One of the most acclaimed actor-director duos in the history of American cinema reunited this week with the filmHighest 2 Lowest. Directed bySpike Leeand headlined byDenzel Washington, it has turned out to betheir top-rated film ever, which is no mean feat, considering they’ve delivered classics such asMalcolm XandInside Manin the past.Highest 2 Lowestmarks Apple’ssecond theatrical play of the year, following the record-breaking success of the sports dramaF1.
Unlike that film, directed byJoseph Kosinski, headlined byBrad Pittand released by Warner Bros.,Highest 2 Lowestis beingdistributed theatrically by A24. The movie is based on theAkira Kurosawapolice proceduralHigh and Low. It’s currentlysitting at a “certified fresh” 90% scoreon the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the critics’ consensus reads, “Spike Lee and Denzel Washington remix a classic with vibrantly contemporary results inHighest 2 Lowest, a swaggering thriller that lovingly showcases New York City.” The film’s audience score on RT is just as impressive, at 89%.
In her review, Collider’sTherese Lacsonwrote, “Vibrant, loud, and full of life,Highest 2 Lowestis an upbeat film that is a tonal shift from the original, but, thanks in large part to Washington’s powerhouse performance, it is a delight to watch.” It’s Lee and Washington’s first film together sinceInside Man, which debuted nearly two decades ago, and currently holds an 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The duo’s other films includeMalcolm X(89%),Mo’ Better Blues(71%), andHe Got Game(80%).
Both Lee and Washington Are Coming Off Of Highly Acclaimed Works
The Oscar-winning Lee hasn’t had a theatrical film since 2018’sBlacKkKansman, which grossed over $90 million worldwide, against a reported budget of $15 million. In 2020, he released the epic adventure filmDa 5 Bloodson Netflix; with a budget of around $40 million, it’s one of Lee’s most expensive movies. Washington, on the other hand, received widespread acclaim last year for his supporting performance inRidley Scott’sGladiator II, which made over $460 million worldwide.Highest 2 Lowestwill debut on Apple TV+ following its theatrical run. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
Highest 2 Lowest
