Psycho II
|
List Price: Our Price: $1.68 You Save: $8.31 (83%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.25 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Psycho II
Movie Review: "I'm telling you there was a note on that wheel from my dead mother!!" -Norman
Summary: 4 Stars
In "Psycho II", Anthony Perkins is back as Norman Bates in the sequel to the seminal horror classic known simply as "Psycho". After twenty some-odd years, Norman has been deemed to be sane by the State of California. Of course, Lyla Loomis (the sister of Marion Crane-the woman Norman killed in the shower) is very upset about this, and she has a few ideas in her mind about how to drive Norman back over the edge. The movie attempts to portray Norman as having regained his sanity, although has he?? The movie leaves that for the viewer to decide, but the inference is that he has, although he is still quite shaky.
Well, things have changed since Norman was run out of business so to speak, but some things just remain the same, like killings around the Bates Motel. Will Lyla manage to push Norman over the edge? Is Norman really sane or is he still up to his old tricks and running around in his mother's clothes again?? And, if Norman isn't killing, then who is? And, what about the mysterious young lady who has taken up residence with Norman?? Does she know what she's getting into or, better yet, does Norman know what he's getting into??? And, finally, could it be that Norman's mother is still alive or only alive in Norman's mind?? All of these questions will be answered in this very nicely constructed sequel to Alfred Hitchcock's classic horror masterpiece.
I must admit that the acting is very good, and Anthony Perkins is outstanding again in his role as Norman Bates. Aside from that, "Psycho II" actually has a very good plot to it, and there is plenty of suspense and a certain atmosphere of pending doom and creepiness to this movie that sets this sequel aside as one of the best horror movie sequels you will see. The mystery of who the murder actually is in this movie is quite compelling.
"Psycho II" is a good little horror movie sequel that delivers an ample dose of horror to the audience. Is it the best movie I've ever seen? No, nor is it near the scariest, but the movie is good and has a very good score that really accentuates a scary atmosphere, at least to some degree. Overall, "Psycho II" is a very good story with great acting and with a creepy atmosphere that captures the viewer in suspense about who the murderer is and haunts the viewer to horrifying aspects of Norman's previous crimes in the original classic. The prospect of Norman's gradually deteriorating psychological state is haunting enough to the audience and with the other aspects to the movie including the mysteries inherent in the plot are sure to keep the horror movie fan happy for the duration of the movie. I highly recommend "Psycho II" to the horror movie fan as an underappreciated sequel with more to it than meets the eye.
Movie Review: A lot better than it has any right to be.
Summary: 4 Stars
"Psycho II" may open by recycling the iconic shower scene from Hitchcock's classic, but rest assured that the rest of the film is hardly a re-hashing of old ideas. Instead, the sequel, which arrived a whopping 23 years after the original, has a few new tricks up its sleeve. You'll be surprised to find that the film actually justifies its own existence by not cheapening the original or itself. More psychological thriller than slasher, it also stood well against the "Friday the 13ths" of its time, instead of falling in line with certain trends of the 1980's.
Directed by Richard Franklin from a script by Tom Holland, "Psycho II" finds Anthony Perkins reprising his iconic role as Norman Bates, while Vera Miles also returns to her character, Hell-bent on avenging her sister's death. The film finds Norman Bates being released from the sanitarium only to return home to resume business at the Bates Motel. Slowly, he works his way back into society by getting a job at a diner, but things go awry very quickly when he takes a co-worker (Meg Tilly) under his wing. Is Mother still nagging him or are there other forces at work?
Frankly, the film isn't as good as the original, but then again, how could it be? Although Hitchcock himself probably wouldn't have bothered with a sequel, "Psycho II" is about as good of an effort as anyone could make. The script is very careful not to repeat the previous film and Perkins in particular is spot on as Norman, having not missed a beat in all the time between films. Those who consider "Psycho" a cinematic delicacy may find a sequel a bit unnecessary, but in all honesty, it's a sequel that deserves to be seen.
"Psycho II" was followed by two more sequels (one being a TV-movie/prequel) and a remake in 1998. Of the four, this is the finest follow-up.
Movie Review: The "Mother" of all sequels (heh, heh)
Summary: 4 Stars
Finally, I can use my Goodtimes DVD of Psycho 2 for a coaster! A belated thanks to Universal for finally giving this superior sequel a decent DVD release.
As for the film itself, it's certainly one of the best sequels ever made. It's 22 years later, and Norman Bates is judged restored to sanity. He takes back his roadside motel from a sleazy manager (a pre-NYPD BLUE Dennis Franz), and takes in a seemingly innocent waitress (Meg Tilly). But even though Norman has put his past behind him, he starts getting notes from "Mother." And someone (Norman?) is dressing up like Mrs. Bates and soon the Bates Motel is back in business, 1960-style.
There are a few surprises--although the identity of the murderer is fairly obvious long before it's revealed. Director Richard Franklin even throws in an admirable Hitchcock cameo! The pacing is deliberate and slow by today's standards, but the performances should hold your attention. Anthony Perkins deserves special mention for recreating his role as the screen's most sympathetic serial killer; his "toasted cheese sandwich" speech is probably the most emotional scene in all four PSYCHO films.
Psycho 2 is a first-rate sequel, one made with obvious care and attention to characters...a far cry from the seemingly endless cycle of slasher films being released around the same time.
Movie Review: Not Hitchcock, But Surprisingly Good
Summary: 4 Stars
The original "Psycho", directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is one of the seminal horror films of all-time. However, Hitch didn't believe in sequels, so it took about two decades and a new director (Richard Franklin) to revive this franchise. Surprisingly, it is an entertaining re=entry into the world of Norman Bates.
For a basic plot summary, "Psycho II" picks up with Bates (Anthony Perkins) being released from prison after his earlier murders. After being brought back to his motel business, Norman begins to struggle once again with the demons of his past.
What really gives this film credence is the return of Perkins as Bates. He does a remarkable job of playing a supposedly "reformed" Bates, both tortured by past memories yet trying to get back on the right mental track. A major role for Vera Miles is also a nice nod to the original.
I can't say much about the plot without giving things away, but suffice it to say that it is very thoughtful as horror flicks go. It's never stale, and the ending easily recalls the "shock factor" of the first effort.
Thus, "Psycho II" is a solid addition to one of the stalwart thriller/horror franchises. It is well-acted, has an engaging plot, and will at least make you curious about checking out part three.
Movie Review: Suprisingly good sequel.
Summary: 4 Stars
22 years later after the incident at the Bates Motel, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) has been released out of the mental institute for the criminally insane and is back home. Even though he's back, he still feels haunted by mother's voice and has a second job as a cook at a diner, he's gotten strange phone calls and notes from someone playing Mother so he or she can drive him back to his original state of insanity.
Very good sequel to Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece of horror has good acting and has Perkins reprising his role as everyone's favorite looney with Meg Tilly, Vera Mills (From the original), Robert Loggia and Dennis Franz co-star. Jerry Goldsmith's score is half as good as the original's score and there's plenty of good scares to make one hell of a good sequel to an all-time masterpiece, there's also a nice twist at the end of this movie.
The DVD has good picture and sound quality with the only extra being the theatrical trailer, if you liked the original then i suggest you give this a try.