A great ride!

Rating: 7/10 (22 November 1999)

One can expect, in a big-budget Thanksgiving spectacular, that the story would depart from the original macabre tale of an awkward school teacher. Once you anticipate Ichabod as a preternaturally handsome, fidgity NYC constable and a healthy dose of kitsch you will find the movie easier to enjoy.
Elfman's scores are always a valuable part of Burton's vision, and his music for Sleepy Hollow is no exception. Burton's presentation might have become heavy-handed for me by the end had it not been for an interesting score. His directing scheme for this one featured (you guessed it!) scenes low on color and high on mist. It has become a Burton cliche (Beetlejuice, Scissorhands, Batman, Nightmare) to give his scenes little color and his leading men lots of vertical/shadowy light, but it simply keeps working in Sleepy Hollow.
Cast and acting: no real detractors (unless Ichabod's cowardice wears on you), the townspeople were well cast and thoughtfully acted, Christina Ricci has come into her own (few hints of Tuesday or Pecker's girlfriend), and Christopher Walken steals the show in his limited maniacal scenes.
In all, the film could have benefitted from some better editing. In its two hours, a few too many people get killed, and though their deaths generally pack a visceral thrill, a touch of restraint might have added to the suspense. Many moviegoers will wish for more restraint in the blood dept. Believe the tagline, heads most certainly will roll; I didn't find it all that gruesome, but I can see how one might.
A few times Burton cashes in on cheap thrills and laughs, but this is still his finest since Batman. The story remains interesting despite the changes and the horseman is awesome (in the traditional biblical sense of the word). Expect some Hollywood-ization of the original, suspend your disbelief and enjoy the hell out of this one on the big screen.