Psycho IV: The Beginning – Blu-Ray Review
Arriving on Blu-ray this week is “Psycho IV: The Beginning”, the final film in the “Psycho” series. Unlike the original and its first two sequels, “Psycho IV” is the only one to not have a theatrical release. Showtime premiered the film in 1990. Although “Psycho IV” is a sequel, it also serves as a prequel focusing on Norman Bates backstory through flashbacks.
“Psycho IV” was written by Joseph Stefano, who wrote the original “Psycho”. Deciding to completely ignore the events of the previous two sequels, we now see Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) released from the mental hospital and living the married life. During a radio talk show about boys who kill their mothers, Norman calls in and makes it known that he plans to kill again. At first he doesn’t say who he is going to kill or why, but it is pretty easy to figure out.
During the radio show we keep flashing back to Norman’s teen years where he is played by Henry Thomas. We see what his relationship was like with his mother (Olivia Hussey). If you have never seen “Psycho IV”, I will tell you that this story is very different than the current “Bates Motel” television series. Thomas is actually quite good as a young Norman Bates, but it is Hussey that steals the scenes here.
Director Mick Garris followed up 1988’s campy and enjoyable “Critters 2” with “Psycho IV”. Although not the best film in the series, it is leaps and bounds better than “Psycho III”. Garris has a knack for successfully mixing camp with horror, just look at his follow-up film, 1992’s “Sleepwalkers”. “Psycho IV” is a bit more serious than those other two titles but it definitely stands out from the bunch. “Psycho IV” isn’t a must-own title, but if you are a completest like me and can’t just own three out of four movies in a series, then you are going to find yourself grabbing this one. Thankfully there are some great new interviews that help justify the purchase.
Bonus Features
- NEW Audio Commentary with Director Mick Garris, Actors Henry Thomas and Olivia Hussey
- NEW The Making of Mother – An Interview with Make-up Effects Artist Tony Gardner
- Rare Behind-The-Scenes Footage from Director Mick Garris
- Photo Gallery of Rare Photos From Mick Garris
By: Marc Ferman