Psycho II
Posted: 28 Sep 2005, 16:07
PSYCHO II
***.5/4
Just watched the new 16:9 DVD and the film is better than ever.
Normally I would have added this to the short takes thread... but I really wanted to draw your attention to this long awaited and most welcome R1 release.
Psycho II is a remarkably good sequel to Hitchcock's classic and is far better than it had any right to be (and to see the idea screwed-up check out the dire Psycho remake or sloppy sequels Psychos III and IV - or rather don't).
Anthony Perkins is sutterly superb as Norman Bates: every nervous tic, vocal inflection and almost childlike reaction are spot on. In a just world he would've owned an Oscar for either this film, the original, or both. Impressive too is the supporting cast with the pretty Meg Tilly (whatever happened to her?), grouchy Robert Loggia and veteran from the original, Vera Miles, all up to scratch.
The script is excellent, with a psychological depth untapped in the original movie, and a peculiarly apt sense of tragedy and sadness enveloping Norman's character. I've actually never seen a horror movie before or since with this much natural depth. Hitchcock disciple Richard Franklin - also helmer of Aussie cult chiller Road Games - directs with supreme craftmanship. This film is more about suspense than gore (aside from the few necessary and not overly graphic murder scenes).
Jerry Goldsmith contributes a haunting score that doesn't merely retread Bernard Herrmann's work.
If you've never seen this gem or only remember it from some late night TV screening 10 years ago give it another chance...
P.S. An anamorphic remaster of the original Psycho is due out next month (both here and in the US).
***.5/4
Just watched the new 16:9 DVD and the film is better than ever.
Normally I would have added this to the short takes thread... but I really wanted to draw your attention to this long awaited and most welcome R1 release.
Psycho II is a remarkably good sequel to Hitchcock's classic and is far better than it had any right to be (and to see the idea screwed-up check out the dire Psycho remake or sloppy sequels Psychos III and IV - or rather don't).
Anthony Perkins is sutterly superb as Norman Bates: every nervous tic, vocal inflection and almost childlike reaction are spot on. In a just world he would've owned an Oscar for either this film, the original, or both. Impressive too is the supporting cast with the pretty Meg Tilly (whatever happened to her?), grouchy Robert Loggia and veteran from the original, Vera Miles, all up to scratch.
The script is excellent, with a psychological depth untapped in the original movie, and a peculiarly apt sense of tragedy and sadness enveloping Norman's character. I've actually never seen a horror movie before or since with this much natural depth. Hitchcock disciple Richard Franklin - also helmer of Aussie cult chiller Road Games - directs with supreme craftmanship. This film is more about suspense than gore (aside from the few necessary and not overly graphic murder scenes).
Jerry Goldsmith contributes a haunting score that doesn't merely retread Bernard Herrmann's work.
If you've never seen this gem or only remember it from some late night TV screening 10 years ago give it another chance...
P.S. An anamorphic remaster of the original Psycho is due out next month (both here and in the US).
