Highest 2 Lowest

Highest 2 Lowest 

Directed by Spike Lee 

"All money ain't good money", the mantra said repeatedly by New York music mogal David King. King, played by the One Of A Kind Hollywood Royalty Denzel Washington, is rich, famous and well respected. "The best ears in the business" people like to say. While he's not washed up, his glory heydays are definitely behind him. In fact, his record label is getting ready to sell to a competitor, lighting a fire under his ass. 

While all this is happening, a kidnapping plot is taking place as well except they accidentally grab the son of a family friend, thinking Denzel is his father. Oof bad day! The legendary Spike Lee reunites with Denzel for the first time in nearly 20 years, the fact that it's for a "reimagining" of a Kurosawa flick, High and Low, makes this simply irresistible to a movie lover like me. 

HIGHEST 2 LOWEST is a lot of fun, but in spurts. There's a bit of meandering here and there, lots and lots of monologues. Some of the dialogue is electric and some scenes just kinda wander aimlessly. It takes a minute to really get going, but above all us Denzel is mesmerizing. Often speaking in sort of slam poetry rap, Denzel is fully in control of the character and sometimes under plays what would normally be a bit more of scenery chewing. 

The film is often quite funny, and has a lot to say about the music industry as well as what it means to be a black artist today. You can always count on Spike Lee for substance and subtext, hell sometimes it just TEXT. This being Spike, the New York City photography is simply stunning and eventually New York becomes the other main character. Theres a big subway chase near the end that is equally thrilling as well as funny. "BOSTON SUCKS!" a Yankees fan screams looking straight in the camera. 

Come for the Hollywood legends, stay for the completely electric edge of your seat war of words climax between Denzel and the kidnapper. It's a shame this didn't get a proper theatrical release and is being dumped on Apple TV.

Spike and Denzel deserve better. All $$$ ain't good 

$$$, ya dig? 

☆☆☆ out of 4