Psychose III

Psycho III (1986)

*** (out of 4)

A month after the events from the previous film, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) is back at his motel when a reporter starts snooping around trying to find out some information on his past. At the same time Norman hires a wannabe rock star (Jeff Fahey) to help out around the motel and he also strikes up a relationship with a young woman (Diana Scarwid) who seems to be just as troubled as he is.

PSYCHO III certainly breaks away from the first two movies in the series. The first two films were mysteries that build up suspense and tension. This film here is a bit different as there's a bit more humor and there's no question that Perkins, working as a director for the first time, goes for more slasher elements. The director said before his death that he didn't really know what he was doing but the film actually turned out to be pretty good.

I've always defended this movie for a number of reasons but the biggest is that the characters are just so wonderful. Once again Perkins is wonderful as Bates as he perfectly nails all those quirky things that make it work. The stutter is one of them and just the nervous tension that you can always pick up about Norman. Then you've got the story of the depressed and confused nun played by Scarwid. The two of them are so wonderful together that it really does sell the love story, which is rare for a horror movie. Even Fahey is a lot of fun as the rocking jerk. Hugh Gillin also makes a return from the previous film as the Sheriff and is a lot of fun.

The horror elements here are a lot stronger than the previous two films and the violence is a bit more graphic. The death scenes are all well-staged but there's no question that Perkins was trying to keep up with the slasher films from the era. The music score is effective and there's no doubt that it's a well-made film. PSYCHO III is a totally different animal than the first two movies but that's okay because in the end it really does work.

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

...read the introduction of Psycho III on TV. I was excited to watch Anthony Perkins's directorial debut, but I must say that this film had so much more potential to be better than it was.

Psycho III in several ways, is better than Psycho II. It reveals much more about Norman as a person, not just a crazy old man with a mental illness. Anthony Perkins once told David Letterman of the Psycho franchise that "They're not really horror movies. They're tragedies." I really felt sympathy for Norman in this sequel above all the others. There is not a better word to describe everything about Norman than tragic.

Psycho III contains a lot of 'familar' scenes. The bell tower scene at the beginning inspired from Vertigo, when Norman's 'girlfriend' Maureen fell down the stairs of the home, done exactly the same way Detective Arbogast fell in the original film; 'floaty' like. After Norman 'saved' Maureen from her attempt at suicide, they have a quick heart-to-heart, in which Norman says "We all go a little mad sometimes," a famous quote from the original. Clearly Perkins wanted to pay homage to the Master of Suspense.

On to his performance - wonderful as always, but I can't help noticing that a lot of the Bates trademark movements and facial expressions were brought back in this sequel, some unnecessarily so. Sometimes it seemed as if Norman was parodying himself. Jeff Fahey as Duke, a musician with a cocky surfer boy personality was an interesting contrast.

Overall, I think Perkins should be given more credit. Sure, it isn't perfect - but I think it has a lot more heart. I think if certain scenes were removed, it would have been a lot better, particularly the end of the film where he brings back the infamous grinning 'stare.' It counteracts with what Norman overcame only a scene ago. But Psycho III doesn't deserve such a low rating. It's definitely worth a look - but don't expect a masterpiece. 6/10.

I'm not lying, appart from Psycho IV (The concept had died out by then) this is the most underrated Psycho film. And, no matter what anyone says, if you like either Psycho or 1980's horror flix, you should like this. Perkins revises his role and the supporting cast help him along in his ageing role as geeky motel-man "Stormin'" Norman Bates. Mother takes on an even more horrific theme and the madness of Perkins is far more obvious. Perkins directs well and reveals things in a very Hitchcock style, and, even though the Hitch sertainly would NOT approve of this film, I liked it. The comedy ellement is combined with the horror. The spoof of the shower scene left me rolling on the floor (if you can laugh at that sort of thing!). The main problem is the high rating of the film (R in the States and 18 in Britain). The Hitch went through his career taking care of what he showed people, and by this stage in the Bates saga, it was just a see all know all knife flick. 7.5/10 (Not as good as Psycho II) Rated R. Contains scenes of a Sexual Nature, Nudity, Swearing and scenes that some viewers may find disturbing.

I was surprised that many didn't like this sequel, as I thought it was the best sequel and was very well done. Anthony Hopkins did a great acting and directing job in it. The supporting cast also did a fine job. It mixes some good black humor and scares around, with a very creepy score from Carter Burwell. If you haven't seen this "Psycho," you should see it. It still gives me goosebumps when watching it.

Psycho III is not better then the first 2. But it is still really good. It stars Anthony Perkins, Diana Scarwid, Jeff Fahey, and Roberta Maxwell.

plot: A nun named Maureen Coyle (Diana Scarwid) accidently murders another nun, so she runs away. She hitchhikes on the road, a guitar player named Duke (Jeff Fahey) picks her up. Later on that night, Duke tries to rape Maureen, but she escapes and walks the rest of the way. Duke needs a job because he needs money to get to LA to become a rock star. He goes to Bates Motel, where the original psycho Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) is the manager. Norman makes Duke the assistant manager. Norman goes to the diner and runs into a reporter named Tracy (Roberta Maxwell) who wants to interveiw him about the people he killed. But he sees Maureen with a suitcase with the initials M.C on it. Norman thinks its Marion Crane, the girl he killed in the shower in the original, and she has returned from the grave. So Norman freaks out and leaves. Maureen tries to kill herself in the bathtub while a new killer in the black dress and grey wig wants to kill her, so Norman runs to her aid. He brings her to the hospital. Later on, Norman lets her stay at the motel. And later on girls at the motel start to get killed. Who is it? Has Norman returned to insanity? Is Duke willing to kill to get to LA? Will the reporter kill to get her story? Find out who is behind the black dress and grey wig this time, and rent or buy Psycho III!

This has the basic 80's slasher stuff: nudity, gore, unknown killer, and horny teens. If you like the original Psycho, the 2nd Psycho, or like 80's slashers, rent or buy Psycho III!