One of the best horror films...

Rating: 9/10 (13 December 2012)

This is an extremely well made horror movie. Prior to this, I watched Silence of the Lambs and found it extremely dull (for my taste) and so expected much the same here. I was WRONG!
From the first fifteen minutes, the tone of creepiness was playing along mainly due to the creepy musical score. I found the story quite enjoyable. Slowly, as we meet Norman Bates the film starts to feel extremely terrifying and the motel feels a bit like Camp Green Lake from Friday the 13th.
The things that were done so well are numerous
***ACTING***
Acting was terrific especially by Anthony Perkins. He gave the extremely realistic portrayal of who Norman Bates was.
All the supporting actors/actresses around him did a great job but Anthony Perkins drove the story along the best!
***SCORE***
The musical score is the most terrifying thing about this film and adds the extra tension to it. It was superbly done, much like John Carpenter's 1978 Halloween where the musical score is what gave everyone the fright
***DIRECTING***
Alfred Hitchcock's directing of the film was superb. Many regard this as his best film and even though I have not seen any other Hitchcock film, I can understand why. The pacing, the dialogue, the correct casting and the right plot and characters were handled exceptionally well by Hitchcock.
***STORY***
The story here was extremely interesting and made sure you wanted to watch the end of the film. The way the entire story unfolds by the end and the twist it takes was so well done that most film experts wouldn't have guessed it coming.
***CHARACTERS***
Unlike many stupid slasher films such as Friday the 13th where half the characters are complete jerks and you honestly don't give a s**t what happens, the same does not happen here. Every character has some problem during their life: Sam, Marion and Norman. When characters such as Abergast and Marion die, you feel the certain pity.
Overall, this film is exceptional. Those who haven't seen it, please do yourself a favor now and watch it.