Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Tupac: Live at the House of Blues Blu-ray Movie Review

Looking at this notorious show again, which was recorded on July 4, 1996, and proved to be Tupac Shakur's last as he was gunned down two months later while attending a boxing match at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, I can not but agree with those who at the time followed the East Coast-West Coast feud closely and claimed that it was nothing more than a very dangerous statement. A lot of the songs Shakur sings here are filled with so much anger, I think that, sadly, a response of some sort was simply inevitable.

The show is loosely divided into three parts. In the first, Shakur is joined on the stage by his former group Outlawz, as well as K-Ci and Jojo from Jodeci. The highlights here are the controversial "Hit 'Em Up", during which Shakur slams Notorious B.I.G, Lil' Kim and the Bad Boy Records camp, as well as "All About You" and, of course, the sultry "How Do You Want It".

In the second part, the focus is on Tha Dogg Pound, legendary rapper Snoop Dogg's pet project. Together with Kurupt, Daz and Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg heats up the audience with such hits as "Murder Was The Case", "Some Bomb Azz (Pu**y)", and "Ain't No Fun (If The Homies Can't Have None)". It is worth mentioning that during "Some Bomb Azz (Pu**y)", there is a whole lot of, well, improvising going on by a group of ladies who appear well versed in the art of striptease.

The final act brings everyone - Shakur, Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, Outlawz, Nate Dogg, K-Ci & Jojo, the controversial founder of Death Row Records, Suge Knight, and a whole lot of other guest stars - on the stage for "2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted". This impressive duet between Shakur and Snoop Dogg was the second hit single from the late rapper's multi-platinum album "All Eyez on Me" (1996).

Technically, the show is far from impressive. For example, the heavy red lights make it almost impossible to follow the performers on the stage. Two of the cameras are also rather awkwardly positioned, capturing the stage from a very strange angle. Also, heavy smoke, some of which admittedly is coming from the audience, is noticeable throughout the entire show. During the improve version of "Freek'n You", which is actually done as an intro to "How Do You Want It", it is practically impossible to see the faces of K-Ci, Jojo and Shakur; the shadow effects are terribly distracting.

Still, fans of Shakur and Snoop Dogg would undoubtedly appreciate the raw look of the show. Shakur really is in top form here, and his desire to deliver a strong, though very unfortunate, statement can be felt in practically every single song he sings. It is a shame, really, that one of his best shows turned out to be his last.

All About You

Tupac: Live at the House of Blues Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080i "live" transfer, Tupac: Live at the House of Blues arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment.

The high-definition transfer is mostly pleasing but a notch below what we have come to expect from Eagle Rock Entertainment. First, the entire show has a consistently soft look. Due to the unique stage lighting, some of the footage is also quite dark. During Tupac's duet with Jodeci's K-Ci & Jojo on "How Do You Want It", for example, I had a difficult time seeing his face. Additionally, there is also quite a bit of smoke on the stage during a number of songs that further affects clarity and contrast. Second, the peripheral lighting is also ineffective. There are areas of the stage that are so incredibly dark, it is practically impossible to see what is going on there. The camera positioning is also awkward. The good news is that motion-judder is not a serious issue of concern. Occasionally, mild noise is noticeable; macroblocking, however, isn't. Finally, I did not detect any serious transfer specific anomalies to report in this review. To sum it all up, considering the venue, the stage set-up, as well as how the entire show was recorded, I assume that this is probably the best Tupac: Live at the House of Blues could look. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

Tupac: Live at the House of Blues Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are three audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English LPCM 2.0, and English Dolby Digital 5.1. Optional English subtitles are not provided.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track does not disappoint. The bass is strong and punchy, the rear channels intelligently used, and the high-frequencies not overdone. The "club feel", however, is prominent - the sound is rarely concentrated, especially during the group performances from the second half, and the crowd is felt throughout the entire show. The mixing is mostly unproblematic, but I felt that Tupac's singing is at times brought forward slightly more than it should have been ("So Many Tears"). During certain songs, I also noticed random echoes ("All About You").

The LPCM 2.0 track is very good. Dynamically, it is not as effective as the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, but I felt that balance is substantially better and the crowd noise not as intrusive on it. Overall, the sound feels thicker and more homogeneous.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 track is fairly strong, though dynamically it is not as convincing as the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Overall, I felt that it is the weakest of the three tracks, though, again, I did not detect any specific technical problems with it.

Tupac: Live at the House of Blues Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Music videos:

-- California Love (Remix) - (1080i).

-- To Live and Die in L.A. (1080i).

-- Hit 'Em Up (1080i).

-- How Do You Want It (Concert Version) (1080i).

-- I Ain't Mad At Cha' (1080i).

Note: On a few of the videos I noticed intentional blurring on liquor brands, logos, etc.

Tupac: Live at the House of Blues Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Like it or not, Tupac Shakur is the most influential rapper of our time. His songs, explicit and far from being politically correct, changed perceptions, even entire music styles. And like it or not, after Shakur's tragic death, no one has come even remotely close to replicating what he did. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment, looks and sounds good. It is also Region-Free. RECOMMENDED.