Paul Magne Haakonsen This last entry to the "Psycho" franchise actually was almost as good as the original 1960 movie.It was really nice to get to go back in time and see the childhood of Norman Bates, and see what shaped him into what he was. And as always, it was good to have Anthony Perkin to revisit the role of Normal Bates."Psycho IV: The Beginning" had an allround good acting performance from the cast. And the cast that they assembled for "Psycho IV: The Beginning" was indeed good.The storyline was interesting, entertaining and well-paced. However, it was not the best of endings´, as it was a bit too generic and you sort of saw it coming a mile away.If you have enjoyed the previous three "Psycho" movies in much or less degree, then you would definitely want to finish it off with watching part 4, because it is a good addition to the franchise.

OllieSuave-007 This is an enjoyable final chapter in the Psycho trilogy, returning Anthony Perkins one final time to the screen as Norman Bates, who this time calls into a radio station to tell his story about his mother to the DJ doing a segment on matricide.It's a intrigue-filled TV movie that cleverly tells the relationship between Norman and his mother and how her domineering and uncaring ways brought Norman to matricide and then, finally, to insanity. Henry Thomas plays a young Norman Bates well - convincing, vulnerable and edgy - and Olivia Hussey plays a Norman Bates with stunning beauty, yet with craftiness and spitefulness.While the movie focuses on the origin of Norman Bates' insanity and crimes (which I thought could have been made a little more creepy), the plot adds a twist to it in the part where the adult Norman (Anthony Perkins) tells the radio station that he intends to kill again, throwing everybody into added suspense. Everything then comes full circle to a fitting conclusion of the trilogy.Grade A-

Zbigniew_Krycsiwiki The explanation by the good doctor at the end of the original Psycho is expanded, in laborious, uncomfortable detail, here, and to lesser effect.Awkward TV-movie shows us in far too graphic of detail the abuse and trauma experienced by a young Norman Bates at the hands of his mother, and how that drove him to kill. The story is played out through a lengthy series of flashbacks, as Norman is a caller on a radio talk show about matricide. Fairly interesting premise, but watching someone physically, sexually, and psychologically abusing their kid is extremely difficult to watch, and after a while, the viewer feels almost as traumatised as Norman.The set design was fairly dull, too.

sunznc My least favorite of the series. CCH Pounder and Henry Thomas do a good job with their character's as does Tony Perkins however, the entire production seems on shaky ground, seems weak. Something very much lacking here. I don't think Olivia Hussey was particularly well cast for this. She has the look but at times her accent comes out and there were moments when her performance just didn't seem sincere. Almost as if perhaps she herself wasn't quite sure what to do with the role. Nothing seemed fleshed out here. We almost learn too much and that is never a good thing. But of all the sequels this one lacks the most bite, never really grabs you and shakes you. Psycho 2 and 3 are actually quite good and this isn't bad, there are some good moments, but nothing excellent. Lastly, Norman's wife is very dry and cold. I can't imagine that she would make anyone think of marriage or sex, not even Norman Bates.