A Spike Lee Joint that raps and speaks its mind.
We begin with a cover version of “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” and a montage of New York City. And then we pull to a condo with Denzel Washington as record mogul David King making a successful business deal on the phone, and then commenting on what a beautiful day it is. So, we might be in for a little treat.
“Highest 2 Lowest” is not only Denzel Washington and Spike Lee’s first collaboration since “Inside Man,” but it’s also a cover version of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film “High and Low.” And both movies are based on Evan Hunter’s (Ed McBain) novel “King’s Ransom.”
In modern times, instead of using shoes, this new version shares its passion for rap music, its poetic values, and it plays a money game a lot better than what was played in “The Pick Up” or “Eenie Meanie.” In fact, I think we can agree that Spike Lee’s filmmaking is ageless. If you doubt that, see his recent films “BlacKKKlansman” or “Da 5 Bloods.”
The record company King owns and operates is Stackin’ Hits Records. He’s a man who not only claims to have “the best ears in the business,” but also believes in hard work and dedication, and wants the best for his basketball playing son Trey (Aubrey Joseph). He also wants to buy back one of his old companies, as a sign of getting back to his past, and bets his home on it. His wife Pam (Ilfenesh Hadera) suggests he should keep moving forward with his life. But he’s persistent.
But that’s going to have to wait when his son gets kidnapped and eventually found. But the kidnappers (led by A$AP Rocky as Yung Felon) hold the wrong kid-Kyle-hostage, and King contemplates on whether or not to pay the ransom. And Jeffrey Wright plays Kyle’s father and King’s friend Paul Christopher, who wants his help in saving his son. The first part of this story gets corny, but the second part picks up the pace, especially when a chase sequence takes place during the Puerto Rican Day Parade, and when we get a confrontation in rap form and even a small rap music video.
We also get Dean Winters, John Douglas Thompson, and LaChanze as the detectives on the case, as well as Ice Spice cameoing with a number near the end of the film. It’s quite a powerful number that represents the tone and poetic values of the film.
“Highest 2 Lowest” continues the connection between Lee and Washington, based on his filmmaking and his acting. They’re both able to represent the right themes in their movies, and in different angles, they’re able to break some rules. In this movie, Washington delivers with the right beats, and he delivers with the right consistency. A swell combination, no more and no less.
Washington doesn’t steal the movie away, because equally excellent work comes from Wright and Rocky. The former looks great with the hat on and speaks his words wisely, while the latter continues to deliver as a rapper and actor (“Dope” and “Monster” are examples).
Again, the first half of the movie has some corny dialogue, but the themes and emotions overshadow that. And plus, the second half knows how to be committed to what it wants to represent in the music world. Those who have dreams, and those who are challenged. And on both sides of the equation, there are honest laughs that aren’t labored, and are actually funny. Even if I didn’t laugh at all the jokes, I still understood the film’s passion and attitude.
I got a look at Kurosawa’s “High and Low” the other day on HBO Max. And I would suggest you do the same before you see “Highest 2 Lowest.” That or read the “King’s Ransom” book. Something to warm you up before it comes to your AppleTV+ account.
Now Playing in Select Theaters
Streaming on AppleTV+ September 5
