Musically speaking, the artist formerly and currently known as Prince is still going strong, but the years have been less kind to his first movie, 1984's Purple Rain, and none of the bells and whistles bundled into this two-disc 20th anniversary package can disguise that fact. The story (burgeoning rock star's life is marred by love dilemmas, band conflicts, and family problems) is sophomoric and obvious, the dialogue on-the-nose, the acting amateurish (Prince himself is pretty good, but co-star/love interest Apollonia Kotero is laughably overwrought); and the direction by Albert Magnoli is competent at best. In other words, this ain't exactly A Hard Day's Night. Still, the music is Purple Rain's saving grace, as Prince and the Revolution roar through theatrical (duh) but compelling performances of hits such as “Let's Go Crazy,” “When Doves Cry,” “Darling Nikki,” and the title song, with a pre-industrial funk-rock sound that is particularly sharp on the Dolby Digital 5.1 digitally remastered soundtrack. And that's to say nothing of The Time, led by the dapper, funny Morris Day and sidekick Jerome Benton, who are just as entertaining as Prince's band, if not nearly as musically adventurous. Boasting a solid widescreen transfer, Purple Rain's extras (for which Prince is notably absent) include audio commentary, a half-hour “making-of” documentary, a 12-minute featurette on the Minnesota music club scene, and eight music videos. Optional. [Note: also available are the far less successful Prince vehicles Under the Cherry Moon and Graffiti Bridge.] (S. Graham)
Purple Rain: 20th Anniversary Special Edition
Warner, 2 discs, 111 min., R, DVD: $26.99 Volume 19, Issue 6
Purple Rain: 20th Anniversary Special Edition
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