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Psycho 2
1983
Norman Bates returns home to be greeted by who else but his mother Read more
| Starring | Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, Meg Tilly, Robert Loggia |
|---|---|
| Director | Richard Franklin |
| Genres | Thriller |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Two decades after the motel murders, Norman Bates is released from the asylum and returns to the scene of his crimes — but has “Mother” come too? Of course, this isn't Hitchcock, but it's a highly credible, nicely creepy and well paced sequel, and Anthony Perkins reprises his most famous role with no visible signs of ennui. There are several other enjoyable and gritty performances, most notably from original cast member Vera Miles, still seeking vengeance for her sister's demise in the first film, and Dennis Franz as the motel manager whose entrepreneurial skills are not appreciated by Mr Bates. Great fun.
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With Norman Bates judged sane and released from mental hospital 22 years after the Crane shower murder, things revert... read more on Time Out
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A reasonably inventive sequel, if on the gory side. It probably holds the record for the longest delayed follow-up.
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Good
I liked this thought it was realy good would say better than the 1st in some ways.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
TOP MOVIE !!!
A sequel to one of the most popular horror films of all time, this psychological thriller received a pleasantly surprised, positive critical reception. Anthony Perkins returns as Norman Bates, who has just been released from an insane asylum after 22 years, having been judged clinically sane by the State of California over the objections of Lila Crane Loomis (Vera Miles), sister to one of Norman's murder victims. Norman returns home to the hotel and hilltop mansion he once inhabited with his mother. As a parole condition, Norman is hired at a local diner, where he struggles to join mainstream society, despite the stares of patrons aware of his past. At the diner, Norman befriends Mary (Meg Tilly), a waitress, and it seems that he may be putting some semblance of a life back together. But then Norman begins to experience hallucinatory encounters with his long-dead mother, including a handwritten note, a phone call, and a sighting of her standing at her favorite window. Is Norman's psychosis manifesting itself again, or are old enemies attempting to drive him back into an institution? As the pressure mounts, bodies pile up, and Norman's fragile hold on normality becomes more and more tenuous.
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Not bad... But a mere shadow of the original
I have to admit that my expectations of this film weren't very high, but it was slightly better than I had anticipated. The storyline fits in well with the original film, and there were a few interesting twists!
However, it was missing those magic Hitchcock touches that made the original such a masterpiece. I feel this could've been a much better film if Franklin had made more of an attempt to bring his own style to the film, rather than trying to be an 'imitation Hitchcock'.
It is interesting that Perkins chose to reprise his famous role as Norman Bates, although his performance here seems a little lacklustre. None of the performances really 'stood out' - and it did have something of a 'made for TV' quality to it!
In all, this film has a strong plot, but unfortunately fell into the trap of being good in theory, but poorly executed. -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Not bad... But a mere shadow of the original
I have to admit that my expectations of this film weren't very high, but it was slightly better than I had anticipated. The storyline fits in well with the original film, and there were a few interesting twists!
However, it was missing those magic Hitchcock touches that made the original such a masterpiece. I feel this could've been a much better film if Franklin had made more of an attempt to bring his own style to the film, rather than trying to be an 'imitation Hitchcock'.
It is interesting that Perkins chose to reprise his famous role as Norman Bates, although his performance here seems a little lacklustre. None of the performances really 'stood out' - and it did have something of a 'made for TV' quality to it!
In all, this film has a strong plot, but unfortunately fell into the trap of being good in theory, but poorly executed. -
Psycho 2
I never did understand why it took so long to make a sequel of the 1960s Hitchcock classic. This isn't a spark on the original, but that would be an unfair comparision, but two sequels were to follow and this is the best amongst them. It is worth watching just for Perkins' role as the original serial slasher, with good support from NYPD Blues Dennis Franz and Meg Tilly (what happenned to her?) plus Vera Miles also renewing her role from the original.
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4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Good
I liked this thought it was realy good would say better than the 1st in some ways.
-
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
TOP MOVIE !!!
A sequel to one of the most popular horror films of all time, this psychological thriller received a pleasantly surprised, positive critical reception. Anthony Perkins returns as Norman Bates, who has just been released from an insane asylum after 22 years, having been judged clinically sane by the State of California over the objections of Lila Crane Loomis (Vera Miles), sister to one of Norman's murder victims. Norman returns home to the hotel and hilltop mansion he once inhabited with his mother. As a parole condition, Norman is hired at a local diner, where he struggles to join mainstream society, despite the stares of patrons aware of his past. At the diner, Norman befriends Mary (Meg Tilly), a waitress, and it seems that he may be putting some semblance of a life back together. But then Norman begins to experience hallucinatory encounters with his long-dead mother, including a handwritten note, a phone call, and a sighting of her standing at her favorite window. Is Norman's psychosis manifesting itself again, or are old enemies attempting to drive him back into an institution? As the pressure mounts, bodies pile up, and Norman's fragile hold on normality becomes more and more tenuous.
-
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Not bad... But a mere shadow of the original
I have to admit that my expectations of this film weren't very high, but it was slightly better than I had anticipated. The storyline fits in well with the original film, and there were a few interesting twists!
However, it was missing those magic Hitchcock touches that made the original such a masterpiece. I feel this could've been a much better film if Franklin had made more of an attempt to bring his own style to the film, rather than trying to be an 'imitation Hitchcock'.
It is interesting that Perkins chose to reprise his famous role as Norman Bates, although his performance here seems a little lacklustre. None of the performances really 'stood out' - and it did have something of a 'made for TV' quality to it!
In all, this film has a strong plot, but unfortunately fell into the trap of being good in theory, but poorly executed. -
Much better than I expected
can't give this 5 stars because i'm a firm believer than sequels to 5-star films (like Hitchcock's 1960 film 'Psycho') can never quite match the quality and entertainment value of the original. This is no exception to that rule, as it really drags out the whole 'mother's still alive' thing and twists it around so much it is untrue. However... if you like a bit of mystery, and you don't mind a bit of gore (because this time round we actually see stabbing!) this is a nice little 'lets play sherlock holmes' film! Anthony Hopkins delivers a fantastic performance as the now released from prison Norman Bates and Vera Miles & Meg Tilly give nice performances of the stranger mother/daughter duo out to drive Norman Crazy again! Very strange and complex story and lots of twists. Don't expect it to be action packed but i do think it's an 'unsung' cinema gem.
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Not bad for a sequel.
For a sequel, the film can be watched and enjoyed without having to see the first part. True, the film is not quite as good as its number one, but is still enjoyable.
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BETTER THAN EXPECTED
THIS FILM WAS CREEPY AND EXTREMELY WELL ACTED, ESPECIALLY BY ANTHONY PERKINS. IF I HADN'T SEEN THE 1ST MOVIE IN THE SERIES, I WOULD'VE GIVEN IT 5 STARS!
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exelent
this film was as good as the first one. it got you feeling sorry for the guy, and the killing was worse, and I couldn't look. I liked it a lot.
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not bad
not too bad worth a watch, is a bit slow in parts
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Well made sequel
I had forgotten how much I used to enjoy this film. Although it is not a patch on the original it is a great sequel that does not go for the easy options. True, it is a bit of a cash in and does replicate some of the famous scenes and shots of the original, and it also has the feel of a generic slasher from the early 80s (because it is) but the slow pace, limited dead count and eerie atmosphere is fantastic. Ignore the Terminator style rubber hands and heads and enjoy brilliant 80s horror at its finest.
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[Highly rated reviewer]
Worth the effort
Rented for nostalgia as remembered watching at the cinema on its release. Above average story for a sequel to one of the most famous films. Wouldn't buy it though.
Critics' reviews (3)
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Two decades after the motel murders, Norman Bates is released from the asylum and returns to the scene of his crimes — but has “Mother” come too? Of course, this isn't Hitchcock, but it's a highly credible, nicely creepy and well paced sequel, and Anthony Perkins reprises his most famous role with no visible signs of ennui. There are several other enjoyable and gritty performances, most notably from original cast member Vera Miles, still seeking vengeance for her sister's demise in the first film, and Dennis Franz as the motel manager whose entrepreneurial skills are not appreciated by Mr Bates. Great fun.
-
With Norman Bates judged sane and released from mental hospital 22 years after the Crane shower murder, things revert... read more on Time Out
-
A reasonably inventive sequel, if on the gory side. It probably holds the record for the longest delayed follow-up.
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
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