Wassup, y’all! Let’s take a moment to acknowledge two of the greatest cinematic leaders to ever do it: Denzel Washington and Spike Lee. When I mention films like Glory, Training Day, or Man on Fire, what performances come to mind?
And when I bring up classics like School Daze, Do The Right Thing, and Da 5 Bloods, what do they stir up emotionally?
Individually, these two legends have delivered unforgettable masterpieces. But together? As a duo?
They’ve given us some of the most iconic pieces of Americana ever made: Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man.
Now, after 19 years, these two juggernauts reunite with Highest 2 Lowest, a new thriller that puts legacy, loyalty, and love on the line.
Does Highest 2 Lowest continue the Washington/Lee tour de force or has time finally passed them by? Let’s get into it.
The Setup: A Power Move With High Stakes
Too high to get over (yeah yeah), too low to get under (yeah yeah), you’re stuck in the mid-daaal (yeah yeah), and the pain is thundaaaah (yeah yeah)…
That lyric hits different in the context of Highest 2 Lowest starring Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, and ASAP Rocky.
Directed by Spike Lee, this marks the fifth collaboration between Lee and Washington, nearly two decades after they last teamed up for Inside Man, which remains an underrated gem of a heist flick.
This time around, Highest 2 Lowest reimagines Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low for a modern American audience.
But in today’s era of TikTok stardom and 5-minute reels being called “art,” can two cinematic veterans still thrive?
Spoiler alert: Real talent never fades.
Washington plays David King, a legendary music mogul with money, power, and respect, but also a growing sense that the culture is shifting without him.
Just as he begins questioning his future in the industry, he receives a chilling phone call: someone’s kidnapped his son.
The anonymous caller demands a ransom so massive it could ruin King financially.
When a costly mistake is made, David must confront a brutal moral dilemma, one that puts him at odds with longtime friend Paul Christopher (played impeccably by Jeffrey Wright).
The First Act Fumbles, But the Payoff Is Worth It
Let’s keep it 100: Highest 2 Lowest starts slow.
Like, real slow. The first act struggles to find its footing.
The characters are well-written, the New York setting is rich with culture and grit, and the cinematography is top-notch, but the plot takes its sweet time getting off the ground.
It starts to feel like we’re just watching pretty people wander through pretty places with no real urgency.
Even the score in the beginning? Meh. Kinda flat. Like, where’s the Spike Lee magic we came for?
Thankfully, that second act kicks in and Spike snaps back with a vengeance.
The story tightens up, secrets unravel, and New York turns into a character all its own, especially during a wild Puerto Rican Day Parade sequence and some chaotic subway drama.
The energy picks up fast and suddenly Highest 2 Lowest has us locked in.
Classic Spike Style With A Few Twists
Once the plot takes hold, Highest 2 Lowest delivers everything we’ve come to love from a Spike Lee joint: bold visuals, gritty emotion, and layered commentary.
The score gets turned all the way up, maybe a little too dramatic at times, but that’s classic Spike.
We even get a few throwback tracks to keep our heads nodding.
And yes, that signature Spike Lee camera trick is in there. Still iconic.
Just when you think you’ve figured out the mystery, Spike throws in a twist that flips the narrative on its head.
That final act keeps things tense, but let’s be honest, some of the stuff Denzel’s character pulls off is kinda hard to believe for a 70-year-old man.
Still, he sells it because… he’s Denzel.
The supporting cast holds it down too.
Wright is excellent, and Hadera shines. As for ASAP Rocky? He’s good, not great.
Maybe not the strongest casting choice, but he holds his own.
Final Verdict: Not Their Best, But Far From Their Worst
So, is Highest 2 Lowest the best Denzel Washington and Spike Lee collaboration we’ve seen? Nah.
But it’s definitely not the worst and it’s way better than most of what’s out there right now.
It’s a timely, thought-provoking thriller with just enough edge to keep you talking after the credits roll.
I’m officially co-signing Highest 2 Lowest. Check it out.
We don’t know how many more films we’ll get from this legendary duo, so appreciate these moments while we still can.
These GOATs deserve all the flowers and all the cheese.
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