Highest 2 Lowest
★★★ 1/2
Spike Lee is one of the most influential filmmakers working today—not just because he’s one of the premier black filmmakers of our time, but because his movies bear a signature style that is unmistakably his own. When you sit down for a Spike Lee joint, you know you’re in the hands of a storyteller who’s going to give you something layered, bold and distinctly “Spike.”
Highest 2 Lowest almost plays like a reflection on his own legacy, as well as that of Denzel Washington, who stars as a highly regarded record producer caught in a moral bind after his son is kidnapped. The film shines in these moments of ethical struggle, weaving in questions of legacy, cultural context and—most pointedly—what it means to stay relevant in a world obsessed with who’s in the conversation, not necessarily who’s producing lasting art.
I love when a movie tackles big themes while still trying to keep things entertaining, but this is where the film wobbles a bit. On paper it’s a crime thriller, but that makes it sound heavier than it is. The action sequences are enjoyable, though nothing particularly groundbreaking. Still, it’s always a pleasure to see Spike frame New York City in all its messy glory, from the Brooklyn Bridge to a subway packed with Yankee diehards.
Not everything lands. The score feels mismatched with the tone, and the film sometimes drifts between Spike’s inspired, fully-realized set pieces (there’s one in a recording studio that absolutely floored me) and others that feel more routine, like he’s just moving the story along. You can sense the scenes where he’s really invested and the ones where the spark dims.
That said, this is still an entertaining ride, powered by a strong Washington performance and the always reliable Jeffrey Wright. I also got a kick out of realizing mid-movie that I had no idea what A$AP Rocky actually looked like—cue me laughing at myself and flashing the “old man card.” Maybe, like Denzel’s character, I’m not always plugged into what’s trending, but movies like Highest 2 Lowest are a sharp reminder of why staying in the cultural conversation still matters. This isn’t top-tier Spike, but is a thoughtful, engaging film with standout performances and moments that stick.
