Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow"!

Rating: Null/10 (20 November 1999)

After one of Tim Burton's greatest disappointments, "Mars Attacks", he has come back with something that can definitely be categorized as a "Tim Burton" film. But he hasn't made a film like this one before, and that's part of what makes it so good. He has made little use of humor, made it more gothic and scary, and has added what none of his previous films have had, gore. The result was an example of movie masterpiece, Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow". Now when I say it's Tim Burton's movie, it is his movie, not simply in the sense of the visual style and humor. Washington Irving's story has changed. Ichabod Crane is a cop, sent to the town of Sleepy Hollow to investigate a string of murders that have been occurring. The townsfolk blame it on the legend of the headless horsemen, which is what it is. Tim Burton has also added a complex, more checkered past to the Ichabod character, in which he is tormented in flashbacks, by the death of his mother. This also is the first Tim Burton that I can remember having this much excitement. The whole thing was very exciting and it was a real trip! It was also scary in some scenes, something else Tim Burton finally showed the world he could do. His previous films were gothic, dark, comic, bizarre, or ingenious, but never scary. Beware though, don't be fooled by the ideas you have formed in your head about this film being another cute rendition of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". This is no "Happy Halloween" folly with a cute little jack-o-lantern. This is serious, gory, scary stuff! As for the cast, Johnny Depp is perfect for the role as Ichabod, but as good looking as Christina Ricci is, her character is somewhat overlooked. Much of the rest of the cast members can be easily found in other Tim Burton films. Christopher Walken is, again, a villain, as the headless horseman before he lost his head. But the real dynamic duo is the collaborative filmmaking relationship between Johnny Depp and Tim Burton. When these two work together, you know it's going to be good. I like everything Tim Burton has done, minus "Mars Attacks". Now he has added another great film to his legacy, his own vision of what he thinks the legend of "Sleepy Hollow" should be like!