There's not a whole lot to say here. I finally watched Psycho IV...yes I'd been avoiding it because most people told me it sucked. And while I wouldn't go so far as to call P-IV a great movie (it's an adequate send off for the beloved series), it is better than I thought it would be. There were some interesting scenes here that shed some light on Norman Bates' transformation from a disturbed and somewhat chemically imbalanced teenager, into the psychotic monster that we see in films I, II, and III. One of the best parts of this movie is the return of Anthony Perkins as the adult Norman. And Henry Thomas does an admirable job as Norman the teenager. But the best performance in the movie, or at least a performance just as good as Perkins', comes from Olivia Hussey as Norma Bates. She effectively plays the part of Norman's very abusive and overbearing mother. Even someone who does not have homicidal tendancies can be pushed past their breaking point. So it stands to reason that a psychotic like Norman, when pushed past his breaking point, turns to serial killing...a murder spree that included the killing of his own mother. One can almost see why Norman turned out the way he did, and no, that is not a justification for killing people. It's simply just the way it is. Psycho IV surprised me. I was prepared to watch this final chapter, and then, more than likely, conclude that it was pretty bad. Well, I watched it, and I can honestly say that it isn't a bad movie. It's actually a pretty decent one, and a admirable addition to the Psycho saga.

Anthony Perkins played Norman Bates for the last and final time. He died the following year of AIDS related illness. In this film, Norman Bates has married a nurse, Connie, and they're having a baby. Olivia Hussey played Norma Bates in flashback. Henry Thomas did a terrific job in playing a young Norman Bates. Norman calls a radio call-in-show, Dr. Fran Ambrose, where he confesses and reveals his past to C.C.H. Pounder in the role. The film returns to the Bates house where it all began. The older Norman revealed the truths about his relationship with his mother. A woman he loved and hated at once. Olivia Hussey is memorable as the mother in the film. The film is in the last of the Psycho series besides Bates Motel. In the end, audiences couldn't get enough of Tony Perkins and Psycho. An actor like Tony Perkins is sorely missed today even decades later.

So this is the first time we get someone else being Norman Bates. One of the most recognizable character names of all times. And while Perkins does reprise his role, there is a younger version in flashbacks here. And while maybe today they would have just CGI-ed Perkins and made him look younger, back in 1990 the technology wasn't there - which led to a young man being able to act in one of the most iconic and I guess disturbing roles out there.

Now Beginnings are always tough to sell. Most viewers do not care or need motivations for disturbed personalities. So to sell this is quite tough. The fact that it ignores the other sequels does not make it easier to access either. Maybe this is the weakest entry (when it comes to the ones Perkins was involved in), but it still is quite interesting if you allow yourself to be enarmoured by the movie and its backstory. Nicely told overall, with really good performances. Maybe if it wasn't Norman this was about, it would have been better received?