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Tupac - Resurrection

Tupac - Resurrection

List Price: $14.99
Your Price: $11.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Solid Tupac documentary, told biographically with own quotes
Review: "Tupac -- Resurrection" takes a page from the "Peter Tosh -- Stepping Razor/Red X" documentary "book" by basically having Tupac Shakur tell his own story by weaving together snippets of interviews with the rapper himself.
The documentary of reggae legend Tosh did it to better effect, namely because the "Red X" tapes were made by Tosh with the intent to turn them into his own story, spoken in his own voice. And both interesting and sad, Tupac's life and death somewhat mirrors the life of the Jamaican legend who still is put in the shadows of Bob Marley's iconic worship. Tosh also lived by the gun and died by the gun. His gun was his fiery vocals and lyrics, and it was his relentless, don't-back-down stances that made him a target of the government and police who would mark all his government papers with a red "X." And he was beaten by the police on numerous occassions, one time almost being beaten to death. And it was his unflinching demand for equal rights that lead to his death at his home in 1987.
And so, in many ways Tupac is like an American Tosh. He was similarly relentless, and uttered truths in an in-your-face, unabridged manner.
Whereas Tosh's documentary is governed by a sadness stemming from a childhood in which he was abandoned by his father (and had no fatherly presence in his life) and was taunted and teased for being "dark-skinned" -- ultimately all he wanted was love, not just for himself, but for the poor and struggling, and he was seeking the always-elusive truth to bring it to the people (both friend and foe alike), a lonely man always seeking happiness and love, but yet he never truly found it.
In contrast, while Tupac fought for much of the same and had a semi-similar upbringing (lacking a father), he had more support around him (going to the Baltimore arts school), and he was a living, walking contradiction as many who fall under the Gemini sign are, living in many extremes (feminist--misogynist, lover--firebrand, sensitive--hateful). For Tosh, he didn't fly between such opposites -- he was who he was, didn't pander to anyone or anything, but what he believed to be the truth.
So while Tosh's documentary is driven by an underlying sadness of unrequited love, Tupac's movie carries with it a sort of ghostly creepiness, as it begins with him seemingly speaking about his own murder. It may be somewhat light and superficial as many documentaries for fallen icons are, but it doesn't entirely shy away from showing his faults. It may not answer new questions, but it's still worth picking up for any Tupac fan, if only because you have Tupac, like Tosh, telling his own story -- which is arguably the best way to hear his story.
Who knew it? Tosh and Tupac, T and T, related in death.
(get both DVDs, telling stories of two men who never knew each other with Tosh dying just as Tupac's career was getting started, but yet having many striking similarities)

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: compelling view of a man's life
Review: ***1/2 Gangsta' Rap artist Tupac Shakur was gunned down on the streets of Las Vegas in 1996, the end result of the life he led and the people he knew. He was 25. The documentary "Tupac: Resurrection" takes an unusual and interesting approach to its subject, allowing the deceased singer to speak to us, as it were, directly from the grave. The film begins with him commenting on his own murder, then tracing back over the events of his life as a means of both setting the record straight and trying to make some sense out of all that happened to him in his very brief time here on earth.

The film, directed by Lauren Lazin, relies primarily on interviews Tupac gave throughout his short career, supplemented with some additional commentary from those who knew him best. Though he became a lightning rod of controversy due to both his criminal activities and his provocative (i.e. violent, sexist) lyrics, Tupac saw himself more as a "voice of the people," using his music as a vehicle for reaching out to and connecting with the downtrodden, impoverished blacks living in the kinds of ghettoes from which he himself sprang. However, even many well-known black leaders and spokespersons had trouble accepting Tupac's rather rose-colored definition of himself. What's most interesting about "Tupac: Resurrection" is the dichotomy it establishes between the violence, drug use and criminal activities which played so prominent a part in Tupac's life, and the genial, reflective, almost apologetic tone of so much of what we hear him saying. It's hard to know just how much of what has found its way into this film is really raw truth and how much is sugarcoated revisionism designed to "resurrect" and burnish a man's posthumous image and reputation. His views on women come out particularly incoherent and unresolved. Yet, "Tupac: Resurrection" is an intriguing documentary because it gives us a glimpse not only into a strangely conflicted individual but also into the even more bizarre world of corporate thuggery he inhabited. Like many artists who have attempted to speak for the "little people," Tupac became a victim of his own success and celebrity, living the kind of pampered lifestyle that most of the people he was singing about would clearly never know. It's a conflict as old as art itself, and it is one that Tupac, for understandable reasons, was never able to resolve in his own life. Interestingly, however, his brutal death at the hands of murderous rivals, demonstrated that he never made it quite so far from his roots as his lavish lifestyle might otherwise have suggested.

As a document, the film traces Tupac from his early years as the child of two Black Panther members ( a pedigree that, he believes, set him on the path to social crusader early on), through his youth in poverty, his exposure to literature and drama at a performing arts high school in Baltimore, his early attempts at performing, his meteoric rise in the music industry, his years as a controversial celebrity, his burgeoning film career, his continuing battles with police, the first attempt on his life, his conviction for rape, his time in prison, and, finally, to the rivalry between his own West Coast label, Death Row Records, and the East Coast label, Bad Boy Records, which ultimately led to his untimely death. For that little bit of history alone, the film is worth watching.

As someone who knew very little about the life of Tupac - and even less about his music - before watching the movie, I found him to be both appealing and repellant, frightening and charismatic. The film leaves the audience feeling as conflicted as the subject - which is what a truly successful documentary should do after all.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent Resurrection of The True Pirate
Review: 2pac's life was a beautiful one, in being so ugly and scarred and yet showing through in the end with light. He gave us the power to go out on the streets, throw our guns in the gutters, scream "THUG LIFE!" and never regret it.
This movie is best accompanied by the book of the same title. It is so amazingly terrific a documentation of the life of Tupac Amuru Shakur that you starve to know more. But no more will come, unfortunately, because this beautiful and amazing man's life was cut short in a targetted driveby by a white Cadillac on a four-way intersection in The City of Angels. Wether you respect the world of hip-hop or not, you will be amazed by this man's fluency in the arts and self-expression, and his ability to pull himself up from the ugly world of poverty.
THUG LIFE 4 EVAR!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: 5 stars, nothing less.....
Review: After reading some of the reviews here, it was time for me to speak my opinion on Tupac's documentary. First of all, to all the people who are saying this movie is biased and needs an outside view: You guys completely and utterly missed the entire point of the documentary!!! We have already had a trillion documentaries on 2Pac, with an outside view and/or opinion, and many of them have been wrong, inaccurate, or just flat out ignorant. With "Resurrection", we get the TRUTH to who Tupac really was as a person. Why have an outside view?? Nobody can tell Tupac's story better than the man himself. All the lies and false labels the media labeled him throughout the years are finally put to rest.

The film starts off with Pac in the car, with his classic reflective song "Starin Through My Rear View" playing in the background, just before he gets shot and then starts from his childhood in chronilogical order up until his death, literally a visual autobiography. He sheds much light on his life as a young child, his Black Panther heritage, and what the purpose of his music was and stood for. Many of his troubles with the law do indeed take a back seat here, and for good reason. These are things that the press only seem to look at, while choosing to ignore his talents and the positives of his music. We already know he was very controversial, and that he had alot of trouble with the law. Finally, we get to see it from his point of view. He admits that some of his troubles were his fault, and that he didnt take responsibility for some of his actions. At the same time, he points out that some of his cases were unwarranted, and that he was not at fault. For those who have only had a negative view of him, it is highly suggested that you see this movie. Even for those who know much about him already, even if you are a huge fan to begin with, there are some things about him you will definatly learn here.

This isnt about Tupac the artist. It's about Tupac the HUMAN BEING. Overall, Pac was a extremely intelligent, well-read deep thinker, with a charismatic personalty, a sense of humor, and an extremely sensitive side to him. He was also a very angry, confused indivdual as well, and why he was all these things is broken down perfectly in this film.

Tupac wasnt a perfect person, and he made many bad decisions during his life, something he admits during this film. However, we all make bad choices in life. Overall, I think Pac gives an honest (brutal honesty is something you can ALWAYS expect from Pac, whether in his interviews or in his music) view of who he really was. He was far from being the loud-mouthed, ignorant gangsta that the press and the rich, right-winged conservatives put forth (and continue to put forth even today). What he was/is, a revolutionary, a poet, and spokesman for the oppressed young people disenfranchised by the older people who refuse to listen to their pain, and for those who "grew up on the otherside of perfect". Why the mainstream media and upper class conservatives continue to loath his ideas and what he stood for is beyond me. Ignorance and blindness is perhaps the best explanation for that. In any case, love him or hate him, you better start getting used to him, because he is now considered a legend by many, and his music will continue to be played and bought for years to come. He is considered by many to be the biggest musical icon of the last 15-20 years (he's arguably the biggest icon since Michael Jackson), and is perhaps the Elvis Presley of this generation. His voice and words will continue to be heard forever. His legacy wont be dying out anytime soon.

For those who seek to understand him and what he stood for, this movie is a must see. For people who already follow him, it is still a must see.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A great movie...
Review: Being a big fan of Tupac, this was a delight for me. It's a look into Tupac's extraordinary life, which stimulates positive awareness & also serves as a cautionary tale. A must see for any Tupac fan or anyone interested in his life....

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Tupac- Resurrection
Review: Bought the special collecters edition of "Tupac Resurrection" (2003) earlier today. I am very impressed by the way this movie was put together, to have everything in his own words was a real highlight and this is by far the most comprehensive release about him. This movie really gives people an idea of who Pac was, and how he came up while also showing his motivation, struggles, ambitions and influences. I liked the numerous pictures of Pac at different stages of his life and the fact that his own music serves alot of the movies background. The special features menu is full of gems, my personal favourites are the never before seen interviews, and the section entitled "Remembering Tupac" which has music artists, family and friends recollecting. Today (June 16th) is the day Tupac was born, highly recommend getting this DVD for the collection whether your new to Pac or have followed him since his first album like myself. Gone, but never forgotten. One Love.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Looks Like a Winning Documentary!
Review: For any people who are not fans of the rap genre, Tupac Shakur is dead, and this is movie with REAL footage about his tragic and heroic life! Now, you may seem a bit confused to as why, nearly 10 years after the rap legend's death, that they would just be releasing a film on it. It is a tribute to Tupac, a martyr and legend to the rap community. Tupac Ressurection features real footage of Tupac in his younger days all the way up until his brutal shooting, and I am very excited for the whole thing to come out in theaters. This seems like the thing that should be on Biography, not in the movie theater, but whatever the case is, I am finally glad that someone is recognizing this great person for everyting that he has done. For any 50 Cent, Eminem, or Snoop Dogg fans out there, Tupac is the man that gave them inspiration. He practically invented the gangsta rap genre along with the legendary producer Dr. Dre, producer of such albums as The Marshall Mathers LP and Get Rich or Die Tryin'. Not many people in the world have an appreciation for this man, but people like me do, and I hope the rest of the world will open their eyes to Tupac's story. Go see this film! I know it will be informative, and just because it is all real footage doesn't mean that it won't be enjoyable. 8 Mile is gonna be nothin' compared to this!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: All fans will love
Review: I am a big Tupac Shakur fan. This movie is the best documentary of Tupac's life to date. Not only does this movie captures Tupac "Thug life" persona, but it also lets the viewer see his sensitive and funny side. Grrrrrrrreat Movie!!!!!!

Is Tupac Still Alive? Things that makes you say Hmmmmmmm.
Movie comes out 7 years after his death.
Died at the age of 2 5. adds to 7
Died at 4:03. adds to 7

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: We lost a very talented person and entertainer
Review: I been a fan of pac's since the late 80's w/DU. I've been fascinated by his lyrics and his acting abilities. Its a shame that we lost such talent to some ghetto bull s**t, literally!! I'm reading some of these reviews, and its amusing to me how some talk about him as if they knew him real well personally, and as if they were his best friend or something, when they are just some ordinary fan that watches his movies and listens to his music. I mean come on, as far as we know he's just very talented entertainer and thats it! We can't really go as far as saying he's a good person , blah, blah blah, etc, cause we didn't know him personally. People are a trip!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: i loved it
Review: I guess it depends on your taste. I liked the spin of using Tupac's own voice to tell his own story, and including footage from his entire life.

I think it is worth it to buy this and have this in your collection if you are a Tupac fan. The extras on this DVD make this a worthwhile purchase, and you do get your money's worth.

I'm not going to spend a lot of time writing about it, because I see that others have done good reviews. And they do it justice.


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