Sleepy Hollow

After returning from a leave of absence in the genre, toying with his biopic "Ed Wood" and satire "Mars Attacks," Tim Burton once again proves his mastery over all that is morbid, brooding, and nightmarish in cinema, tackling material that fans should savor at: the retelling of an old American literary horror classic - the legend of Sleepy Hollow.

The story, which most are somewhat familiar with, is that of Ichabod Crane (played by Johnny Depp), a constable who wishes to use and develop techniques in forensic science to solve crimes, rather than watch bureaucracy simply dump corpses and fill out paperwork. As his attitude and quest for justice seems to annoy those around him, he is sent to Sleepy Hollow, a town clearly in need of his services. Murder is the crime, and the method is beheading. The culprit is claimed to be a headless horseman, who feels no pity or remorse in his crimes. What soon follows is Crane’s search for truth, immersing himself in town politics, witchcraft, and even love.

What stands out in this film is not the content of the film, but the style. As Tim Burton is noted and judged by standards of style, this alone may rank "Sleepy Hollow" as his best film. Burton utilizes the autistic genius of numerous craftsmen in every aspect of the production design. The sets, costume, and cinematography are captivating as they completely recreate the period with all of its mystery and elegance. The cinematography alone is quite pictorial, as it strives to capture the most beautifully composed shots as possible, and added with the effects of mists and crackling sound (especially for the beheading sequences), the film creates a striking mystique for its viewers. Along with that comes a virtuoso score composed by Burton’s musical partner-in-crime Danny Elfman, a story written by gore scribe Andrew Kevin Walker (famous for "Seven" and "The Game"), and sword fights choreographed by master of dueling Ray Park (Darth Maul of "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace").

Burton’s actors are in on the magic as well. Depp manages to display bravado, weakness, femininity, wit, and a full range of quirky characteristics that cements him as the actor who can express vintage Burton. Christina Ricci, most probably known as "the Winona Ryder replacement for the Tim Burton actress slot," does well to define her role as the Crane’s bewitching love interest.

Though a horror film, "Sleepy Hollow" manages to inject a surprisingly large amount of humor for a rather morbid and unsettling plot. The film also includes the token "nightmarish fantasy dream sequence," a staple of Burton’s films. As a pure entertainer "Sleepy Hollow" does not disappoint. The beheading sequences are jaw-dropping for those with a testosterone inclination, so squeamish viewers beware. The script does take liberties with the original story, but Washington Irving would be proud of his classic being reborn.