Visually stunning

Rating: 8/10 (2 December 1999)

Despite a surprisingly weak screenplay (even with Tom Stoppard's polishing), Tim Burton's latest is still a triumph through sheer visual panache. This is easily the most sensuously beautiful movie I have seen in a very long time. Certainly the Tree of the Dead is a haunting image, although the Horseman himself becomes less scary as the movie progresses simply because we see so much of him that he becomes more mundane. The "surprise" ending is tipped by an obvious bit of casting, but overall this movie is still a vibrant experience, and I can't wait to see those lush images again. The DVD should be a knockout!