist should raise the stakes, but here the procedural urgency never fully clicks.

Washington and Lee reunite for their fifth collaboration, surrounded by a strong supporting cast that includes Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, and A$AP Rocky. While the premise mirrors Kurosawa’s original, the execution feels far less gripping.

Star Power Keeps the Film Afloat

Washington delivers the kind of steady, commanding performance audiences have come to expect, anchoring the film with gravitas. Wright is magnetic and grounded, particularly in his scenes opposite Washington. A$AP Rocky, though underused, injects charisma into his limited screen time, delivering one of the film’s more memorable supporting turns.

Unfortunately, the ensemble portraying law enforcement leans toward broad, almost caricature-like portrayals, robbing the story of the tight police procedural energy it needs.

New York City Steals the Spotlight

Lee’s passion for New York is undeniable. The cinematography and city atmosphere give the film a rich, lived-in texture. The movie sharpens into something genuinely compelling whenever Washington and Wright share the screen, particularly in the third act.

Still, Highest 2 Lowest never nails the gut-punch intensity a kidnapping thriller demands. Instead of sustained dread, the investigation feels oddly casual. A mid-movie slump further dilutes the tension, making the late-game rally feel like too little, too late.

The score, intended to amplify the drama, often undercuts it, with mismatched tones that undermine key moments.

A Stylish Effort That Falls Short of Greatness

Lee’s love for cinema, music, and the city is evident in every frame. Yet the uneven pacing and underwhelming stakes keep Highest 2 Lowest from reaching the greatness of its source material. Kurosawa’s High and Low remains a benchmark for the genre, and this update only flirts with the same level of intensity.

Verdict

I give Highest 2 Lowest a 2.5 out of 5 stars. For fans of Washington and Wright, there’s enough here to justify a watch, particularly once it hits streaming. But for those seeking a truly gripping kidnapping drama, there are better options. A strong third act and standout performances make it worth watching, yet it’s far from a high point in Lee’s filmography.

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