Tim Burton succeeds again

Rating: 10/10 (21 November 1999)

Tim Burton's unique horror and fantasy style lends itself well to this version of Washington Irving's Sleepy Hollow. Set it present day Amaganset county, NY, this tells the story of a New York city investigator who travels north to use his knowledge of science to solve murders in which the heads have been removed. Visually, Sleepy Hollow is a masterpiece. Tim Burton uses his classic style of contrasting light from dark. Using light make up around the faces and dark around the eyes, a la Edward Scissorhands. The horseman's body actors (Rob Inch, Ray Park) are excellent, giving this spirit human-like qualities. (Ray Park's talent for swordsmanship was clearly seen as he played Darth Maul in Episode I.)The CG effects of the horseman are also beautiful. To close, Tim Burton has done it again, creating a captivating, scary and enjoyable visual delight.