Triple Feature Part III: The Golden Age

Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Directed by Shekhar Kapur
Released October 12, 2007

This is an uncommon form of the sequel - the epic no one was clamoring for nine years later. It takes far too much for granted that the first film had a chance to really delve into Elizabeth's character as well as expand on the religious conflict. "The Golden Age" picks up in the middle without really giving any thought to exposition. The events of the film are rarely too interesting or engaging, and with the exception of a small few dazzling shots, there just is not very much here, since this is not a full-out epic but rather a historical drama. All the actors do fit in quite well with the time, but no one delivers an amazing performance besides Samantha Morton, who has a tragically small role as Mary, Queen of Scots. For the rest, it is the same old thing: Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, and Clive Owen are fine but nothing memorable. The same is by all means true of the film.

C+