A sequel to 1998's Elizabeth, Shekhar Kapur's follow-up on England's Virgin Queen—played again by the magisterial Cate Blanchett—definitely does not glisten, except in the purely visual sense. The original, which covered the four years preceding Elizabeth's accession in 1558 and the initial period of her reign, told its story in the style of a 16th-century The Godfather saga and was cheekily amusing. This second entry in a proposed trilogy jumps forward to the 1580s, and variously focuses on: the conspiracy against the queen centered on her rival, Mary Stuart (Samantha Morton); Elizabeth's successful defense of the country against the Spanish Armada; and her romantic attachment to the dashing seaman Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen)—a dalliance that turns sour when he falls for a younger woman. But in striving for a mixture of political machination, stirring adventure, and woozy romance, the film comes across as stilted and juvenile, more Classics Illustrated than classic. The battle sequences are almost humorously small-scaled, while the romantic triangle resembles something lifted from a 1940s-era costumer from Warner Brothers (the dialogue is packed with banalities and howlers). Despite the title, The Golden Age is at best bronze or copper. Optional. [Note: DVD extras include an audio commentary by director Shekhar Kapur, a 12-minute “making-of” featurette, a “Commanding the Winds: Creating the Armada” behind-the-scenes featurette (12 min.), a “Towers, Courts and Cathedrals” location featurette (11 min.), nine minutes of deleted scenes, a seven-minute “Inside Elizabeth's World” production featurette, and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a somewhat lethargic historical costume drama.] (F. Swietek)
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Universal, 115 min., PG-13, DVD: $29.99, Feb. 5 Volume 23, Issue 1
Elizabeth: The Golden Age
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