Spike Lee returns to the big screen with his latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low. Starring Denzel Washington as music executive David King, the movie follows King’s struggle to save his record label from a corporate takeover after Kyle, his friend’s son, is mistakenly kidnapped.
As expected, Lee showcases New York City in all its glory, featuring iconic landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Financial District. However, the sightseeing comes at the expense of the story, which suffers from clunky dialogue and a disjointed flow.
The plot meanders, with the kidnapping serving as a mere backdrop for Lee’s commentary on wealth and its corrosive influence. Unfortunately, this theme is never fully explored, leaving the film feeling shallow.
Denzel Washington and Jeffrey Wright deliver subpar performances, with stilted line deliveries that detract from the overall quality of the film. Even Spike Lee’s signature style cannot elevate the poor storytelling and acting.
Highest 2 Lowest fails to join Lee’s ranks of great films, such as Do the Right Thing and Malcolm X. With flashes of style but a weak narrative and subpar performances, this remake falls short of expectations.
Source: https://dallas.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/highest-2-lowest-movie-review