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Rating:  -
Very nice pictures. This film is for those that appreciate more the stetical side of live/things than the real facts... a lot of both , Hollywood and historical inaccuracy.
Rating:  -
If you enjoy great acting performances, stunning direction and cinematography and more (sets, costumes, etc.) you should be entertained for most of the two hours. The story was pretty interesting, too.
It's tough to beat a foursome like Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Clive Owen and Samantha Morton for good acting but - for me, the star of the film was the photographer. In this case it is Remi Adefarasin. Between his camera-work, the direction of Shekhar Kapur, and the production design by Guy Dyas, this film is a series of pure visual treats.
I'm not one who usually pays much attention to costuming but Queen Elizabeth's attire in this movie is spectacular. A nod to the great costume design efforts of Alexandra Byrne.
Some people complain Elizabeth isn't portrayed as a strong-enough woman in this movie. I'll use a British response for that: "rubbish." Not only is she strong, she is shown as human - not some cold-blooded machine, but as someone with feelings like the rest of us. All her emotions - and I mean all - are on display along with inspiring leadership of her country, with the latter's welfare her number one priority.
Rating: -
While not quite as great and flawless as its predecessor, Elizabeth, it is, however, something grander in scope for which character development suffers a bit.
This sequel is filmed 10 years after the first one, but little is lost along the way. The same writer and director are back and, of course, so is Cate Blanchett delivering yet another knockout performance as the "Virgin Queen" desperate to love, but all too aware of its perils for a queen like herself. The supporting cast is again outstanding, and the addition of Clive Owen, my original vote for the next Bond over Daniel Craig, is an example of perfect casting. Perhaps it's good that Owen wasn't saddled with the Bond films as it has allowed him to do films like this one.
My only criticism of this film is also my strongest compliment in that in this film we focus more on the spectacular than on character development, but it's forgivable in that this film is simply portraying an era in Elizabeth's life that was literally more spectacular as Spain rages war on Britain with it's massive and undefeated armada. This is not to say that we don't have emotional development in this film at all, but rather it's not on the same scale as the previous film.
Where I gave Elizabeth an unqualified flawless 5 star rating, this film also gets 5 stars, but I must qualify it by saying it just not at the same level as the last film. Both are 5 star films, but his one is just not as flawless in my view.
Rating:  -
In this sequel to Shekhar Kapur's 1998 Elizabeth, The Golden Age addresses Elizabeth's status in 1585, faced with war with Spain and the fate of her cousin, Mary Stuart, ousted from the Scottish throne and seeking Elizabeth's aid in reclaiming her rightful place. While plotting treachery against England, Stuart (Samantha Morton) enjoys the freedom to send secret missives to Spain. And Philip II of Spain (Jordi Molla) schemes to deliver the rigors of the Inquisition to England and banish Elizabeth (Kate Blanchett). On a more personal level, Elizabeth is enchanted by an adventurous Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen), recently returned from the New World and bursting with ideas for England's expansion across the sea. Unwilling to release the charming Raleigh for a return voyage, Elizabeth increasingly depends upon him to fill the lonely hours of what is a very solitary reign. The ageing Francis Wallsingham (beautifully understated by the always precise Geoffrey Rush) stands guard at the queen's side, delivering the news she is reluctant to entertain, his conscientiousness grown tiresome, but increasingly necessary over the years.
As events unfold, Elizabeth will face two momentous decisions: how to dispose of her blood relative and fellow-queen, Mary Stuart; and how to successfully engage in war with Spain, Philip's armada soon to arrive off the coast of England, far superior to England's maritime efforts. More painful, personally, is Raleigh's betrayal- Elizabeth's handmaiden, Bess, is carrying his child, yet another bitter pill for this beleaguered queen to swallow on her solitary sojourn as queen of England. Despite Blanchett's perfect beauty in this role and her adaptation of a more mature, yet still deeply emotional monarch, the true star of the film is the extravagant cinematography. The plot line is less than stirring, yet I find it impossible to grade this film with less than four stars for its arresting images. Scene after scene captures the essence of an era, perfectly rendered, historically accurate details: Philip stalking through his palace, black-cloaked and followed by chanting monks, the air suffused with light and grace; Elizabeth, alone in her rooms, the castle huge and hollow without the comfort of one who loves more than serves her.
On the precipice of the battle, Elizabeth emerges to rally her troops, the daunting Spanish armada visible off the coast. She is magnificent in silver armor on a white horse, long red tresses streaming down her back, an iconic Joan d' Arc to spur the men to victory in the face of a superior force. While Raleigh directs the English ships, the battle is engaged, the sea eventually filled with the bodies of the vanquished, Spanish Inquisitors, men of God, horses plunging over the sides of ships, weighty crucifixes tumbling into the deep while Elizabeth and Wallsingham rejoice. Silent much of the time, Blanchett rules this role through the force of her personality, leaving no doubt about the queen's terrible choices and brilliant monarchy. Still as a statue, she stands, hands raised to her people, a vision in white, lonely yet unforgettable. I can still see the striking images in this film, a testament to art and cinematography. Luan Gaines/ 2008.
Rating: -
I had to catch this one on HBO as it was in and out of the theatres too quick for me to see it there and this is one to see on the BIG screen!
I can't believe Elizabeth:The Golden Age did not win best picture. The logistics of the movie must have been a nightmare what with the sets, costumes, wigs, makeup, cinematography,production design,etc.
I like this director's work. He uses the "God view" camera-work, we see the characters by hovering over their heads in many shots. I didn't find this distracting, quite the contrary, it was hypnotic, as was the "artsy" lighting and camera of whizzing around a holy looking Elizabeth.
I don't know if anyone noticed the possibility that Elizabeth was a lesbian or bi-sexual. She seemed to have a very close relationship with the stunningly gorgeous Bess played by Abbie Cornish whom I'd never seen before. I'm straight, but, omigod, if a pale yellow perfect rosebud could be transformed into a human face, it would be hers! Her face is so beautiful pure and innocent, she'll make you weep. Elizabeth seemed sexually torn between Beth and Raleigh which made it pretty interesting.
The costumes, wigs, makeup, sets, cinematography, and especially the bold music score was a feast! It makes me sick that No Country For Old Men beat this one out at the Oscars! I have a feeling that there's a trilogy here, but if this one did not make a profit, I doubt if we'll get to see how it all turned out. Cate Blanchett OWNS this character!!! That gal just couldn't do any bad acting if she tried.
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