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Amazon.co.uk Review
While "rock musical" remains a phrase used by sadistic parents to give their offspring nightmares the genre does occasionally throw up the odd gem, Purple Rain being perhaps the shiniest example. Given the theatricality of Prince's stage shows, it was only a matter of time before the diminutive pop potentate found himself a big-screen vehicle but few could have predicted that Purple Rain would become nothing less than a cultural phenomenon. The story, co-written by one-time Starsky & Hutch scripter William Blinn, may be a somewhat hackneyed tale with His Purpleness overcoming a troubled background and musical rival Morris Day to achieve his dreams of rock stardom. However, the cast, which also includes Prince protegée Appollonia, rises above the clichés to hand in a set of performances which, while never likely to trouble the Oscars, prove that all concerned can at least play a rough approximation of themselves with minimal difficulty. What really helped push the film's box-office receipts through the roof, however, was its soundtrack featuring a clutch of hit singles--notably "When Doves Cry"--and which cemented our pint-sized hero's position as one of the globe's premiere performing artists. Sadly, subsequent attempts to re-bottle this particular brand of lightning with Under The Cherry Moon and Graffiti Moon would prove substantially less successful, but Purple Rain still looks--and, more importantly sounds--rarely less than funktastic. --Clark Collis
Product Description
Prince, Morris Day, Clarence Williams, Olga Karlatos, Apollonia KoteroDirector: Albert Magnoli
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
As a big-time Prince fan of the last three to four years, I really can't believe I've only just got round to watching "Purple Rain". The brand new 2-disc anniversary Special Edition led me to buy it. Wow, I was really looking forward to watching it, but I wasn't prepared for just how electric it actually is. Prince's musical performances throughout the movie are nothing short of astounding - he REALLY has the moves in this one. I am very familiar (from repeated listens) with the classic "Purple Rain" album and all its songs, but to see them in the context of the movie completely alters your perception of the tunes and lyrics - like COMPUTER BLUE, THE BEAUTIFUL ONES, WHEN DOVES CRY and PURPLE RAIN itself. There is something undescribably hypnotising about the scenes where Prince and The Revolution perform. The closing songs BABY I'M A STAR and I WOULD DIE FOR U show how much energy and sheer talent Prince was brimming with in his mid-20s (he's overflowing!), it blew me away. It even makes Michael Jackson seem inanimate even in his peak years.
Prince shows you how to win the girl of your dreams - drive her to a lake, make her jump in, then drive off - absolutely hilarious stuff in hindsight.
Some of the scenes are very 1980s and unintentionally hilarious but this adds to the film's overall charm. Morris Day is the coolest cat on the block (and hilarious), and when his group The Time perform THE BIRD you get to see Morris Day and Jerome Benton light up the stage Minneapolis funk style - I love their dancing in this bit, and how Benton provides Morris with a mirror mid-performance.
I already can't wait to watch it again, I really can't!
Extras are terrific - particularly seeing a young Eddie Murphy pre-Beverly Hills Cop admit he is a "Prince groupie".
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
This is one of those films that stands the test of time. I am not really a Prince fan in all honestly but I managed to sit through the whole film and rather enjoyed it. The Audio and Visual quality are nearly flawless and the price is good for a blu-ray
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I'm in total agreement with some of the other reviews on here, this is without doubt the best rock'n'roll movie ever made.
This 20th Anniversary edition looks excellent thanks to the digital remaster.
The nightclub scenes are just brilliant, absolutely capturing the essence of a time when musicians could be daring and odd and still be loved for it. Check out some of the hairstyles and clothes of the audience members. Blimey!
The story-line is fairly auto-biographical, we all know that, and it's a fairly simple 'kid from messed-up family wants to break free thru his music' type scenario, but it's lack of a complex plot is more than made up for in the 'live' performances throughout the film. These bits capture Prince at possibly his most vibrant, electrifying and vital best. He engages both his audiences, us and the film one, through his performances, some of which are so damn foxy it hurts. The Darlin' Nikki bit anyone? Hot damn!!!
There are some real tender scenes aswell, I love the bit where he's talking through the puppet thing, and also some of the family scenes with his mum and the tragically sad story of his father. It's in these scenes we really see Prince's acting abilities, which through the rest of the film, it has to be said aren't always evident, bless him. Very touching.
The love story is a little flat, but I believe that's due to Appollonia not Prince. She's a little staged and it doesn't seem she could let herself go completely with him, even though they were lovers in real life I think?
Morris Day is quite a comic talent, and along with Jerome Benton, their scenes are of a fairly good comic/slap-stick standard.
The extras on this version are most interesting too. Particularly the 3 docus, First Avenue;The Road to Pop Royalty, Purple Rain; Backstage Pass and Riffs, Ruffles and a Revolution; The Impact and Influence of Purple Rain. Really good stuff on those. But was there really any need to stick on the awful footage of the MTV Premiere Party! Watch this bit once, and then never again!
Also includes 8 great videos, one of which is the Vanity 6 all-time 'classic' Sex Shooter! Eek!
Nice motorbike too!!
This 20th Anniversary edition looks excellent thanks to the digital remaster.
The nightclub scenes are just brilliant, absolutely capturing the essence of a time when musicians could be daring and odd and still be loved for it. Check out some of the hairstyles and clothes of the audience members. Blimey!
The story-line is fairly auto-biographical, we all know that, and it's a fairly simple 'kid from messed-up family wants to break free thru his music' type scenario, but it's lack of a complex plot is more than made up for in the 'live' performances throughout the film. These bits capture Prince at possibly his most vibrant, electrifying and vital best. He engages both his audiences, us and the film one, through his performances, some of which are so damn foxy it hurts. The Darlin' Nikki bit anyone? Hot damn!!!
There are some real tender scenes aswell, I love the bit where he's talking through the puppet thing, and also some of the family scenes with his mum and the tragically sad story of his father. It's in these scenes we really see Prince's acting abilities, which through the rest of the film, it has to be said aren't always evident, bless him. Very touching.
The love story is a little flat, but I believe that's due to Appollonia not Prince. She's a little staged and it doesn't seem she could let herself go completely with him, even though they were lovers in real life I think?
Morris Day is quite a comic talent, and along with Jerome Benton, their scenes are of a fairly good comic/slap-stick standard.
The extras on this version are most interesting too. Particularly the 3 docus, First Avenue;The Road to Pop Royalty, Purple Rain; Backstage Pass and Riffs, Ruffles and a Revolution; The Impact and Influence of Purple Rain. Really good stuff on those. But was there really any need to stick on the awful footage of the MTV Premiere Party! Watch this bit once, and then never again!
Also includes 8 great videos, one of which is the Vanity 6 all-time 'classic' Sex Shooter! Eek!
Nice motorbike too!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
memory lane
brill film that brought back some great memories. well worth watching again if you enjoyed prince's music first time round
Published 5 months ago by Mrs. T. Wilkinson
Pure Brilliance
Picture and sound quality is impeccably sublime in comparison to the DVD. This movie ticks all the right boxes in terms of entertainment, plot, biographical references to the... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Wizo
Totally Amazing
Amazing, still the best after all this time, if you put Jacko's and Madonna's films together, this movie took much more and was far, far greater, although his been greatly... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Daniel Divine
WHAT I WANTED
I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO WATCH PRINCE VIDEO " PURPLE RAIN ". FOR ME IT HAS BAGS OF ATMOSPHERE AND PRESCENCE. SO I GOT IT AND AM VERY HAPPY WITH IT.
Published 18 months ago by bosb
The Arrival of a Star into the Mainstream
I think Purple Rain is when Prince arrived into the mainstream of popularity. He is an unusual and gifted phenomenon; unafraid of expressing his sexuality. Read more
Published on 13 Mar 2010 by Ms. J. De Souza
Memories
I bought this after hearing Joe sing it on x factor and wanted to see the film. Bought back some fantastic memories of years gone by. Prince will always be weird and wonderful.
Published on 9 Dec 2009 by J. M. Symes
Prince/ symbol, in Purple Rain DVD
This is a film featuring Prince in his band (so lots of Prince songs), competing with another band. This was something my husband wanted as he had on video... and he loved it. Read more
Published on 9 Aug 2009 by Miss Charlotte Laidler
Great fun
Let's be honest: Prince isn't a great actor. He is, however, a superb musician and one of the best live performers I've ever seen, and this film provides a glimpse of the great... Read more
Published on 4 Mar 2009 by Peter Lee
If you love great music....
I suppose one of the main reasons for watching the film is to try to extend an understanding of Prince, of that brilliant and enigmatic character whose unique talents have shaped... Read more
Published on 29 Jun 2008 by DDH255
Enough To Merit 5 Stars
When this came out in 1984 it was a phenomenon and turned Prince from a man with potential into a global superstar. Read more
Published on 17 May 2008 by pjr
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