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Sleepy Hollow Review

Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci star in Tim Burton's macabre version of Washington Irving's very short story "The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow." Let me say upfront, that I never have, and don't intend to, read the source material, as it looks boring. The script considerably expands on Irving's characters and moody atmosphere. The movie is very well directed by the Master Of Idiosyncrasy, Tim Burton (see "Edward Scissorhands," a bittersweet love story, or
"Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street," a stylish and operatic "Kill Bill" set in Victorian England). The performances in this movie are first-rate, from Johnny Depp & Christina Ricci right down to the child actor who plays Young Masbath. I love the tender moments in the film (when Katrina holds Young Masbath in her arms and when she holds Ichabod in her arms); those are my favourite bits. What else can I say? I'm very sentimental. The suspense is chilling, and the ending will shock you. When you think, you know what will happen next, think again. Very complex and intriguing gem of a film. I won't say more, lest I give away the plot. "Heads Will Roll."

The special features are quite interesting, beginning with a Making of featurette, and exclusive cast and crew interviews, which are very thorough. However, I think Christopher Lee and Martin Landau should have also been interviewed, as their roles were very small, but significant to the plot of the movie. Also, I'm somewhat disappointed that some scenes in the trailer (and lines of dialogue heard in the Making of featurette) were not in the movie or included as deleted scenes on the DVD.

I highly recommend the film. It's worth repeated viewings to fully understand the complex (but well defined) plot. It deserved the R rating, for graphic horror violence and gore, and a scene of sexuality.

Sleepy Hollow Feature

Sleepy Hollow Overview

Master storyteller Tim Burton (Batman, Edward Scissorhands) weaves an eerie, enchanting version of the classic tale of horror. Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean 1 & 2) is Ichabod Crane, an eccentric investigator determined to stop the Headless Horseman. Christina Ricci (Monster) is Katrina Van Tassel, the beautiful and mysterious girl with secret ties to the supernatural terror.

Sleepy Hollow Specifications

The films of Tim Burton shine through the muck like a jack-o-lantern on a foggy October night. After such successes as The Nightmare Before Christmas and Edward Scissorhands, it should come as no surprise that Sleepy Hollow is a dazzling film, a delicious reworking of Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Dark and moody, the film is a thrilling ride back to the turn of the 19th century. Johnny Depp stars as Ichabod Crane, a seemingly hapless constable from New York City who is sent to the small town of Sleepy Hollow to solve the mystery of the decapitations that are plaguing the town. Crane is a bumbling sort, with a tremendous faith in science over mysticism, and he comes up against town secrets, bewitching women, and a number of bodies missing heads. Christina Ricci, as beautiful as ever, is Katrina Van Tassel, the offbeat love interest who alternately charms and frightens Crane.

The film, while occasionally gory (as one should expect from a movie about a headless horseman), is not terribly frightening, although it is suspenseful. Both Depp and Ricci are convincing, and the art direction and production values give the village its harsh feel. Toward the end, once the secrets are revealed, the film does slow down; however, this stylistic horror film provides many tricks and even more treats. --Jenny Brown

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