Focusing the lens on the life as complex as Tupac Shakur was never going to be easy but All Eyez On Me does it’s best to convey the life of a prolific genius that was fully aware of his gift yet lacked the capacity to turn away from violence and the trappings of fame.
The first half of the film is presented as an interview conducted by a journalist (played by Hill Harper) visiting Shakur (Demetrius Shipp Jr.) during his 1995 conviction for sexual abuse. In order to dive into the early beginnings of Shakur, the journalist asks about his childhood in East Harlem and Baltimore as the son of an active Black Panther Party member and it is there the story gets under way.
The second act of the film examines Pac’s life once he leaves prison and essentially signs his life away to Death Row head Suge Knight. A choice that results in the demise of his relationships with The Notorious B.I.G. (Jamal Woolard) and Snoop Dogg (Jarrett Ellis), and the rise of the East Coast/West Coast feud.
Shipp is mesmerizing from the moment he appears on the screen in the title role. Successfully embodying the charisma and mannerisms of Tupac, his performance is Technicolor among the supporting cast of watered down, at times bland characters.
Danai Gurira delivers a powerful performance as Pac’s mother, and active Black Panther Party Member, Afeni Shakur with Kat Graham co-starring in the role of longtime confidant and friend Jada Pinkett and Annie Ilonzeh as Kadida Jones (daughter of Quincy), who was engaged to Tupac at the time of his death.
All Eyez On Me trips and stumbles in parts but does mostly well in providing snapshots into the life of a larger than life man who knew his time would be short. The storytelling never becomes overshadowed by the musical performances and does provide some insight into sections of his life that haven’t been overly explored in the past.
BSO Grade: B
For interviews with when stars Demetrius Shipp, Kat Graham, Annie Ilonzeh and more, flip the page.
