Psycho III

*** 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.

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.

My fave of the series, this one has a bit more going on than last time. There's also a lot of throwbacks to the original, like Leigh look-a-like Scarwid getting Perkins all aroused, Maxwell investigating Perkins kind of like Balsam in the first, and a stabbing scene very similar to the infamous shower one, with the exception being this times its in a phone booth. This entrys a little more routine than part 2's, with that being a whodunnit. Here, you know whodunnit and basically the characters are more interesting than the story. You wouldn't know Perkins directed with it looking pretty much like any movie youve ever seen with capable photography. And as in the classic part 1, he has it end with his wacko grin glaring up at us. Of course.

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.