surely this film be hack up by the studio . perhaps not but i feel there be serious flaw in the storytelling that if not attribute to the edit process could only be cause by grievously bad and criminal indeed and write and direct . i understand the effect burton wish to achieve with the stylise acting similar to the gothic fairytale atmosphere of edward scissorhands and but here unfortunately it fall flat and achieve no mythical depth of trope but only the offensive tripe of affectation . ie bad acting and shallow characterisation even for a fairytale . finally not that scary and indeed only mildly amuse in it attempt . the use of dialogue a a vehicle for plot background be clumsy and unnecessary . the mystery of who be the headless horseman would suffice and no need for the myth about a german mercenary and although christopher walken do cut a dashing figure but not that menace see the horseman head make him seem far friendly that a decapitated inhuman nine foot tall spirit a in the original legend . no real rhythm or universal tone be ever establish and not a classic in burton oevure . stilted and clip a my parting shot .