Tupac - Resurrection (Widescreen Edition)

The influential career and tragic death of Tupac Shakur is explored in a powerful documentary focusing on the slain rap visionary. Through archival interviews and rare footage, Shakur "narrates" his own life story. What follows is a harrowing examination of the respected rhymer's tumultuous existence, as well as a look at his enduring legacy. 112 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Surround; Subtitles: English; audio commentary; deleted scenes; interviews; music videos; featurette; theatrical trailers.

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