Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel

It's really hard to find an objective, unemotional examination of Tupac Shakur and his life. It really is. This documentary is another one of those very emotional takes - and you know it from the opening scenes, the overdub narration. It's really dripping in pathos. I find that hard because it needs to be scraped off to get to the truth.

The really difficult thing about Tupac is the 'black Jesus' tag. Since his death he has been repackaged and reimagined as this latter day Martin Luther King or Malcolm X character - and it seems to fit that he died young and was shot.

Look - Tupac was one of the most bipolar, manic, split personality dudes out there. At different times he wore crip blue and blood red. It wasn't a symbolic thing that was supposed to bring people together - he just went from one crew to the other and he was allowed to do that because he was Tupac and he was rich. There are countless stories about how he could be the nicest guy, he could impart wisdom, how he respected women and ask people to strive to be better... all true no doubt. There are lyrics that disrespect women, are abusive, stories of his behaviour that is impossible to condone, actions that he took that were beyond foolish and lacking in wisdom.

In death he has been painted as a martyr and a sacrifice. He has been claimed as a point of counter culture. He has been seen as a victim of the state (yeah he was too - why was the FBI following him and why did they feed him false information in prison that Biggie was behind him being shot?). As much as he was a firebrand of meaningful political concepts - he was used, he was prone to shallow and immature behaviour, he was deeply flawed, he was at time repulsive and cruel. Comedian Chris Rock makes a point that he wasn't assassinated - he got himself shot. Martin Luther King was assassinated. Malcolm X was assassinated, Bobby Kennedy was assassinated. Tupac got himself shot out of his foolish emotional and egotistical behaviour.

How do we ever resolve this? It makes one of the most compelling characters of modern music culture. He is powerful - no doubt whatsoever he is hugely powerful. If you're looking for a documentary that really turns the corner on that conversation and gets that job done - I'm sorry to say that this isn't it folks. Why? Well it allows itself to get dragged into the tractor beam of sentimentality idolisation too much. It's too heavy in that direction and it's a great shame because it really does prevent it from getting under the surface of a fascinating topic and an incredible man.

(And yes - I do love a lot of Tupac's music and I respect him as a lyricist and as a rapper)

I have seen this movie ! all fans need to buy it ! The best Tupac's history in this movie ! Go and buy it ! I promise, you'll like it ! The whole history of Tupac , picture gallery, extras, interviews etc. Pac forever. West Side for life ! Never before released audio recordings of PAC !

This is without question the best documentary since Beyond The Mat. It's informative, truthful, and intense. The language can practically go insane at some parts, but if you are mature enough, you will really enjoy it.

Tupac would've agreed of the making of this documentary. I believe this is the only documentary ever made of Tupac that ever gave him justice. This is a beautifully put together biography of Tupac's life with plenty of interviews and alot of people who loved him speaking about him and on him. This is definately a must see for tupac fans, and for anyone who has a chance to see this. Don't miss it.

I make it a point to see everything produced about Tupac. This film is far better than "Resurrection" or any of the other bios I've seen. For one thing, it correctly points out that whatever commitment Afeni Shakur showed to The Movement, she was still a lousy mother. It contains great in-depth interviews with Shock-G and others close to Tupac; and these detail his faults as well as his assets, portraying him as the brilliant, artistic, complex, individual he really was, not as a cardboard idol. If you want concert clips, this is not your flick. But if you want interviews with Tupac and his friends that you won't see elsewhere, check it out.