Cate reigns in the second installment of Elizabeth

Rating: 9/10 (16 October 2011)

For viewers who have not seen this film and you do not mind remakes of historical figures, this is one to watch with Cate Blanchet returning to play Queen Elizabeth, this film shows the time after her claim to the throne and how one woman conquered the Spanish empire.
If you have watched the first, in the end of the film when she cuts all her hair off and makes herself entirely hideous to 'Marry England' it continues as if she regretted doing that in 'The Golden Age'as she so obviously feels unattractive and like she has lost her youth and when the charming Sir Walter Rileigh appears problems occur and the plot takes a rather bland path.
It strangely takes the form of a ill-fated romantic movie, which can be quite irritating when you much rather grab a few dollars and head down the video store where you sure would find a few.
I suppose it was added to make the film more interesting but really i find it a distraction to the importance of it. The final scene is powerful and seems to steer the film back on the right track.
Cate seems to have a real connection now to Elizabeth's character and fits perfectly into the oversised wigs and elaborate dresses to elevate the film's success with her superior acting talent.
Although previous comments have critisied the making of Elizabeth to be clichéd' and predictable, it basically is the closest you will find to a non-soapy Hollywood remake of one of the worlds most famous rulers: Elizabeth.