Atmospheric chiller

Rating: Null/10 (9 August 2000)

The basic plot: A skeptical and modern investigator, Ichabod Crane ,is assigned to a supernatural-ish case in small Sleepy Hollow, but soon descends into a dark web of murder,madness, and witchcraft.
The praise: A spooky, dreamlike film.Johnny Depp is a tense object of nervous waves and intense delicacy in a great performance. Miranda Richardson is also very good in a good- hides-evil type performance. The film is incredible with it's mood and damp atmosphere , and as it exudes violence and grotesquerie , the combination of those two and the dark fantasy of the magic or supernatural scenes helps for perfect atmospherics. The inclusion of magic lanterns , technically complex crime toys and gadgets, and a frigid score help. Excellent cinematography. Great suspense and technical engineering at the end. The last shot is a picture perfect one of 18'th century New York, in a sophistacate snowstorm. This film literally DRIPS Burton from top to bottom to top. Ultraviolent.
The flaws: The plot can seem tattered or confusing at times , and Christina Ricci gives an insubstantial performance.
Note: The headless horseman looks like Sid Vicious! I'm listening to the Talking Heads singing "Burning Down the House" right now just to pad this review out.