The finest actress of her generation

Rating: 8/10 (6 November 2007)

The above comment of course refers to the wonderful Cate Blanchett.I have seen this movie today and once more find myself at odds with the many people who seem to have hated this movie.I can't understand this but I guess that is what makes IMDb such an interesting site.So many differences of opinion plus the chance for all of us to become reviewers.For what it's worth,these are the things that I wasn't so keen on in this film.
It isn't historically accurate but that didn't bother me too much.I wanted to be entertained and not given a history lesson although I did learn quite a lot.The story did drag slightly at times and I felt that the battle scenes at the end were rushed,although they were very well done.I would say that the first movie 'Elizabeth' was better but that was a hard act to follow.A good job has been made of this sequel and it definitely is a worthy follow up.
What impressed me was the quality of the acting with Geoffrey Rush,Clive Owen,Samantha Morton and Abbie Cornish all giving fine performances.It was a pity that Rhys Ifans wasn't used more as he was impressive in his role.The cinematography was excellent and the musical score was well suited to the movie.It must be said though that the movie belongs to Cate Blanchett who once again shows what a fabulous actress she is.She has a wonderful screen presence and I could't take my eyes off her whenever she was on screen regardless of who's she was acting with at the time.She probably won't win an Oscar for this film but she should do.I can't think of anyone that could have given such a commanding performance and this movie would be so much less without her.
So 'Elizabeth:The Golden Age' isn't a perfect movie,but there is enough about it that is right and it is well worth watching.Plus there is Cate and that is reason enough to give this 8 out of 10.