Money makes the world go round..........

Rating: 6/10 (28 September 2007)

I went to the crew screening. SPOILERS.
I don't do this but I was very disappointed with this film and felt I had to get some things off my chest. It's an assumption but whole film has seemingly suffered from the big budget that has been pumped into this. The producers have obviously taken more control and in doing so have demanded a more mainstream picture for returns. I say this because all the conspiracies and intrigue that made the first film so great are now replaced with a very predictable love triangle plot. It is predictable to the point I was left bored during the majority of the film. Only the scenes with Mary were engaging. Samantha Morton is superb in this but is sadly neglected with very little screen time. It was again for the mainstream that the film ignored the fact that Mary was bought up in France and would've had a French accent but maybe this would be a tad confusing for the majority so here she speaks in broad scots. Sir Walter Raleigh is all that is wrong in this film. Looking perfect throughout to the point of camp he is the focus of this film. The worst moment being during the Armada battle sequence where he single handedly steers a fire ship in a Spainish ship hanging from the bow in a scene not dissimilar from Leo in 'Titanic'. It is so clichÃ©d people were laughing. Elizabeth is too pretty in the film. Apparently Cate refused to shave her hairline which would've made her look more in period which is disappointing considering Samantha went for it. the severe look achieved at the end of the first is forgotten about. She was tough, divine and now she is portrayed like a giggling schoolgirl who can't get laid.
I feel disappointed films are becoming increasingly controlled by accountants rather than creatives. This film is a prime example of this.