Psycho: The Story Continues. 4K Blu-ray Boxset by Arrow

This wasn’t my first time watching Psycho II - the 23 years on follow up to the iconic slasher, and I was excited to revisit this again in much higher quality than I had prior. The story itself I found interesting the first time around, and got more appreciation from the little details in the background from this second viewing. The whodunnit spin on the story has you second guessing character’s motives throughout, and Norman is seen as both an empathetic and unstable character, struggling with his past that ultimately ends on a high that is just as satisfying on a repeat viewing.

The movie was shot using Panavision Panaflex cameras on 35mm film, with Arrow producing a new scan from the original camera negative to form a 4K DI - and for that it offered a much higher level of detail from my previous viewing on streaming service. The foreboding house that looms over the motel has never looked better, and even the decor inside shows the wear and tear of the iconic house with clarity.

There’s a great set of interviews and featurettes all included on the 4K disc (no pesky swapping to blu ray), and a couple of audio commentaries I look forward to diving into on future watches. For me, the disc has cemented this as a deserving sequel of one of the most iconic horror films in film history!

Out of the three films in this set, Psycho III was my least favourite - which is not to take away from the fact that this was Anthony Perkins’ directorial debut. This movie made 3 years after the second takes more of the straight slasher route, with some bizarre scenes as the story plays out i.e. feels far removed from what the legacy of the first offered. Overall I was definitely drawn in to how it was going to pan out in the end, and not a bad first time watch as a continuation of Norman’s story

Arrow once again provides the same restoration as before from the 35mm print, and no complaints about the level of details or the colour levels. It sounded great too, particularly as the film features more of an ‘80s rock sound in certain scenes. There aren’t as many extras on this disc, and mostly consist of archival interviews, along with a couple audio commentaries that may offer more valuable insight on a return viewing. Psycho III has its merits, but perhaps as a personal choice I would jump straight to the fourth film from the second, and still get the same great experience!

Being the fourth entry in the franchise normally doesn’t bode well for the viewer - what could Psycho IV: The Beginning possibly offer me at this point that is going to bring entertainment value? Well, for that we have to take a trip down memory lane with Norman and his mother in her youth. Henry Thomas, who I've only seen as a little boy in E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial and as an adult in The Haunting of Hill House and Doctor Sleep, did a great job portraying a young adult version of Norman Bates, with Olivia Hussey played Norman's overbearing mother brilliantly too. I also found the talk show host angle with Norman in the 'present day' pretty unique as well - it almost felt like I was listening in on a true crime podcast!

The Arrow disc delivers again with the 4K quality, especially with the black levels in the cellar scenes or within the creeping around the house flashbacks. The colours of the fireworks really pop with vibrancy, and overall the original camera negative has been cleaned up remarkably well. Not bad going for a made for TV movie!

Sadly this disc has the least amount of features, and would have loved the inclusion of interviews from Henry Thomas and Olivia Hussey with their time on set. Still, a solid ending to the franchise with great performances through and through, and delivered in outstanding 4K quality!