When I was younger, Halloween meant two things: gorging yourself on sweetened goodies made purely of Hydrogenated Corn Syrup and the Disney cartoon The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Bing Crosby's narration mixed with the eerie music whenever the Horseman appeared is burned into my psyche. It was a very scary movie for a youngster, but one which forced peeking through the hands covering your eyes. When word was spreading that Tim Burton and Johnny Depp were going to collaborate on this project, I was overly ecstatic. The duo had never disappointed, whether with the amazing Edward Scissorhands or portrayal of gonzo director Ed Wood.
It is almost Y1K when we enter the world of Sleepy Hollow. Semi-bumbling New York City pathologist Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) is sent to investigate a series of bizarre murders in the upstate farming town of Sleepy Hollow. Upon investigating the deaths, Crane adamantly attempts to convince the simple townspeople that it was the work of a mortal murderer, and not some supernatural creature. However, soon enough Crane encounters a multitude of mysterious events that begin to change his opinion.
A conspiracy in the Dutch family Van Tassels adds a minor twist to the plot and insinuates a romantic interlude between Crane and young Katrina Van Tassel (Christina Ricci). Although this flirtation is completely meaningless, it is carried on for way too long. Even the family fighting and twists in the story seem to have been written simply to extend a short story to almost 2 hours. The conclusion to the conspiracy is a big letdown and leads to an almost Scooby Doo-like ending.
The look of Sleepy Hollow is simply stunning. From the very beginning, there is no doubt that you have been transported to New York in 1799. The woods are mix of ominous fog, twisted trees, and enveloping darkness (even more amazing that it was made inside on a soundstage). Even Ichabod's scientific instruments remind us of the mechanical masterpieces of Scissorhands, courtesy of Rick Heinrichs who worked on both.
Tim Burton's ride through Hollywood is a fantastic journey. Beginning with his career working in animation for Disney (he worked on The Fox and The Hound), to making the original Batman. His macabre views of the world with sprinklings of happiness have always been ubiquitous in his films. Burton is always best when he uses his own material, like Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Although Sleepy Hollow is very Burton-esque, adapting an 18th-century American story does not allow him the absolute freedom that he deserves.
Sleepy Hollow is a visual treat. The Headless Horseman is menacing, the huts and houses creak with age, and the swordplay is awesome. If the fighting of the Horseman looks ironically like that of Darth Maul, well Ray Park choreographed both of them. It looks like a film for adults, but carries a Saturday morning cartoon story. Hopefully Tim Burton will crawl back into his haunted house of a mind and produce another original gem like that of past films.
