“Highest 2 Lowest” is one of the better Spike Lee films, especially in recent years. (I am a big fan of his, despite Lee being the world’s most avid NY Knicks fan.) As it is now streaming on Apple TV+, I am rating “Highest 2 Lowest” a MUST-SEE, since it requires no expense or effort for most of you to see it! Spike has previously worked with Denzel on four prior films, but Denzel was much younger then. This movie, especially the first 30 minutes, is based on a much earlier film by Akira Kurosawa: “High and Low” (1963), but it then veers off into a different direction. (Kurosawa is best known for his all-time classic “The Seven Samurai” (1954), on which “The Magnificent 7” (1960) is based.) Denzel is great (as usual), and I think his performance is AAW. The film starts off at a leisurely pace, but really “moves along” (check picture for pun) after 30 minutes.
David King (Denzel) is an extremely rich record label owner who owns some of “Stackin’ Hits” record company. He originally owned it all and regrets selling off part of the company. He had “the best ears in the business” and had signed unknown artists who became big stars. He now has an opportunity to buy the whole company back, but this will require him to risk his fortune, including his high-rise condo in Brooklyn, overlooking the beautiful Manhattan skyline. His wife, Pam (Ilfenesh Hadera), is opposed to David putting their home at risk, especially since she was expecting him to sell his remaining shares – essentially retiring – and then spending more time with her and their teenage son, Trey (Aubrey Joseph). Just as the deal is about to go down, Trey gets kidnapped! The kidnapper wants 17.5 million Swiss franks, which will make King’s buy-out impossible!
I can’t say anymore about the plot, but there are twists and turns along the way. There is also considerable suspense, occasional comic relief, and an excellent performance by the kidnapper, Yung Felon (A$AP Rocky). This is the best streaming movie I have seen since the terrific “Hit Man” (see the review if you haven’t seen it yet)!
"Highest 2 Lowest" is one of the better Spike Lee films, especially in recent years. (I am a big fan of his, despite Lee being the world's most avid NY Knicks fan.) As it is now streaming on Apple TV+, I am rating "Highest 2 Lowest" a MUST-SEE, since it requires no expense or effort for most of you to see it! Spike has previously worked with Denzel on four prior films, but Denzel was much younger then. This movie, especially the first 30 minutes, is based on a much earlier film by Akira Kurosawa: "High and Low" (1963), but it then veers off into a different direction. (Kurosawa is best known for his all-time classic "The Seven Samurai" (1954), on which "The Magnificent 7" (1960) is based.) Denzel is great (as usual), and I think his performance is AAW. The film starts off at a leisurely pace, but really "moves along" (check picture for pun) after 30 minutes. David King (Denzel) is an extremely rich record label owner who owns some of "Stackin' Hits" record company. He originally owned it all and regrets selling off part of the company. He had "the best ears in the business" and had signed unknown artists who became big stars. He now has an opportunity to buy the whole company back, but this will require him to risk his fortune, including his high-rise condo in Brooklyn, overlooking the beautiful Manhattan skyline. His wife, Pam (Ilfenesh Hadera), is opposed to David putting their home at risk, especially since she was expecting him to sell his remaining shares – essentially retiring – and then spending more time with her and their teenage son, Trey (Aubrey Joseph). Just as the deal is about to go down, Trey gets kidnapped! The kidnapper wants 17.5 million Swiss franks, which will make King's buy-out impossible! I can't say anymore about the plot, but there are twists and turns along the way. There is also considerable suspense, occasional comic relief, and an excellent performance by the kidnapper, Yung Felon (A$AP Rocky). This is the best streaming movie I have seen since the terrific "Hit Man" (see the review if you haven't seen it yet)!
Highest 2 Lowest: Excellent Crime Thriller!
Highest 2 Lowest: Excellent Crime Thriller!
2025-09-22
David
85
8.5
Great Collaboration between Lee & Washington!
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