Review: 'Elizabeth' a worthy 'sequel'

<p style="text-indent: 0in">Even though it boasts the same star, director, and screenwriter, "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" isn't exactly a proper sequel to the multi-Oscar-nominated 1998 film "Elizabeth." It's just another chapter in the colorful and storied life of the 16th-century British queen. While the first film focused on her ascendancy to the throne at age 25 after her half-sister died, this one shoots forward a couple of decades. It's now a time when she was adored by her loyal subjects but challenged by fiscal woes, the realization that there was neither an heir to follow her nor a suitor to bring about that heir, and rumors that repercussions from the Spanish Inquisition might lead to her assassination.

Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, indeed.

<p style="text-indent: 0in">Cate Blanchett, reprising her role as Elizabeth, continues to show why she's heralded as one of the world's finest actresses. Blanchett masterfully reveals Elizabeth's inner life with just facial expressions. But with her outraged roar, she also proves that Elizabeth was not a ruler to be crossed.

<p style="text-indent: 0in">Blanchett works her acting magic from within an array of stunning costumes and under a variety of dazzling, intricate wigs. But you'll also be riveted when she sits, in just undergarments and wigless, staring at the facial lines that even a queen is powerless to vanquish. In another memorable scene, she's atop her great white horse, adorned in shining armor, her long hair flowing in the wind, giving a pep talk to her troops.

<p style="text-indent: 0in">Geoffrey Rush returns as the queen's trusted adviser Sir Francis Walsingham, and Vidal Sancho plays the slimy Spanish minister. There's also one guy whose allegiances are initially hard to read - the dashing Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen), who comes to the court looking for funding, but gains the queen's interest as a possible romance. Chameleon-like Samantha Morton gives a remarkably strong performance as Elizabeth's cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots. She doesn't let the fact that she's under house arrest in her own castle stop her from attempting all kinds of treachery in a bid for the British throne.

<p style="text-indent: 0in">Writer Michael Hirst and director Shekhar Kapur have loaded the film with all kinds of side plots and characters, and perhaps a bit too much intrigue. Meanwhile, they've glossed over a few areas that could have used more attention. It's too bad there's so little of Rush's quietly witty performance, and not enough explanation of his physical problems. And it's a shame that short shrift is given to what should have been bigger and bolder action sequences during an attack by the Spanish Armada off the British coast. Even though there's some good acting by Abbie Cornish as the queen's young and pretty confidante - also named Elizabeth - some viewers will be scratching their heads as to why her character is even in the film. Her part doesn't go anywhere.

<p style="text-indent: 0in">Still, as a period piece, the film has no current peers. Viewers will be completely wrapped up in set design and costuming, and will likely get a chuckle out of such moments as Raleigh presenting Elizabeth with exotic gifts from the New World: potatoes and tobacco.

<p style="text-indent: 0in">For the record, it's not necessary to see Blanchett's first "Elizabeth" to understand or enjoy this one. "The Golden Age" stands fine on its own.

<p style="text-indent: 0in"> Grade: B+

<p style="text-indent: 0in">Rated PG-13 for violence, sexuality and nudity.