Highest 2 Lowest

This seems to be the first Spike Lee movie I have bothered to see in the cinema for a while. Because it seemed like one of his bigger productions and didn't seem like it was going to bash you over the head with a message about racism. Because the problem with most black American movies is they tend to be either hood movies or go down the racism is a bad thing trope. Spike has many of these under his belt. This actually seemed like a movie in which race didn't matter.

Now this is apparently based off another book and movie but not ones Id come across which was a good thing. No judging this based off other media.

What this is, is a story about a record label boss who ends up being extorted through a kidnapping plot. Not very Spike but actually quite engaging. There's even a few decent action scenes thrown in. But being a Spike movie there are the usual nods to black culture and social commentary style rants. And music.

What stops this from being a great film as opposed to a good one is it's just fat too long. If it ended 30 mins earlier than it does most people would have been happy. But instead there's two additional music scenes that really add nothing. It's also a fairly obvious plot.

Spikes best movies were his earliest ones even if his newer movies are technically better. But they certainly don't carry the same weight. Must be the fact the current culture simply isn't as good as it was in the 80s.

Spike Lee has always been the perfect definition of a hit or miss as he has made some great movies like Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, She's Gotta Have It, Jungle Fever, and so on. At the same time, he has made some pretty awful movies, particular Oldboy (2013) and Miracle at St. Anna. With his latest film, based on a reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa's classic "High and Low", it falls quite flat and rough.

For starters, there are some nice camerawork that helps presents the atmosphere and environment. Creating the vibe and energy of the city of New York. Lee does offer some fresh themes and concepts about it's characters, writing, and the political aspects, however it all feels confused, misplaced, and messy. The writing feels as if this new reinterpretation didn't offer anything special or interesting to the original and book, as if Lee confuses with what he wants to present and display. Alongside with some laughable bad dialogue, the performances are a mix bag. Denzel Washington does provide his best as his energy and personality is good. However some of the other performances are honestly pretty bad, particularly Ilfenesh Hadera. Almost as if the performances are TV levels of acting or being intentionally awful.

The production designs and structure feels cheap and dated, almost as if the movie is having a Hallmark and Lifetime approach. The musical score is one of the worst aspects about this movie as it's presentation, sounding, and how the music is used is all over the place, messy, and atrocious. Regarding pacing, it drags, as the pacing remains uneven and it's first and second act really struggles. However, around it's third act, it does pick up with some interesting and good thrilling moments.

I'm honestly kind of surprised with the positive reviews because audiences and critics have been raving this reinterpretation, however I found it to be tedious and frustrating. I do appreciate it isn't as disgraceful as Lee's remake of "Oldboy" (which I'm glad to hear he has since disowned the movie). However, no matter what, it's pretty clear that it's best to stay away from remaking classics because it ain't worth it.

I loved seeing Spike Lee and Denzel Washington teaming up again for a new film. From start to finish, though, the movie felt scattered-jumping around with no clear plot or objective. As expected, Denzel did his thing and really carried it. A$AP Rocky wasn't bad, and Ilfenesh Hadera held her own, but overall the film was just... okay. At times, it definitely gave off Godfather of Harlem vibes, and it was New York through and through from beginning to end.

Movie Grade:C-/C.

Expected more from Spike Lee. Very misfitting score that belonged in a Star Wars type film. We don't need loud distracting music over every scene. The double edited shots were also distracting and over done. Bad acting from many of the supporting cast. Slow start, could have easily tightened the edit. This film didn't seem to know what it was. No clear vision. A little preachy. And a kind of dull story line with no twist!

The overall good reviews suckered me into giving this a chance but it was a major letdown. I haven't rolled my eyes and thought "this is so cringe" so many times in a movie before. TERRIBLE editing and pacing. Very boring...jumping around skipping crucial scenes you'd expect to see. It seemed like it was written by a 13 year old. Some very bad acting...almost walked out early on but was hoping for a payoff that never really comes. Out of the whole 2+ hours there was maybe like 5 minutes of what I would call good or interesting choices. It's so over the top and cheesy, including most of the music that is getting undeserved praise. A lot of times it doesn't fit with what's happening on the screen much at all. A24 should be ashamed of being attached to this.