Halloween is obviously Burton's favorite holiday!

Rating: 9/10 (8 December 1999)

Tim Burton delivers a truly frightening example of what the Legend of Sleepy Hollow looks like when done right. The voyage of Ichabod Crane from New York to Sleepy Hollow descends the audience into a setting which is the very definition of the word "Spooky". We are kept, just one step behind Ichabod as he delves head-first into the terrible mystery of the Headless Horseman. Burton's characteristic vision transitions between an almost comic-book atmosphere at times and an old world setting so deep one can almost smell the mud and fresh-cut hay. His scenes use this ambiance to center on the the characters and the story rather than provide the audience with pretty view. A great deal of credit must go to Art Direction and Production design. Johnny Depp plays true to Ichabod's character, allowing the shortcomings and nailing the distinctiveness that makes this rendering of Sleepy Hollow so appealing. Christina Ricci makes her complicated role aloof and seductive. A notable entrance by newcomer Marc Pickering as he plays Young Masbath - this boy did such good work I wonder if his role was expanded during filming. This is what child-actors should model! Christopher Walken and Ray Park team up to bring an evil, determined, monster to life in the form of the greatest Headless Horseman to grace the silver screen. A disappointing performance by Starship-Trooper-alum Casper Van Dien and the difficulty of following the names of characters in the film distract from a few key sequences, but they do little damage to a work that is obviously created by people VERY excited about it.
This is the definitive Legend of Sleepy Hollow.