The title "Tupac: Resurrection" suggests controversial rapper Tupac Shakur is back, when in fact, he never left.
The movie offers a complete story of Tupac's life as told by the rapper himself.
In the seven years after his death, Tupac became the number one selling rap artist in pop music history, according to Billboard Music charts. Six of his albums were released after he died, selling more records than when he was alive. His true-to-life lyrics and on-screen charisma amassed a loyal fan following over the years, which has only increased after his death.
Many unofficial biographies were released after his murder. "Tupac: Resurrection" is unlike any of them because Tupac narrates the entire film via cleverly edited audio clips pieced together from interviews.
"Resurrection" might be considered an autobiography, and it is the first and only documentary-style film about Tupac that was approved by his mother, Afeni Shakur.
In an interview with hip-hop magazine XXL, Afeni Shakur said the only person capable of telling her son's life story is Tupac himself.
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"With this movie, we felt it had to be in Tupac's words," she said. "He is just sitting down talking to you and explaining the things he knows you want to know about."
Paramount Pictures and MTV films released "Resurrection," but Afeni Shakur was the executive producer. Director Lauren Lazin of "MTV Cribs" worked with her during the last four years gathering footage to make the film.
With the release of "Resurrection," one could question whether the filmmakers' motives are genuine or money-driven.
Amaru Entertainment, owned by Afeni Shakur, has been making money off of Tupac's name for the past seven years, with music that Tupac fans have been purchasing by the millions.
Was "Resurrection" made so Amaru Entertainment could continue to fatten its pocketbook? Or was "Resurrection" made for the millions of fans who continue to make Tupac a mainstay atop Billboard charts? According to Afeni Shakur, "Resurrection" was made for the children.
The majority of the profits from the film and its soundtrack will be donated to help build the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation performing arts center in Stone Mountain, Ga. The performing arts center will have a Tupac museum, art gallery, classrooms, computer training center and theater.
In 1997, a year after Tupac's death, Afeni Shakur established the foundation to promote the arts and self-expression in children. The organization creates camps that teach children creative writing, acting, dance, music, business and production. Tupac himself was enrolled in a similar program at Baltimore's School of the Arts when he was a teenager.
Tupac as a young teen was a dancer and an actor. He wrote poetry and stories, which eventually led to his career in rap music. Even though he was raised in poverty, Tupac was given a chance to express himself artistically. With the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation performing arts center, underprivileged children will also be given a chance to express themselves.
"Tupac: Resurrection" will teach audiences that during his life and in his death, Tupac was for the people. With the release of "Resurrection," Tupac continues giving back to his fans. And with the profits from the film, Tupac is still able to give back to the community.
