Random Mexican’s Movie Reviews

Sunday, October 21, 2007
Movie Reviews: ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE
IN THEATHERS




ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE




In this sequel to the hit Elizabeth, Cate Blanchett once again stars as Queen Elizabeth I, who prepares for war against Spain and King Philip II (Jordi Mollà). But as she readies for a major fight to save her crown, she also finds herself falling in love with the adventurer Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen). While an official relationship is strictly forbidden for the Queen, she comes up with a devious plan to keep Raleigh by her side that may actually end up breaking her heart.




Cast Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Clive Owen, Rhys Ifans, Samantha Morton, Abbie Cornish




Director(s) Shekhar Kapur




Writer(s) William Nicholson, Michael Hirst




Status In theaters (wide)




Genre(s) Drama




Release Date Oct. 12, 2007




Running Time 114 minutes




MPAA Rating PG-13 - for violence, some sexuality and nudity




Review:




Elizabeth: The Golden Age manages to maintain the same quality of the original even if it's a tad more melodramatic this time around. Director Shekhar Kapur has a wonderful eye and knows how to stage some truly breathtaking shots, some of the scenes look more like living painting, and helps convey the wonderful sense of opulence of the period. Visually it's a true spectacle to behold. While the first film has a more self contained almost claustrophobic feel this one feel much more epic in scale while maintaining focus on the mental struggle that Elizabeth endures. Cate Blanchett turns in a powerhouse performance in her return to the role that won her an Academy Award. Blanchett conveys such power and strength throughout while maintaining a vestige of humanity. She owns the screen and is a true joy to watch. Geoffrey Rush also returns and is great as usual even if he's not given much screen time here. Clive Owen as Sir Walter Raleigh and provides the character a solid sense of bravado. While the movie is filled with great performances but the film gets bogged down at times with the plot's overly melodramatic sensibilities which some time reach soap opera levels. Also the flim's climatic battle scenes feel mishandled and it's apparent that Kapur isn't in his element shooting actions sequences. Another draw back is that the film plays the Spanish as moustache twirling evil doers lacking any real depth to the primary antagonist. Overall, this film is propped up by stellar performances from its leads so much so that one can over looks the story's flaws.




B-