"Tupac: Resurrection" Released on DVD

Seven months after its theatrical release, Paramount Home Video released Tupac: Resurrection on DVD on June 15, 2004. In addition to the film with a running time of 112 minutes, the edition contained plenty of bonus material.

What Is on the Disc

On the audio commentary, Tupac’s mother Afeni Shakur and director Lauren Lazin speak, joined at times by Treach of Naughty by Nature and Snoop Dogg. In addition, there are four deleted scenes, including a conversation in which Tupac makes MTV host Tabitha Soren sweat, two rare interviews, and his appearance at the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement banquet.

Unusual is a statement that Tupac gave under oath on June 28, 1995, in proceedings in which the family of a killed police officer held his music partly responsible. The DVD also contains the videos for “Trapped” and “Brenda’s Got a Baby”, Eminem and 50 Cent on their favorite songs, recollections from Mary J. Blige, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Marlon Wayans, an interview with Tupac’s stepfather Mutulu Shakur, and a short film about the foundation’s planned arts center.

The Critics’ Verdict

Slant Magazine praised the transfer’s picture and sound. Critic Ed Gonzalez found the film itself moving, but loud and cluttered in the MTV style; it was not as bold as Nick Broomfield’s Biggie & Tupac.