It seems entirely appropriate to describe a film about a headless horseman with horseracing terms, so here goes: "Sleepy Hollow" charges out of the gate but fades in the closing stretch.

Yet it's not so easy to dismiss filmmaker Tim Burton's loose-limbed (or in this case, loose-noggined) retelling of Washington Irving's classic tale as a celluloid nag. Somehow, this uneven horror piece still finishes among the pack of other cinematic thoroughbreds.

After all, it may not a perfect movie, but it is an entertaining one through much of the first hour. Besides, its off-kilter sense of humor will probably delight Burton fans, who have certain expectations about the oddball director's work. And the elaborate set and production design (reminiscent of the British Hammer Films of the '50s and '60s) is so imaginative, that, if nothing else, it is a feast for the eyes.

However, be warned that this is a very R-rated version, with several gory scenes that are much too gruesome for young audiences — or for those with weak stomachs. (In characteristic Burton fashion, though, much of the gore is done for comic, rather than horrifying, effect).

In plot, "Sleepy Hollow" is more of a murder mystery than horror. Johnny Depp stars as Constable Ichabod Crane, a New York City detective who uses science instead of muscle to solve cases.

However, Ichabod's unique style rankles his immediate superiors, who send him to Sleepy Hollow, a village in upstate New York that has been the site for a series of mysterious killings.

Upon his arrival, the terrified townsfolk tell him the murders were committed by the Headless Horseman, a local legend. Needless to say, Ichabod remains skeptical — at least until he witnesses the prime suspect with his own eyes.

Somehow he survives to tell the tale and stumbles onto the horseman's real secret: that he's actually doing the bidding of one of the villagers, who's out for revenge.

But who is the real mastermind? Is it the town's leading citizen (Michael Gambon) or his beautiful daughter (Christina Ricci), a practicing witch? Or perhaps her jealous suitor (Casper Van Dien), who's irked by her sudden attention toward the cowardly detective? Or maybe someone else altogether?

Frankly, the solution is pretty obvious if you're paying any attention. But predictability is just one of the problems with the script — which is riddled with holes — written by "Seven" screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker and a score of "script doctors" (including "Shakespeare in Love" scribe Tom Stoppard, whose witty revisions are noticeable here).

To his credit, Burton keeps the story moving at such a fast clip that some audiences may not notice the problems. He also manages a nearly constant air of menace, which helps.

But a lot of the kudos should also go to Depp, who pays tribute to his late friend, actor Roddy McDowall, with a superb performance that again indicates his talents are at their best when he's working in comedy — and with Burton.

"Sleepy Hollow" is rated R for violent beheadings and sword battles, graphic gore (including some fairly gruesome makeup effects), simulated sex and use of some mild profanities.