MOVIES  
 

SLEEPY HOLLOW
A Paramount Pictures release

review by Joe Mauceri
  SYNOPSIS: Yagher and Walker put a 90's spin on the classic tale of Washington Irving. Ichabod Crane, a New York constable, is sen to the quiet hamlet of Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of murders. If his beloved scientific methods are unable to solve the case, he should not return. The ungodly truth behind the mystery will shake his faith in science.

REVIEW: A remarkable collaboration of talent, both behind and in front of the camera, unite to deliver a fresh spin on a literary masterpiece. Andrew Kevin Walker, the scribe of "Seven" and "8mm," and joins forces with special effects wizard Kevin Yagher to weave a magical spell around Irving's tale. The frightful duo adds a bounty of special effect sequences and a tangled gothic mystery. The lighter moments flow from a combination of characterization and performance by Depp as Crane. He is an unsure man of science that is faced with the illogical world of the supernatural. By contrast, the horseman is slick and stylish killing machine, who also happens to have a wicked smile when he is wearing the head of Walken.

Burton sizes the opportunity, creating a film that is inspired by years of experience and a unique cinematic language. Burton gives SLEEPY HOLLOW a new and distinct look that doesn't easily call to mind his previous works. There is a lyrical style to Burton's camera work that seduces the audience. It is timeless film that is beautiful to behold. The costumes are gorgeous, and the production designs are miraculous. The special effects are a seamless marriage of physical effects, in-camera wonders and the magic of C.G.I. entwined with a brilliant score by Danny Elfman. Elfman's score is as fresh as Burton's vision.

The cast is delightful! The British veterans lend a sense and sensibility to the story. Burton allows Depp to strut his stuff and create a memorable cinematic character. It has a bit of Vincent Price, blended with a dash of Basil Rathbone, and a pinch of Ed Wood's peculiarity thrown in for good measure. Christina Ricci is enchanting, as Miranda Richardson provides contrast as the wicked stepmother. There is a nice selection of cameos, but the most enjoyable, as a horror fan, is Christopher Lee.

SLEEPY HOLLOW is a perfect combination of gothic storytelling, nightmarish images, suburb talent and inspired production designs. This is the film Burton was born to make. SLEEPY HOLLOW is an unparallel fightfest that is born a cinematic classic.

OFFICIAL WEB SITE:
www2.sleepyhollowmovie.com
 
 

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OVERALL WORTH 
based on a manhattan price 
of $9.50
STORY $9.50
ACTING $9.50
DIRECTING $9.50
PRODUCTION
DESIGN 		 $9.50
SPECIAL
EFFECTS 		 $9.50
SCORE/MUSIC $9.50
"REAL" VALUE $9.50

SUMMARY:
The classic tale reinvigorated with a 90's sensibility. / Beautiful, bold and brash, this is the film Burton was born to direct. / Burton conjures up a cinematic fairy tale, with a hammer horror after bite.

CREDITS:
CREW: Director - Tim Burton; Based on a Story by Washington Irving; Screen story & Screenplay by Kevin Yagher & Andrew Kevin Walker; Producer - Francis Coppola; Executive Producers - Larry J. Franco, Scott Rudin & Adam Schroeder; Cinematographer - Emmanuel Lubezki; Score - Danny Elfman; Production Designer - Rick Heinrichs; Costume Designer - Colleen Atwood; Fight Choreographer - Ray Park; Special Effects - Kevin Yagher; Visual Effects Co-Ordinator ILM - Theresa; Supervising Visual Effects Designer CFC - Paddy Eason
CAST: Johnny Depp....Ichabod Crane; Christina Ricci....Katrina Van Tassel; Casper Van Dien....Brom Van Brunt; Miranda Richardson....Lady Van Tassel; Michael Gambon....Baltus Van Tassel; Marc Pickering....Young Masbeth; Christopher Walken ....Headless Horseman; Michael Gough.... Hardenbrook; Christopher Lee....Burgomaster; Jeffrey Jones.... Steenwyck; & Lisa Marie....Lady Crane.