Tupac Resurrection

 

Picture: B+     Sound: B+     Extras: B     Film: B

 

 

Let’s face it, Tupac Resurrection (2003) could have been used as a propaganda piece like so many documentaries that are made after a tragic death, in an attempt to keep that person alive, at least in commercial terms.  Tupac Resurrection manages to stick with the essential facts and pulls together some interesting material that will leave some shocked on just what a good production this turned out to be, it refrained from being a sappy, overly annoying, eulogy. 

 

Some critics felt that this film was a very slanted viewpoint on the complex rapper, whose life ended shortly after his rise to stardom, which the details around his murder are still a mystery to the public.  Whether or not there is total truth to this document on Tupac’s life to not, the use of home movies, photographs, poetry, songs, and various other techniques used to tell ‘his story’ are done effectively enough to draw out some reactions and thoughts towards this very unique individual.  Tupac, unlike many of the modern rappers, knew the thug life inside and out and rapped about what he knew, rather than what he thought that he knew.  There are so many disillusions when it comes to the easy money lifestyle that gets mixed within the urban culture. 

 

There are few that can deny his talent or his ability as an icon both before his death and after, which has left a legacy unfulfilled.  Sure, there have been some rappers come and go, but few have been able to bring the street life to the mainstream in the same way.  This is even the first directorial effort from Lauren Lazin and demonstrates some real talent, even with some of the flaws within the production; this is surely a good start.  Using some of the same editing techniques as in The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002) about Paramount producer Robert Evans, a third dimension is added to the pictures that are cut and pasted with various graphic designs in order to capture a different effect.  Photographs of Tupac are manipulated with other pictures or color schemes to give them new life.  Prerecorded audio clips provide all of the voice-over narration from Tupac himself.

 

The film runs around 90-minutes and covers the rise and fall of this man from his youth as he dealt with the urban life to his educational experiences.  From those experiences he honed his craft of rapping and was recognized enough to become part of the successful group known as The Digital Underground, which he was originally only suppose to be in the background of this group, but his talent put him on the lead rap lyrics on certain songs and gave him the clout to establish himself as a solo artist.  There have been many tributes made to Tupac since his death and this is certainly one of the best along with 2002’s Biggie and Tupac. 

 

Paramount has really gone the extra mile with the supplements to the film, which will have fans of Tupac in ecstasy.  First, there is commentary provided by Tupac’s mom, director Lazin, and a few mystery guests, which I won’t spoil at this time.  There is a handful of deleted scenes and interview, which work as an appendix to the film, rather than just cut material.  There are a few music videos and other knick-knacks that will keep you busy for a bit as well as entertained.  This is exactly the type of edition that admirers of Tupac would have wanted, which runs about 3 hours in total time. 

 

For this release Paramount has stuck with their standard presentation of a 1.85 X 1 anamorphic widescreen transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 mix.  The picture and sound is on par with average these days and with DVD still not being a High Definition format the picture quality is limited, even with the best of transfers.  The sound, on the other hand, is still using the lower bit rate for Dolby Digital and therefore lacks much of the fidelity due to the compression in order to have room on the disc.  Dolby seems to be preferred by Paramount, but in the cases where they have gone with DTS, such as the Special Edition of Clear and Present Danger, The Hunt for Red October, and Patriot Games, the DTS blows the Dolby away!  Now these films have all the punch they were suppose to have with their sound design.  Tupac Resurrection would have benefited for the simple fact that this is a music driven film! 

 

Music needs to be experienced in the best possible way and since only DTS can deliver a more approximate experience, it should have been considered.  Instead we get a very forward sounding audio presentation, which is fine, but still not near what DTS could have given.  The extras are the real kicker with this edition and since the film is surprisingly more engaging than most thought, it might be a keeper DVD.

 

 

-   Nate Goss