what the hell does this movie want?

Rating: 4/10 (14 February 2008)

the movie is too melodramatic and inaccurate to really work as a historical movie, but it doesn't really work as a drama either. it works even less as a political conspiracy movie or as a war movie. but all these different genres are forced together in a awkward way. and while the story is told as it was an epic, it's schizophrenic nature never allows it to really feel epic. what the hell does this movie want? allow Blanchett to play queen Elizabeth once more, it seems. her performance is outstanding, it must be said, and the costumes are impressive too, but unfortunately that's not enough to carry the movie. also, the portrayal of England as the glorious land of heroes and Spain as dark, evil kingdom is so over the top that it insults the audiences intelligence.