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 is Katrina Van Tassel, the offbeat love interest who alternately
charms and frightens Crane.
The film, while occasionally gory, is not terribly frightening, although
it is extremely 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. |
