One of those films that will never be forgotten

Rating: 10/10 (21 April 2011)

Psycho is easily one of the greatest movies of all time. It is made by the "Master of Suspense" Alfred Hitchcock, and it is commonly called his greatest work. That being said, most would think that this film already would be great, but great is an understatement as to how awesome this film is. The mix of great suspense, romance, and horror make this movie unique from every film every made. Four characteristics are listed to define a great suspense film: it has to be entertaining, the plot must be complex, it must be strongly visual, and the film must take place in a world beyond good and evil. I think that Psycho definitely has all of these characteristics.
First off, I believe that Psycho is one of the most entertaining films ever created. The mix between action-packed, high intensity scenes and passionate, romance scenes make this movie as great as it is. This movie manages to be action packed even in this generation. Younger people who might be watching this for the first time are not going to see the kind of horror film they're accustomed to seeing. A generation back, most directors tended to build up characters and suspense, so there was a lot more storytelling and less action than you see today. Even so, Psycho still manages to be very entertaining and a lot of fun to watch.
Secondly, I believe that the plot of Psycho is extremely complex, but not to the point where the audience is completely confused at the end. This films plot has many twists and turns, and it keeps you enthralled throughout the whole movie. One of the reasons why this movie is so complex is Hitchcock's use of "pieces of plot". Hitchcock leaves subtle clues around throughout the movie to suggest that they are the main focus of the movie: such as the $40,000 being left on Crane's dresser. These "pieces of plot" leave the audience confused as to what the main focus of the story is, and it perfectly sets them up as to what will happen later in the movie. This movies plot is entertaining and complex, and the ending only solidifies the argument that this is one of the greatest movies ever made.
I believe that Psycho is strongly visual. Hitchcock, like many of the great directors of all time, employs the use of great visual imagery in this movie. For example, in the shower scene, one of the most famous scenes of all time, no words are spoken. However, the audience still completely understands what just went on in the movie. Hitchcock's telling of the story without the use of words makes this movie great, and many strongly visual scenes in this movie will be remembered as some of the greatest scenes in film history.
Psycho definitely takes place in a world beyond good and evil. This movie is not just the simple, stereotypical story of woman goes missing, and people go to look for her. Throughout the movie, it becomes apparent that Hitchcock has way more planned for the audience than just a simple cop versus criminal. Bates is a breed of criminal almost never displayed in movies, a mentally disturbed killer. Bates is one of the best-displayed cases of a psychopath ever seen in film history, and the way he does his crimes exemplifies this. The Bates Hotel represents a place completely oblivious from the laws and punishments of society, a place where anything can happen.
Given the evidence of all that happens in the movie Psycho, it becomes apparent that it is easily one of the greatest suspense films ever made. Psycho's uniqueness and overall intrigue made it an instant American classic. Many years from now, films like Psycho will be remembered as classic American films, and it is films like this that will never be forgotten.