Review of Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990) by Steven L — 03 Nov 2011

Despite being a prequel and a third sequel, Psycho IV somehow escapes total pointlessness, and is certainly a marked improvement on the previous film. Based on the optimistic idea that Norman Bates would be released, rehabilitated and married just a few years after the previous film, he calls into a radio talk show with a dilemma: he's going to kill again, and Mother has nothing to do with it.

What follows is largely based in flashbacks, and although reasonably well-acted (Henry Thomas is suitably distant as Norman, but he fails to get across his disarming friendliness, which sort of makes one wonder why so many women keep coming onto him) we learn nothing new or interesting from them.

This is the curse of the prequel, and there's no escaping it. Luckily the "now" plot is quite captivating, as Norman tries to battle his inner demons (as he did in the far superior Psycho II), and Anthony Perkins succeeds as usual in winning our sympathy.

There aren't really any amazing moments and it tells us nothing we couldn't guess about Norman's life, but it's well made enough to avert catastrophe and thankfully signals the end of the withering franchise.

At least they got Perkins back to reprise the role, although he sadly died shortly afterwards, probably leaving some to wonder if he ever played anyone else. Hardly essential, but better than it has any call to be.