Tupac: Resurrection (2003)

Title aside, we'll never see the likes of Tupac Shakur again. The late rap superstar was a complex, contradictory figure and, throughout the course of this riveting documentary, it's as if he's back in our world again. Produced by his mother, former Black Panther Afeni Shakur, Tupac Resurrection isn't so much "biased" as it's subjective. In the MTV film, accompanied by a book and soundtrack, director Lauren Lazin looks at Tupac's short, full life from beginning to end and doesn't avoid the dark times--the arrests, the shootings--but she does tend to emphasize the positive over the negative. More to the point, the narration comes from Tupac himself, smoothly edited from countless interviews, so we're constantly getting his take on events. He's more thoughtful and articulate than his detractors might expect (despite the profanity), but the contradictions remain, making this essential viewing for even the most casual of fans. --Kathleen C. Fennessy Amazon.com

Very Good Look At This Tragic Star

I just re-watched this last night and let me say, its still just as powerful as it was when I first viewed it. If all you know of Tupac Shakur is his time at Death Row Records, his sexual abuse case and his death under the specator of the East Coast/West Coast thing, then you need to peep this.

A lot of people don't know that was actually a trained actor from a very prestigious arts school in Baltimore, MD and not just some thug who got a part in a film because he was a rapper. Don't believe me? Then watch the film as he's shown with classmates such as Jada Pinkett-Smith (that's right, Will Smith's wife) and other stars that are big now. They also show him with established stars such as Jasmine Guy (Whitley Gilbert from A Different World), Mickie Rourke and even Madonna in her younger days.

Admittedly, I wasn't a huge 2PAC fan as I felt he was a bit overrated as a rapper (though he was FAR better than the crowd that we got now, especially Kanye West)! He was, however, an intelligent and (when he wanted to be) very articulate man. Not a bad actor either. That makes this even more tragic.

Just my opinion but he, in part, brought about his own death. While I have no doubt he was set up, a lot of choices he made towards the end of his life contributed to his early demise in my view.

Anyway, its probably the most comprehensive look at this guy that you will ever see in my opinion. This one gets high marks from me! July 18, 2008

education

Excellent, provides insight into a complex individual and the substance of the hip hop world. For many who dismiss Tupac it isa must see to enlighten. To many that do not know Tupac it is a must see to educate. May 1, 2008

If You Love Tupac The Get This

Ive been a fan of Tupac for years and have had this DVD for a few years now and it was awesome. I run a Tupac website so I already knew a lot of what the movie was about but trust me theres something in this movie for everyone. This is truely a great movie and I recommend it to anyone. The movie is narrated by Tupac in his words and no one else, which is what makes it great! From cradle to the grave you hear Tupacs life told by Tupac himself. The end of the movie made me cry so hard because Tupac was an idol to me growing up and anyone who gets who Tupac really was knows what Im talking about. Hes was more than a "rapper" and this movie will hopefully show you the other side of Tupac in his words. April 30, 2008

Do you live in Europe?

I bought this DVD just to find out it was the wrong format- Cannot play it here in Europe. Anyway, since I was looking so much forward to seeing this movie, I ended up buying another copy here. The movie is great so buy it, yes, but remember to varify the format first. And I have no problem with the service from Amazon- its great! May 14, 2007

"They say it's the white man I should fear/But it's my own kind doing all the killing here..."

This is a great documentary that lets Tupac speak for himself through his own eloquent words, his own testimony on his life, views, message, all of it the foundation of his legacy. His existence, brief though it was, makes for an engrossing story that is at times greatly disturbing, at others just as captivating. It's always tragic when an artist with so much talent dies far too soon, and as intended Tupac's senseless murder casts a shadow over the entirety of Resurrection. That infamous last photograph of him looking back through the car window as he's leaving the Las Vegas casino moments before his fatal shooting should haunt anyone. At least a hundred songs written and never recorded? A mere twenty-five years on planet earth? Although I'm inviting criticism by saying this, I'll never understand a culture of violence that strikes at the brightest and most charismatic among its own. February 3, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...