Rent the HBO Elizabeth I Instead

Rating: 4/10 (24 October 2007)

I have fond memories of 'Elizabeth' staring Cate Blanchett and I had seen an interview of her on TV where she spoke of wanting to bring something new to the role. I had high expectations when I entered the local movie palace from the 1920s, which the film failed to meet.
My only reaction to Geoffrey Rush was to think that I had seen him to it better before and that he was old and tired in the role.
Clive Owen brought too little to his role and left me with more questions that answers about Raleigh.
Jordi Mollà was opaque as King Philip II of Spain.
Cate Blanchett added nothing to our understanding of Elizabeth I that we hadn't learned from 'Elizabeth' and HBO's excellent 'Elizabeth I'. She was so mysterious as Galadriel in 'Lord of the Rings' and so ordinary as Elizabeth. She should have waited ten more years to return to the role or studied with Helen Mirren.
The film's attention to detail provided the highlights. The battle against the Spanish Armada was the low point 'Elizabeth: The Golden Ages'.