Review of Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007) by Alex Bonafide A — 29 Sep 2013

I like Cate Blanchett. I like Geoffery Rush. I like Clive Owen-- I liked... sort of... Elizabeth: The Golden Age. First of all, there is a distinction between "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" and "Elizabeth", both starring Cate Blanchett and Geoffery Rush in each; I watched the former movie, as it randomly caught my eye on the library shelf.

A lot of this movie is overhyped drama than history, but I found that out afterwards rather than noticing most of it while watching. The acting of Cate Blanchett is an instant highlight; Geoffery Rush's role, solid; Clive Owen, on the other hand, just seemed like Clive Owen in tights.

Although he looked the part of an English pirate, his lack of accent and 16th Century behavior made it rather doubtful. The imagery and environment of the movie was pretty good; more than a couple points, however, the plot progressed but gave hardly any explanations, leaving more room for assuming events than knowing them.

Getting towards the end of the movie, tensions were raised but seemed anticlimactically responded to-- the portrayal, in my mind, did not do adequate justice to what was going on. In addition, the ending itself lacked the strong note the movie started out on.

To conclude this brief review, watch the History Channel's account on Queen Elizabeth's life, and watch Clive Owen in "The International" for a better in-character performance (I may have to do that right now to redeem his role here).