साइको III

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.

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.

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 time around you seem to have more of a slasher type 80's film , meaning that there is a lot of teens, school age kids partying at the motel. with Norman's strict upbringing by his mother, his morals come into play here. Jeff Fahey is playing Norman's assistant in running the motel, a nun who has lost her way stumbles upon the Bates motel, upon seeing her Norman is reminded of Marion Crane, he instantly falls for her. seeing that suitcase with the initials M.C. on it certainly must have brought back memories for poor old Norman. although it is not as good the previous entry, it isn't that bad either, the score is very good, the cinematography is great, i think this one suffered a little on the plot, this one seems more campy the Psycho 2 but it's not bad either.

PSYCHO III (1986)

directed by: Anthony Perkins

starring: Anthony Perkins, Diana Scarwid, Jeff Fahey, and Roberta Maxwell

plot: One month after the events of PSYCHO II, Norman (Anthony Perkins) is still running the Bates Motel along with "Mother". Things are going fine until Norman falls in love with a fallen nun (Diana Scarwid), takes in a greedy drifter (Jeff Fahey), a nosy reporter (Roberta Maxwell) sticks her nose where it doesn't belong and a series of murders begins once again.

my thoughts: Although not as great a sequel as PSYCHO II, this is still a good sequel. With Anthony Perkins directing himself, you can expect a good addition to the PSYCHO series.

Now, Norman Bates is dealing with a lot. He's falling in love, a reporter is poking around, and a new employee is close to discovering his secret. The mystery and atmosphere of the first two are still here but it's 1986, the middle of the 80's slasher era. More sex and violence have been added.

We have gorier kills and even Juliette Cummins (FRIDAY THE 13TH PART V: A NEW BEGINNING, SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE II) playing a slut who is picked up at a bar by Duke (Jeff Fahey), kicked out of his room, and then murdered in the actually pretty cool payphone scene.

These 80's elements do not add much to the film, but certainly do not take away.

Perkins also does a fine job directing, and adds a lot of dark humor to the film.

Definitely check this sequel out, it's not as good as the first two but certainly better than the fourth installment and the remake.