Filipe Neto This movie is the sequel to "Elizabeth - The Virgin Queen" (1998) and, like all sequels, suffers from an inferiority complex towards the original film. It is a regular historical film, which depicts a key moment of Elizabeth I's reign of England: the Invincible Armada and the English resistance to Spanish ambitions. And Cate Blanchett (who continues to give life to the English queen) is still brilliant in her role, almost being able to become the queen that herself. Unfortunately, as in the first film, this effort follows without the merit and appreciation of the critics and the Hollywood Academy (the Oscar nomination for Best Actress that year did not pass that same). Geoffrey Rush continues to give body to Sir Francis Walsingham and do it with great talent and ability, even though his character has not here the strength it had previously. Clive Owen is perfect in the role of Sir Walter Raleigh and reaches, with this film, one of the most interesting works of his career so far.Historically, unlike the previous film, it didn't seem very able to be faithful to the truth. The script is too imaginative and too much focused on an unlikely and theatrical affair between the Queen and Walter Raleigh. The Spanish Armada is barely portrayed and the struggle between English and Spanish, the natural film climax, ends up being completely emptied of relevance, which makes no sense and puts in question the film edition, and the quality of the script. In fact, there was no ability to foresee the importance of this point for the film's outcome. If the director (Shekhar Kapur) and writers (William Nicholson and Michael Hirst) thought that Blanchett's great interpretation, a very good cast, scenery, clothes and some romantic suggestions would be enough to save the film, they're wrong. Do not make omelets without eggs, says the people, rightly so. This film had everything to be better, to match its predecessor, but a bad script and editing laid everything to lose.Despite its a very still and boring movie (sometimes seems that people have forgotten that they're almost to be invaded), this film is quite reasonable and worth seeing, especially for the excellent work of the actors.

begob A single woman is adored by idiot film-makers.Poor romantic propaganda - and then we have to put up with Clive Owen too. Curses! And I have yet to see a good recreation of the Spanish Armada.This story is stuffed with Anglo bolloxology and completely fails to get to the heart of an amazing person. Blanchett plays the role well, but Elizabeth was a swat and a bitch + none of the humour of her privileged life comes across.Plus Burghley was the major influence on her life, not the totalitarian Walsingham. I'm getting too specific. But Clive Owen? Pshaw!

werefox08 Elizabeth--The Golden Age is vastly inferior to the 1998 Elizabeth. Cate Blanchett is still very good as "the virgin Queen", but ..in essence..its really only more of the same, with a tardy script and some suspect acting. Clive Owen never gets to grips with his role as Sir Walter Raleigh, and is totally unconvincing. There is a lot of history to get through here and scenes that merited more time were rushed. The Spanish Armada was defeated in minutes..!!! It is visually a beautiful movie, and we can expect a final film. (Elizabeth died when she was 70.) Unfortunately i think the "game is up" for director Shekhar Kapur. His ace card was Elizabeth...and that card has been played.

Neil Welch Synopsis: Feisty redhead Lizzie Tudor relishes her executive position, but her love life leaves something to be desired, and she also has to watch out for backstabbing colleagues and competitors. She falls for sea captain Wally Raleigh, but he betrays her with her best friend. So she plots her revenge, only to find she needs his help to see off a challenge from her Spanish competitors.This story of intrigue and suspense at the highest level is densely plotted and well acted by an excellent cast and Clive Owen. Production value is high and the film looks terrific - gorgeous locations, sets and costumes, and good special effects.Allegedly based on a true story, I'm not sure how accurate it is, though.