Tupac: Resurrection DVD Review:

On September 13th 1996 the world lost one of the most influential rappers to ever grace the scene. Musician, actor, producer and activist Tupac Shakur was murdered but his music lives on. This is a life of hardship and triumph that ultimately ends in tragedy but now we get the chance to see most of those short twenty-five years as Tupac tells you about his life, in his own words.

Even long after his death, Tupac Shakur, the man and his music still has impact today. This documentary explores Tupac’s short life and shows you a story about ambition, violence, redemption and love.

Using footage, images and audio from interviews, music videos, B-Roll tapes, photographs and home movies, the documentary cleverly reconstructs Tupac’s life with the late star himself actually narrating this story.

Starting with his childhood, the film reveals Tupac’s humble beginnings as the son of two noted Black Panther activists who grew up on the streets in poverty. From here the movie takes you to his acceptance into the Baltimore School of the Arts where his musical and artistic talent was honed and then onto his first big break when he joined The Digital Underground as a background dancer only to be discovered as a future rap star.

We then witness Tupac’s rise to fame and fortune, as he becomes one of the biggest selling artists during the early 90s. A self-proclaimed voice of the people, the rapper uses his music to get his message across, talking not only to his own community but many others what social class or race. This of course made the star controversial and a target for political groups and activists who didn’t agree with his views.

The final half hour of the documentary covers the darker side of Tupac’s life, highlighting his numerous run-ins with the law and his different court cases. His criminal record and his jail sentence in 1995 are also cover as the film tries to explain the reasons behind his death and the events that led up to it.

Director Lauren Lazin cleverly blends together all the material to produce the story of Tupac life. The most interesting and remarkable aspect of the film however is the use of Tupac himself as narrator. Gathering together sound bites from numerous interviews and discussions, Lazin uses the rapper’s own voice to tell the story. This brings an even greater impact to the movie and fuels the resurrection title of the film.

Tupac: Resurrection is a fascinating insight into the life and times of the influential rap superstar. While it maybe a tad too positive, never really showing a negative side (such as his repercussions of his Gangster persona), the movie is still an interesting watch, even for people who were never fans. With a pounding soundtrack and an excellent visual style, this is a showcase for a shining light that was extinguished far too early.

Star Rating = * * *

BONUS FEATURES

§ Commentary by director/producer Lauren Lazin and exec. producer Afeni Shakur, with the voices of many others

§ "Remembering Tupac" (Jada Pinkett Smith, Snoop Dogg and many others)

Four deleted scenes

Two interviews with Tupac; "Malcolm X Dinner Speech"; "Deposition" (never-before-seen)

"About the RESURRECTION Soundtrack" (includes Eminem, 50 Cent) & Biggie Smalls

Music Videos ("Trapped" and "Brenda's Got a Baby")

Theatrical Trailer and TV Spot

Jamie Kelwick

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