By Jamila HillebrandStaff Writer
Though seven years have passed since Tupac Shakur’s death, hislegacy is more alive than ever. A slew of posthumous album recordshave been released in his honor, and a new film, Tupac: Resurrection,seeks to prolong studio life after death.
Tupac: Resurrection is a powerful look at Tupac Shakur’s life toldentirely through his eyes. It explores the life of Tupac through hismusic as well as vivid images of the world as he experienced it.
Resurrection starts out with scenes from Las Vegas, where Tupacwas shot, then backtracks to his birth and childhood, how he becameone of the top-selling hip-hop artists of all time and then circlesback to the details of his untimely death.
The movie isn’t another boring “been there, done that” documentarywith interviews and information most have already heard or seen, butan intimate peek into Tupac’s personal life. It shows him through thehappiness and sadness of his childhood, through the ups and downs ofhis professional career, through his romances and his life-alteringmistakes and finally through the lessons he learned.
Resurrection features a number of clips from interviews of Tupacthat have never been released before. But the most intimate parts arethe excerpts from Tupac’s poetry and journals that show the moresensitive and insightful side of the artist.
Throughoutthe movie, Tupac’s own handwriting is taken from his journals andpoetry, and are used to create the title treatments.
Director Lauren Lazin makes a point to show the many sides ofTupac.One makes you laugh to the point of tears as he playsaround on tour or with friends like Jada Pinkett-Smith. However, youalso see the “Thug Life” side of Tupac that discusses the reality oflife and the state of mind of America, as well as the calm,thought-provoking Tupac who predicts his own death and speaks wordsof wisdom.
Tupac: Resurrection is an emotional roller coaster that forcesaudiences to respect him for what he believed in, because what hesays about his life is still valid today.
In his words, “I may not change the world, but I will set thespark off in the mind that does.”
With that, his name will live on.
Tupac: Resurrection is released tomorrow.
