'Sign O the Times' is a fantasy fulfilled for true Prince fans

Lost, long out of print films can often be a bummer when you finally see them and I'll admit I was nervous about Sign O' The Times. As a serious, dedicated Prince fan I've been hearing for years how it was the best document of the Prince concert-going experience committed to film (and perhaps that ever will be). Some have argued that it actually tops Purple Rain as a film (and some could make the case that as an album Sign may be better, if not more influential than Rain).

For reasons unknown, Sign O' The Times has not been widely seen or re-broadcast. It was briefly in theaters where it did little business despite rave reviews. You couldn't rent it, stream it, or download it.

But then I tracked down a pretty terrific blu ray transfer of the film (the only misstep is an apparently ripped from VHS version of "U Got the Look" which stands out poorly alongside the rest of this gorgeous film) and I'm happy to report that Sign O' the Times not only lives up to the hype but surpasses it.

Sheila and Cat

I was lucky enough to get to see Prince do his thing live once, and it's as close to a religious experience that I've had at a concert (although Beyonce certainly is approaching his league at a fast pace). Sign O' The Times, with some incredible staging and snippets of theatricality, replicates that experience -- it's raucous, sexy as hell and incredibly infectious.

It's hard to say whether it surpasses Purple Rain, a movie so iconic that even its imperfections are now a part of its appeal. This film certainly strips out the narrative from that film -- which many consider its weakest element -- and presents a pretty pure performance, full of ab libs and divergences.

With the exception of a Charlie Parker cover and "Little Red Corvette," the set list adheres to the 1987 album that shares the film's name. Backed by an impressive band -- which includes the stunning and talented Sheila E and Cat Glover -- Prince puts on a clinic of rock, funk, blues, jazz and soul that really is riveting and beautifully incapsulates why he was one of the greatest musicians of this past century.

Prince at his full powers

And while this may sound hyperbolic -- you have to understand that it's coming from someone who has watched a lot of Prince performances and listened to nearly all of his music. This is peak Prince, and for anyone who is sort of intrigued or new to the party, it's a perfect introduction.

Curiously, he directed it himself, and he shows a deft talent for presenting his songs in the most dynamic way possible. Some segments work like a music video, others feel like you are right there in the audience and the Purple One himself is singing directly to you.

I dare say they don't make movies like this anymore. I know concert films still exist, but for the likes of Justin Bieber. But this is a show put on by a master and it rivals Martin Scorsese's The Last Waltz and Jonathan Demme's Stop Making Sense as pure pop ecstasy.

I am still digesting this movie as I have literally been waiting years to see it -- and watching it now is bittersweet -- because we lost Prince too soon earlier this year. Still, this is an amazing part of his legend that will live on forever.