★★½ Elizabeth: The Golden Age

[Gino: 2.5 sp]

Gino says: 'I watched this because (A) I basically end up watching anything starring Cate Blanchett at some point (and you have the great Geoffrey Rush in there too, and (B) I enjoyed the first film which told of the coming to power of Queen Elizabeth I. This sequel focuses on internal strife in the court, an affair of sorts between the Queen and Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen), and a maid of the court, and mostly a Spanish invasion of England. Most critics seem to dislike this film, saying that it was just a soap opera. Perhaps because I was expecting that, I wasn't really disappointed. It's the kind of thing that if it came on TV you'd probably want to watch it. But not as good as the first film.'