Bob An Well, of course, I am reviewing the film after the death of Prince and while the whole world is in shock and in search of his genius... so many will see this film - I am sure, for the first time - just like me.The film as a film is really nothing extraordinary. It is really Prince and music that make it really great. Now, after watching it, two things became clear to me: the reason why the videos for songs were as they were - they are actually part of the film and second one - I can now better understand the song Purple Rain. After the film and after watching it 'into the concept ' it makes more sense to me.I liked the colors in the movie. Very flamboyant, very 80's. The fashion, the music, the style... it all seems like a party. It all seems fun and that's what I liked the most about the movie. Although there is an underlying tragic story, the movie is fan for me. I am not sure whether they were all serious with the film. Maybe early 80's were just like that: a bit crazy and over the top... so the acting was kinda ... hmmm ... nonchalant. But, again, it is a music film, so ... Eight from me.

SnoopyStyle The Kid (Prince) is a young talented leader of his group The Revolution as they play at The First Avenue club in Minneapolis. He comes from a trouble home with an abusive musical father. The loudmouth flamboyant Morris Day and his group The Time are the headliners in the club. Apollonia (Apollonia Kotero) is an aspiring singer who falls for the Kid. Their relationship hits a roadblock when Morris develops a group around Apollonia. The Kid is in danger of losing his spot in the club.The music ranges from experimental jams to incredible pop sensations. Prince is a passable actor. None of the acting is great. Morris Day seems to be having lots of fun. The Kid is surprisingly violent. He's a volatile self-destructive character. Aside from the great music, this movie offers some truly nice moments. The lake scene is fun. And Prince seems to be really trying.

Gideon24 Prince was one of the biggest musical acts of the 1980's and Hollywood decided to get their piece of the pie by offering the musician the lead in a 1984 film called Purple Rain, framed around Prince's music in which he pretty much plays himself (the character is only referred to as "The Kid"), an arrogant musician who has not only alienated the manager of the club where he performs, but his own band members (played by real- life members of his band) who have grown tired of their leaders' music and are ready to walk when the kid adamantly refuses to even listen to a song they wrote, let alone performing it. Things get further complicated when competition from another band (Morris Day and the Time) threatens his regular job as well as a budding romance with an aspiring singer (Apollonia) who the kid attempts to control until he learns she actual has her own career aspirations, which involve the kid's sworn enemy, Morris.Albert Magnoli's music video directorial approach to this film's mounting is more than appropriate, creating an eye-popping, ear-pounding musical drama that stays consistently entertaining, despite the unappealing lead character...the Kid is a sexist, thoughtless egomaniac who thinks it's all about him and objectifies women to the point of distraction, a trait he apparently inherited from his father (Clarence Williams III, in a brilliant performance), a pig who seems to be blaming his failed music career on the kid's mother, evidenced in his beating of her on a regular basis.The story is actually a throwback to musicals of the 1950's but its glamorous 1980's visual and musical trappings do help to disguise that fact. Thank God that Prince's musicianship is so intoxicating because the guy is no actor...though the scene where tries to seduce Apollonia musically onstage with a song called "Nicky", is awesome...a sexually riveting musical number that mesmerizes the rest of the audience but sends Apollonia running from the room. For me, outside of the work of Clarence Williams III, the best scene in the film.The film also features Prince classics like "Let's Go Crazy" "When Doves Cry", and the absolutely gorgeous title song. Morris Day and his band also get a chance to shine as well. Yes, the film is basically just a 90-minute music video, but the music is awesome and the visuals are arresting and despite an unappealing lead character, this film is a lot of fun and has great re-watch appeal.

jcbutthead86 Purple Rain is an excellent,unforgettable Rock N'Roll Musical Classic and one of the greatest Rock N'Roll movies of all time that combines great,stylish direction and a classic album and soundtrack that makes Purple Rain Prince at his best.Set in Minneapolis,Minnesota,Purple Rain tells the story of The Kid(Prince),a talented but troubled musician who's the leader the group The Revolution and while The Kid rocks out with his band he has a upsetting personal life. The Kid then meets and falls for an aspiring singer and dancer Apollonia(Apollonia Kotero)while competing with rival musician and singer Morris Day(Morris Day)and trying to make it to the big time.The year 1984 is one of the most iconic and unforgettable years in the history of pop culture and not only that it was also an incredible year for movies,music and television. Classic and memorable films such as Beverly Hills Cop and Ghostbusters were the top two grossing box office hits of the year,singers Madonna,Tina Turner and Lionel Richie were dominating the pop music charts,classic television shows such as Miami Vice and The Cosby Show both made their Television debuts and MTV Music Television was in it's third year. Then in that very same year came the release of Purple Rain,an amazing Rock N'Roll film that was a Box Office hit and turned Prince into a mega star and gave viewers a classic album and iconic soundtrack that would go multi platinum and become one of Prince's definitive and timeless albums. Right from the very start Purple Rain gives viewers a stylish experience that brings you into another world where music is played throughout and you not only listen to the music you feel it with all of your emotion and you never want it to stop and when you think of the year 1984 or the entire decade of the 1980s you will think of Purple Rain because it not only defines 1984 but the entire decade of the 1980s. Purple Rain is one of those films where there is more style than substance where most of the camera movements and editing in some the scenes are fast and quick never giving you a chance to breath or take a break. The concert scenes in PR are terrific and mesmerizing capturing your attention and nothing feels forced or fake but real with an energy that is relentless and powerful that you will be singing along with The Kid(i.e Prince). I think Prince tried recapture the spirit of Purple Rain with his two follow up films Under The Cherry Moon(1986 and Graffiti Bridge(1990)but failed. The only film that I think can match PR in terms of style and tone is Walter Hill's Streets Of Fire(also released in 1984). One can make a valid argument that PR is not really a movie but a long extended music video with some scenes of dialog but it's one of the most entertaining extended music videos I have ever seen and like I said before this is a movie where there is more style than substance. The main character The Kid(his real named is never said in the film)is not always a likable character and at times he can be kind of jerk but you will sympathize with him at times because of his terrible home life with his parents or trying to become a successful musician. The Kid is a character full of depth and mystery and we get to know him either through his music or his dialog. One of the things I love about PR is how intentionally or unintentionally hilarious the film is because some of the acting leaves a lot to be desired and some of the dramatic moments become a little over the top to the point where you are laughing at scenes that are supposed to be serious but end up being silly. The ending of Purple Rain(which is the final 20-30 minutes)is fantastic and one of the best endings I have ever seen in a film and is filled with great music that is brilliant and powerful and will stay with you forever. An incredible ending.The cast is o.k. Prince does an o.k and hilarious job as The Kid,with showing over the top emotions. Apollonia Kotero is good and sexy as Apollonia,Prince's love interest. Morris Day is funny and memorable as Morris Day,The Kid's rival. Olga Karlatos and Clarence Williams III give the best performances in the film as The Kid's troubled Mother and Father. Jerome Benton is fun as Jerome,Morris' right hand man. Billy Sparks is good as Billy,a local club owner.The direction Albert Magnoli is terrific and stylish,with Magnoli keeping the film moving at a tight pace and bringing a great visual style to the film and doing sensational job with the concert scenes. Wonderful direction,Magnoli.The soundtrack by Prince And The Revolution is one of the greatest and most unforgettable albums and soundtracks of all time with amazing songs such as the title track Purple Rain,When Doves Cry,Let's Go Crazy,Computer Blue,Darling Nikki,The Beautiful Ones,Take Me With U,I Would Die For U and Baby I'm A Star. A Brilliant and flawless soundtrack. There is also other great songs by Morris Day and The Time(Jungle Love,The Bird),Appolonia 6(Sex Shooter)and Dez Dickerson(Modernaire) The score by Michel Colombier,John L. Nelson and Prince is great,intense and beautiful matching the tone and style of the film. In final word if you love Rock N'Roll films,Musicals or Prince,I highly suggest you watch Purple Rain,an excellent,unforgettable Rock N'Roll Musical classic that you can watch again and again and is Prince at his best. Highly Recommended. 10/10.