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Cast
Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp)
Katrina Van Tassel (Christina Ricci)
Lady Van Tassel (Marie Richardson)
Brom Van Brunt (Casper Van Diem)
Baltus Van Tassel (Michael Gambon)
Directed by Tim Burton Written by Andrew Kevin Walker, based
on "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving
Rated R for graphic horror violence and sexuality
Running Time: 105 minutes Distributed by Paramount
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the Poster!
Sleepy
Hollow is a stunning visionary film that becomes weakened
by its script. Sleepy Hollow is director Tim Burton's retelling
of Washington Irving's 18th century classical novel "The Legend
of Sleepy Hollow". Ichabod Crane (Depp) is an intelligent
investigator assigned to a case of a series of beheadings
in Sleepy Hollow, New York. Locals claim that the killings
are the work of the spectral Headless Horseman, which Crane
doesn't believe for a moment. As Crane investigates more and
more, clues begin to fall in place, and heads continue to
roll.
Tim
Burton's vision and unique direction is a treat to watch with
Sleepy Hollow. However, the script cripples the overall experience
of the film.
Andrew
Kevin Walker wrote Sleepy Hollow. Walker's script is a totally
different angle away from Irving's novel. Walker's version
is darker with more twists. In Irving's novel, the Headless
Horseman doesn't even actually kill anyone. However, Walker
exploits the killing by adapting the Headless Horseman with
a swift sword and a deadly ax. Walker's script has nice presentation
of its characters through out the script. In my opinion the
script does fall apart due to a few cheesy moments and a grim
ending. I learned that Walker's first script didn't achieve
the goals that Burton wanted, so the Academy Award winning
screenwriter of Shakespeare in Love, Tom Stoppard, revised
the script for Burton. I actually thought that the script
would end up being fairly good, but it isn't.
Tim
Burton's direction is vivid and imaginative as always. Burton's
previous credits include Beetlejuice, Batman, Batman Returns,
Edward Scissorhands, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Burton
uses dark and dreary visuals for his films. His direction
is the most enjoyable concept of Sleepy Hollow. Sleepy Hollow
should get an Oscar nomination for its art direction.
The
acting is overall satisfactory in Sleepy Hollow. Johnny Depp
is efficient as the obsessed Ichabod Crane. This is the third
film that Burton and Depp have worked together on. The previous
two films were Edward Scissorhands and Ed Wood. Christina
Ricci seemed out of place in Sleepy Hollow, as Crane's love
interest. I know that she has great talent, and a reputation
for doing dark stories. However, I didn't think that she should
have been cast in Sleepy Hollow. I won't reveal the identity
of the actor who is the Headless Horseman, but he is a great
choice for the role.
Overall,
Sleepy Hollow is a pretty enjoyable film that will bring in
money at the box office. It is a typical Tim Burton film,
which means a dark and vivid picture.
Report
Card Grade: B-
Beastman's
Movie Reviews
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