The Headless Horseman Rides With A Vengeance

Rating: 9/10 (20 November 1999)

From the moment I first saw the previews of Sleepy Hollow, I had my heart set on seeing this film. And to say the least, I was not disappointed with the end results. This film was a visual feast, and one of the most startling contemporary horror films that I have seen. Burton is a master at making film, and this one was , in my opinion, his best. Will it win an oscar or be remembered fifty years from now (like Citizen Kane), who knows? All I can say is that if you go in with that outlook, you might not enjoy it as much as I did. This film drips a gothic ambiance. Everything about it has a flavor that reminds one of the horror films of the sixties (especially the Hammer films). The landscapes transport you away to a world shrouded in mist, where even a forest in broad daylight hides dark secrets and mysterious creatures at every turn. As for the Horseman himself, a demonic dark avenger summoned from beyond the grave, he is an embodiment of evil that is more menacing than many I have seen of late, and excellently brought to life by the combined efforts of a terrifically creepy Christopher Walken (when he had a head) and stuntman extrodinaire Ray Park (of Phantom Menace fame) when he is in full action. Some of the scenes when the Horseman is using his sword and axe are breathtakingly staged. Johnny Depp as Icobad Crane was extremely good, although he seemed a bit of a coward at times. Christina Ricci gets better every time I see her in a movie. The rest of the supporting cast was excellent as well, and I could see that Mr. Burton likes to pull familiar faces around him in even the smallest of roles (like Martin Landau's brief performance). This film is a bit predictable at times, and can be a stretch of the imagination, but well worth the money I paid to see it and at the top of my DVD must-have list.