Psycho III Review
This modest but stylish chiller occasionally dips into slasher movie mayhem, but is otherwise surprisingly witty and inspired. Charles_Edward_Pogue's tidy script skillfully alternates its gruesome bits of business with plenty of snappy dialogue and works in some clever twists, including a new revelation about Norman's mother. It also incorporates some deliciously macabre bits of humor, the funniest bit being a moment where Norman tries to keep the other characters from noticing a body stashed in a nearby icebox. In terms of acting, Anthony_Perkins pulls off the difficult balancing act of being both sympathetic and scary as Norman Bates. His work is nicely bolstered by some excellent supporting performances, including Jeff_Fahey's reptilian turn as the amoral, silver-tongued drifter out to rip Norman off and Diana_Scarwid's affecting work as the vulnerable ex-nun who falls for Norman. Perkins also does a surprisingly accomplished job as director, working in inspired visual quotes from Vertigo and the original Psycho and also staging some unique sequences of his own design (the best is a stunning moment where the suicidal heroine mistakes a backlit Norman for the Virgin Mary). The only real problems with Psycho III are that it sometimes goes a bit too heavy on blood during its shock sequences and also throws in some gratuitous nudity, the most unusual moment being a bizarre and arty sex scene that feels like it was cut in from a Zalman_King production. Despite these occasional lapses, Psycho III is a tight little thriller that is likely to please horror fans. Donald Guarisco, Rovi
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