Was Tupac Amaru Shakur assassinated? This writer likes to believe otherwise, but Bond-Age Films’ and Step-N-Up Enterprises’ new DVD Tupac Assassination: Conspiracy Or Revenge attempts to prove that Makaveli’s tragic death eleven years ago was no run-of-the-mill hip-hop murder, but rather an intricate plot to eliminate the top-selling rapper of all time.

Sounds ridiculously far-fetched? Possibly, but according to new information provided by one of ’Pac’s closest cohorts, Conspiracy Or Revenge tries to support that theory with translucent storytelling and overly-dramatic segues, providing yet another thinly-veiled attempt to make money off of Tupac’s expansive legacy.

Since 2Pac sadly passed on into the next realm in 1996, his unmistakable presence and gaping absence in Hip Hop has been felt by everyone in the culture, from executives to artists to weed carriers. It is in fact one of his compatriots – former bodyguard Frank “Big Frank” Alexander - who serves as an executive producer for the documentary, as he and director/writer RJ Bond attempt to bring forth an alternative approach to the truth behind the rapper’s murder: a complicated (and at times convoluted) hypothesis involving gang wars instigated by Suge Knight, ineffective detective work by the Las Vegas Police Department, corrupt members of the LAPD’s infamous Rampart division, a professional-style execution and everything but the kitchen sink thrown in between.

Splicing never-before-seen footage of Tupac during various recording sessions – his trademark bravado intact – as well as interviews from ex-law officials who worked on the unsolved murder, old friends and associates of Death Row Records and fellow former bodyguards, Assassination actually brings an interesting, in-depth view that aims to dispel the myths and rumors between Suge and ’Pac’s tumultuous relationship behind the scenes, the reach and connections that Suge held through the LAPD, the futility of the subsequent investgation due to that reach and – perhaps the most shocking of all – an elaborate plot involving a Suge-orchestrated gang war between Crips and Bloods designed to mask the plan to and achievement of killing 'Pac. While the conation of this documentary is to bring light to the darkened angles of the hidden, mostly-unknown facets of his murder, the documentary at best feels like a complex, plot-driven whodunit where the culprits are not given away during its final pages, supposedly allowing the viewers to assume the identity of the person responsible for the murder. Unfortunately, what watchers are treated to is a seemingly “too unbelievable to be true” cover up which essentially fails to capture the attention, particularly due to the shoddy editing, cheesy special effects and reenactments better suited for America’s Most Wanted. And despite the intent to show the disarray and confusion of the situation to his former bodyguards and running mates, in the end it feels as if they are simply pointing fingers at each other for their mistakes.

Tupac Assassination: Conspiracy Or Revenge is a noble approach that attempts to finally bring justice for Tupac. But with its plot and presentation, the delivery is simply in vain.

Check out an exclusive interview with Tupac's former bodygaurd, Frank Alexander and the Director of the film, RJ Bond by clicking here.