Psycho

Director - Alfred Hitchcock (Rear Window, Vertigo)

Starring - Anthony Perkins (Psycho II, Psycho III), Vera Miles (The FBI Story, Alfred Hitchcock Presents), and John Gavin (Spartacus, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour)

Release Date - 1960

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "A new- and altogether different - screen excitement!"

Format - 4K Ultra HD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5): 

     I've been fortunate enough over the years to review some modern day hits, indie masterpieces, and legendary horror films that were re-released on a new format.  When I get one of these classic films in for review I always feel like I'm contributing a small piece to movie history.  Psycho is one of the most iconic horror films and a movie that is still discussed all these decades later.  When I was sent this 4K box set to review with Psycho included I had a rush of excitement go over me.  I couldn't wait to dive into this one.

     The film follows lonely hotel owner Norman (Perkins) who lost his mother several years ago but refuses to let her memory go.  His mental state allows him to slip in and out of his own consciousness and into that of his mother which has resulted in Norman killing several of his tenants.  When a sister and her boyfriend start searching for a woman that had stolen 40 thousand dollars and skipped town they track her to Norman's hotel where he becomes the prime suspect in her disappearance.  

     Psycho, as I stated earlier, is one of the most iconic horror films to ever be released and one of Hitchcock's titular titles.  The film inspired several sequels, a remake, and a television show with countless fans forever immortalizing Norman Bates and Marion Crane's shower scene on posters, artwork, tattoos, and other forms of memorabilia.  Reviewing this film is almost like reviewing The Goonies and Beetlejuice because everyone has seen it but I wasn't allowing that to stop me from checking out the 4K transfer.  The acting in this one is great.  I wouldn't compare it to Rear Window but Anthony Perkins does a phenomenal job creating the now iconic character of Norman Bates.  His calm and innocent demeanor that slow moves into the land of the unstable is brilliant and really works well with the story.  Janet Leigh's performance is great even though she is in the film for just a short time.  Her shower scene may very well be one of the most iconic scenes in movie history.  The supporting cast is great but those characters are easily forgettable.  The story for this one is simple enough but is stretched a little thin at times.  The meek mannered man that is obsessed with his dead mother killing tenants in a hotel is a absolutely brilliant story for a horror film but some of the scenes do drag out a bit too long.  The dialogue heavier scenes does drag the tone of the film down just a bit.  It still works but it a tad too long.  Finally, though a horror film, this one is not a bloody masterpiece like more modern horror tales.  We do get some practical effects but nothing that will last with the viewer.  Overall, Psycho is an absolutely brilliant horror thriller from the master of suspense.  The 4K transfer is picture perfect but the black and white tone is not lost in the upgrade.