Back in 1963, Akria Kurosawa delivered a powerful film called High and Low. It centered on a businessman who was facing possible personal ruin in the aftermath of a kidnapping plot. It’s long been held by many as a classic. And now, the tale gets new life.

This summer, Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest debuted at the Cannes Film Festival. Following a short theatrical run, it dropped on Apple TV+ on September 5. The film is a reimaging of the Kurosawa classic, updating the story to a music mogul in New York City.

The film centers on the great David King (Denzel Washington), who is at a crossroads with his record label. He has an offer to sell, but it would mean seeing what’s he’s built become something else for someone else. Or he could leverage all he has to try and buy control and take the label in a new direction. He’s on the cusp of closing that deal when he gets word that his son—Trey (Aubrey Joseph)—has been taken.

The kidnapper calls, demanding $17.5 million in ransom. It’s about all King has, meaning he’d have to give up on his business plans. But he’s ready to do anything for his son. But it turns out, his son hasn’t been kidnapped. Trey returns home fine. It’s Trey’s friend—the son of King’s driver Paul (Jeffrey Wright)—who has been taken. Despite the mistake, the kidnapper remains firm, demanding a $17.5 million payment.

After dwelling on the possibilities, King agrees. He withdraws the funds and makes a plan with the police to deliver the money. They plan to track the kidnappers, protect his money, and return Paul’s son, safely. But the plan goes awry. And in the aftermath, King is forced to make some hard choices and take a hard look at his life.

If you’ve seen the original, you’ll have a good idea where this is going. This film, while updated and set in a different world, follows the basic outline of the plot here. It’s not about where the story is going, it’s about how it’s delivered.

Lee has long been a quintessential New York filmmaker. He plies that skill here, too. From the opening montage to some of the action sequences set on the subway, this is a film that captures and celebrates New York. It was one the aspects I liked best. I also liked some of the original music, including a killer song to close the film.

There are also some solid performances. Washington does a nice job, even if the early bits of the film around him are choppy and uneven. Some of his closing sequences opposite ASAP Rocky are great, too, despite not having a great scene partner. He’s another of the best aspects of the film.

But it doesn’t all work. It lacks some of the juice that typically makes Lee’s other films stand out and feel like something special. It is missing an edge and feels meandering at times. That’s particularly a problem during the first hour, which drags and feels awkward. While the back half of the film is more interesting, it never capitalizes on its potential, nor reaches the heights of the original. It’s fine, but not memorable or special.

It’s a bold swing to adapt a classic. There was some merit in the path taken here and some things to like. But, overall, I couldn’t help feeling this was an unnecessary return to a classic film.

Highest 2 Lowest is now streaming on Apple TV+.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.