http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5737022/

Warner Home Video Prince takes center stage
in ‘Purple Rain’

By Michael Ventre
MSNBC contributor
Updated: 4:02 p.m. ET Aug. 17, 2004“Purple Rain”
20th Anniversary Two-Disc Special Edition
Most rock and roll movies are more about the rock and roll than they are about the story. Usually, they provide an excuse to take an idea that ordinarily would satisfy a five-minute music video and puff it up to an hour and a half of pop-culture fluff.

“Purple Rain” is one of the rare exceptions. This 1984 sleeper is a Prince vanity project, to be sure, but one that stands out because the music doesn’t smother the narrative. The two are deftly intertwined, thanks to the efforts of director Albert Magnoli, producer Robert Cavallo and the Purple One himself.

The story takes place in Minneapolis, Prince’s hometown, and most of the action centers on First Avenue, a popular club where edgy music acts battle for attention. Prince plays The Kid, a motorcycle-riding leader of the Revolution. He not only competes with Morris Day and the Time for on-stage supremacy, but also for the affections of the lovely Appollonia (Appollonia Kotero).

Setting it apart from most pop melodramas is a compelling subplot involving The Kid’s troubled and abusive father, played to perfection by Clarence Williams III of “Mod Squad” fame. Weaved together with musical numbers that include ’80s chart-toppers like “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy,” and the relationships with band members (including the lively duo of Wendy and Lisa), the interchanges between Morris and sidekick Jerome and a crabby club manager, the result is a highly enjoyable concoction.

To celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary, it is being released on DVD in a two-disc special edition. The first contains the feature, with a sharp digital transfer in widescreen, and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound that does justice to the Oscar-winning score. There are also commentaries by Magnoli, Cavallo and cinematographer Donald E. Thorin.

The second disc has lots of bonus stuff, including eight Prince videos and footage of the MTV Premiere Party, which is a hoot considering the hair and fashions of the day.

In addition to “Purple Rain,” Warner Home Video is releasing two other lesser works starring Prince, “Under the Cherry Moon” and “Graffiti Bridge,” which aren’t quite as significant but are worth checking out if you’re a Prince fanatic. Then again, if you’re a Prince fanatic, you probably have seen each about a hundred times.

Check out this special feature: They do a nice job with featurettes on this one. Lots of interviews with members of the Time, Prince’s former manager, members of Prince’s band, observers of the Minneapolis club scene, etc. It’s split into three separate pieces, and like most of these, could probably have been edited into one succinct version. But for Prince fans, it’s a feast.

(Warner Home Video, $26.99)

Jill




[This message was edited Tue Aug 17 18:45:48 2004 by ChiTownNPG]
[This message was edited Tue Aug 17 18:55:26 2004 by ChiTownNPG]

This guy obviously hasn't seen Graffiti Bridge.

axlfilth said:

ChiTownNPG said:

So THAT explains why the media has ignored Prince for a decade: they think his fans are retarded.

Luv & Peace,
Alex
Clubbin' in Mpls/A Night w. Prince[/quote]

6 more days Taking the day off!!!!