Is Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest a Masterpiece or a Mistake?

Spoiler Timestamp: 5:27 Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest is here, with Denzel Washington leading the charge in a modern reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low. But does Spike pull it off, or does the film fall short of the original masterpiece? In this video, I break down Highest 2 Lowest with a non-spoiler review first covering the story setup, performances, visuals, and score before diving into the spoiler section where I discuss the biggest changes from Kurosawa’s classic, the strengths, and the flaws. From Denzel’s commanding performance to ASAP Rocky’s surprising role, from Spike’s bold pro-Black messaging to the unique New York cinematography, this movie has plenty to talk about. But is it a masterpiece, or just a decent remake for modern audiences? Watch the full review, and let me know in the comments: Do you think Spike Lee did justice to Kurosawa’s original?