Elizabeth is darkness. I am light.
- King Phillip of Spain - Elizabeth - The Golden Age

Elizabeth I is undoubtedly one of England's most read about, studied and revered monarchs, living to a ripe old age in a time when middle-age was the end for most, she was an unmarried queen amongst male rivals and contemporaries.

She is defined quite simply through her station as a truly special woman. This is probably why the producers of 1998's Elizabeth chose such a stunning historical idol as their original premise.

That original film was well-received, the reviews were glowing, the awards flowed freely. However, with a predecessor whose plot follows so closely the story of Elizabeth's rise to the throne how can a film that only tells of a small part of her reign can compare?

The Golden Age attempts to produce nearly two-hours of riveting viewing from the Spanish inquisition, ships sent against England by the catholic Spanish king, Phillip II. These facts surely, will only please historians, the viewing public needs sex, passion and intrigue. All three can be found in the guise of a subplot starring the sweltering Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen) and the buxom favourite of the queen Bess Throckmorton (Abbie Cornish).

We mortals have many weaknesses; we feel too much, hurt too much or too soon we die, but we do have the chance of love.
- Sir Walter Raleigh - Elizabeth - The Golden Age

Praises aside, this movie's plot lacks in drive and direction what the first had in bucketfuls. Although Cate Blanchett's performance continues the stunning streak we have all grown to expect from her and Geoffrey Rush's offering as Francis Walsingham is both human and inspiring, nothing can mask the fact there isn't enough meat in this token of history. All the computer-generated ships in the world can't gloss over the fact that the film is full of giant narrative spaces, filled by nothing but sultry shots or 360-degree camera pans.

We will all be judged in the end.
- William Walsingham (Adam Godley) - Elizabeth - The Golden Age

Craig Armstrong's soundtrack delivers a deep and driving sense of gravitas into the film's core and smacks very much of his neo-classic style. Accompanied by the cinematography of Remi Adefarasin and the feel-out-and-touch costume creations which continuously brighten the screen they are something out of a surreal fairytale, at odds with a story steeped in historic reality. One of the stand-out surprises of the film was the laudable performance by Samantha Morton as a staunch and stirring Mary Stuart, an unsung and misled heroine in her own right, more of a victim of her circumstances than a traitor.

It is safe to say that Elizabeth – The Golden Age is a moving, powerful experience but it by no means meets the achievements of its predecessor. Nevertheless it has all the capabilities of enhancing the last and impending instalment in the Elizabeth trilogy.

by Elizabeth Amisu