This method also helps to establish Resurrection as more than just a movie about a wrestler. It strips away the mythos of the performer and puts a spotlight on the man. Roberts has an unflinching honesty about his life, he acknowledges the frailty of his situation but dives headfirst into the gruelling process of simply trying to live happily after years of hardship. Witnessing his journey creates a strong bond between him and the audience, and it’s that bond that […]
“The Resurrection of Jake the Snake” is not a story about wrestling, although the footage used from years gone by is quite extraordinary. This is a story about a wrestler. It’s a story about a man who has lost his way and with the help of long-lost friends, he picks himself back up. This is a human story with heart and soul. It’s everyone’s story,
Filmmaker Steve Yu, who is also one of Roberts’ supporters in the film, saw a golden opportunity to shoot a doc. Yu’s approach feels honest, not preachy, and he fills in gaps between footage with his own narration. He also films Roberts reconnecting with his kids and setting a goal, mentioned throughout the film, to get into the WWE Royal Rumble (a wrestling match that often brings nostalgic characters back to the ring). And as Roberts’ health progresses, another wrestler […]
That’s what the film is at its very best. Narratively, the film is almost cartoonishly moving. A travelogue through the ebbs and flows of an addicts recovery, save for the few discussions about the importance of Roberts realizing the support he has of his fans, this is a documentary about a fallen man and a recovering addict. Not a mythic pro-wrestler or an iconic pop culture figure. Potent in its discussion of addiction and the trappings one may fall into […]
Featuring input and insight from Stone Cold Steve Austin, Chris Jericho, Ted Dibiase, Adam Copeland (aka Edge), Gene Okerlund, Jim Duggan (aka Hacksaw Jim Duggan), Jim Ross, and Jerry Mires (aka J-Rocc), as well as an astonishing appearance by an almost unrecognizable Scott Hall (aka Razor Ramon), who enters the DDP Yoga program after Jake, and arguably in even worse shape, “The Resurrection Of Jake The Snake” is a look at the darker side of post-wrestling life. What happens when […]
The film is definitely a must-see, and not just for wrestling fans. Roberts’ story is one that everyone can relate too, and it shows that no matter how hard you fall, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And the viewers finally get to see Roberts re-united with his children 16 years after Beyond The Mat hit the screens.
Personally, I always appreciated the careers of both Jake Roberts and Scott Hall. They were both captivating in the ring and their impact on the business is well documented. I always found Jake intriguing because he never had the greatest physique, nor was he the biggest guy, but man could he work a match and cut a promo. Jake was able get into the minds of the viewing audience and play with their emotions, better than possibly any wrestler before […]