Intense and well told

Rating: Null/10 (6 January 2008)

This film is the sequel of the Oscar winning film, Elizabeth. This film chronicles the events between Queen Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh, and the tension between England and Spain.
The fine costumes are extravagant and lavish. Together with the well scouted locations, the film easily takes me back to the times when Queen Elizabeth I lived. Cate Blanchett is excellent as Queen Elizabeth I again. Camera work is good, and most shots are well composed. However, I find the shots that look through architectural features too excessive. There are several scenes which the architectural features take up most of the screen, and we only get a glimpse of what we really need to see. An extreme example is when Queen Elizabeth I kisses the ailing man towards the end of the film, we only get to see the scene through a hole. On the whole, this film is intense and the plot is told well. I can only admire Queen Elizabeth I for her firm belief in herself.