Tupac - Resurrection (2003)

78% of critics liked it
(86 reviews)
87% of users liked it
(11,321 ratings)

Many unauthorized video titles have been released about the life of rap superstar Tupac Shakur. Tupac: Resurrection is the only one to be both executive produced by his mother, former Black Panther Afeni Shakur, and benefit from access to the MTV archives. The documentary is the feature-length debut… More Many unauthorized video titles have been released about the life of rap superstar Tupac Shakur. Tupac: Resurrection is the only one to be both executive produced by his mother, former Black Panther Afeni Shakur, and benefit from access to the MTV archives. The documentary is the feature-length debut for director Lauren Lazin, who has created several highly rated programs for both MTV and PBS. Using voice-overs, interviews, and other vocal tracks recorded by the late artist himself, the film explores his life, music, and death from fatal gunshot wounds in 1996. Includes rare footage, home movies, private photographs, and excerpts from his personal poetry, journals, and letters. During the making of the film, MTV reached out to his fan base by requesting submissions of Tupac memorabilia to be used in the film. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 55 min.
Directed By: Lauren Lazin
Genres: Documentary, Television, Musical & Performing Arts

In Theaters: Jan 22, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Jun 15, 2004
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
It's amazing stuff.
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
It never addresses the problem that the more Tupac opens his mouth to explain what his music is or isn't about, and what role in society it is or isn't supposed to serve, the more obvious it becomes that his views aren't reflected in the actual music.
Mike Clark, USA Today
It's great to hear a person no longer with us captured so bountifully in interviews, talking and even bubbling about his friends, his legacy and his scrapes.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
[An] absorbing experience.
James Sullivan, San Francisco Chronicle
Fans, of course, will devour this film, but there's plenty to chew on for the uninitiated as well.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
This film's title is accurate. Tupac Shakur is more alive than he's ever been -- and more endlessly fascinating than ever.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Gripping documentary, see it with your teens.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
The winning conceit of producer/director Lauren Lazin's flamboyant documentary about the life of Tupac Shakur is that the late rapper's voice is the primary source the audience hears.
Kam Williams, Afro-American
Whether he's dead or alive, this film reveals Tupac to be a scared, skinny kid with a gun, and a vulnerable human being who could easily be pierced by bullets, just like the rest of us.
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness
A dishearteningly incomplete portrait.
Dan Jardine, Apollo Guide
This is a well-stocked DVD, with a wealth of special features to its credit.
Dan Jardine, Apollo Guide
The film would have been strengthened if it had been a little more willing to challenge Tupac's behaviour.
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
A must-see not only for fans of Shakur's music but for anyone who appreciates a well-told life story.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bobby H

One of my favorite documentaries of all time. Even if you never listened too Tupac, or rap all that much, you'd still probably be interested in the story of his life, if you gave this movie a shot.
George R

Undeniably more faithful to how a biopic movie than others. 2Pac was one of the greatest Rappers out there, & I'm thankful I got a chance to meet this guy at the age of 6 (one year after I met Chris Wallace). I was a Compton boy. May his soul rest in peace.
Mike T

I enjoyed this movie a lot. An absorbing, unique documentary that really depicts how remarkable of a person Tupac was. And I don't even like rap music.
MJS M

A 2003 documentary about the life and times of rapper Tupac Shakur. What?s unique about the film is that while Tupac was alive he had given so many interviews that they were able to edit them all into a consistent narrative, as such the movie is entirely narrated by the film?s… More
A 2003 documentary about the life and times of rapper Tupac Shakur. What?s unique about the film is that while Tupac was alive he had given so many interviews that they were able to edit them all into a consistent narrative, as such the movie is entirely narrated by the film?s subject even though he had been killed years before the film went into production. This easily could have been corny, but the filmmakers approached it with the seriousness of a historian. Also, the production values on this are great, for a movie that consists almost entirely of archival footage this must have had a relatively huge budget. The approach has it?s weaknesses, namely that Tupac is not exactly the most objective observer of his life and he doesn?t have the benefit of hindsight. I suspect that if he?d lived to look back on everything that?s here his narration would be pretty different. Still, this is a great and unique doc about a talented and fascinating person.
Wu C

A nice portrait the rise and death of Tupac Shakur.
Audrey L

I watched this documentary,not knowing much about this man beyond his gangster rapper reputation.I am not a fan of gangster rap,but this young man was an amazingly intelligent,insightful tour de force. He did indeed have talent for his genre but more importantly,he had great insight… More
I watched this documentary,not knowing much about this man beyond his gangster rapper reputation.I am not a fan of gangster rap,but this young man was an amazingly intelligent,insightful tour de force. He did indeed have talent for his genre but more importantly,he had great insight into society and politics.I learned a great deal from this film,and understand how his death resonated around the world. A modern day poet and social satirist-with lasting influence on his fans.
FanGirl B

I didn't want to see this movie but I had to watch it for a class. Unless you're already interested in Tupac, skip it.