Sleepy Hollow (1999)

This is exactly the film we expect it to be. Tim Burton doesn't really pull out any surprises. He just simply presents what we expect of him. Anyone who is not satisfied with that is not really a Burton fan.

The film looks like a damn good ghost story should too. Burton's grainy and washed out color are beautiful to behold. His flaming jack-o-lanterns, powdered humans and straw- stuffed scarecrows all look marvellous here. He spooks us and impresses us at every turn in the film.

The story, what there is of it, is a bit flimsy though. Ichabod Crane, a modern-thinking, New York detective living in an archaic society, is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate some murders by decapitation. When he arrives, he finds the locals all shrouded in mystery and legend concerning the deaths and he sets out to find the true killer. Oft times, during the course of the film, we think it's all gonna turn into one big "Scooby Doo" episode. (And I would've gotten away with it too if it weren't for that darn Ichabod Crane). But in the end, it doesn't get quite that trite. Still, it does turn into a slightly silly, overly twisted and frayed resolution. Luckily it doesn't matter who the killer is anyway, for the film is truly a revisionist history (of a scary bedtime story, no less) that champions style over substance, like many of Burton's films do.

Johnny Depp is tremendously fun as Crane. Playing up the lilly-livered aspect of the character, Depp trembles and cowers his way through the film like so much white-powdered Jello. He actually has some quite amusing moments that, I think, are lost on many who see the film. He even makes his silly romance with the statuesque Christina Ricci (probably still mad she didn't get that part in "Bettlejuice") work. Also along for the ride, and quite good, are Jeffrey Jones, Casper Van Dien (in a one-dimensional role), Miranda Richardson and Christopher Walken. The latter looks completely menacing and cool-as-hell as a savage marauder on horseback who has sharpened his teeth to little points so he can bite his victims. And then finally there is Marc Pickering as Crane's young charge. Given absolutely nothing to do, the young man still finds time to make us like him. Given a role with some depth and meaning, watch out! Burton does seem to use him for this: Every time some horrible sight comes on screen, Pickering is told to "stay here" or "don't look." Could Burton be making a commentary on our societal morality which says children should be shielded from gruesome images? And, if so, what side of the fence does he come down on? Is this his desire, to have children shielded from grisly sights? Or is he saying the opposite?

"Sleepy Hollow" finds Burton seemingly at ease working in his well traveled, modern spooky genre. Ain't nothing wrong with that. Still, it will be nice when he gives us that spark of something new and wicked again.

Note:

Also with Michael Gambon, Christopher Lee, Lisa Marie and an uncredited Martin Landau.

Music by Danny Elfman. Produced by Francis Ford Coppola.

Based on "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving, which has been filmed numerous times. Script by Andrew Kevin Walker ("seven").

Report Card

Script: B-

Acting: A-

Cinematography\Lighting: A+

Special Effects\Make Up:A+

Music:C

Final Grade: B-