2/5 Elizabeth 90210
  by Crystal Starr Light (Here)
This movie has been on my to-view list for too long. So now, I broke down and rented.
Phillip II raises an army in Spain to attack the Protestant England, ruled by Elizabeth I. Elizabeth struggles to balance the Catholics and the Protestants in England, and to face off against the Spanish Armada.
The costumes, sets, and scenery are goregous, stunning. I can't tell you how often I would look at Cate Blanchett and think she was Elizabeth (in her costumes, she looks a lot like the paintings I've seen of Elizabeth I). The same goes for Samantha Morton as Mary. Absolutely stunning!
I think Cate did a fair job as Elizabeth, I enjoyed watching Geoffrey Rush as Sir Francis Walsingham, and Samantha Morton was excellent as Mary.
As I'm sure you could tell, I had trouble giving a plot to this story. Much of it seems to revolve around the teenaged antics of Elizabeth falling head over heels for Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen), who only has eyes for Bess, the Queen's attendant. While I am sure that Elizabeth wasn't the portrait of perfection that we receive from history, I got tired of the melodrama of the romantic angle (hence the title of this review). It feels like a blasted soap opera. And it interrupts the conflict between Spain and England, making that storyline almost impossible to understand.
And the pacing! So slow, so boring, so tedious! So confusing! All these events...Mary's treason, Sir Francis Walsingham intercepting messages. It might make sense if it weren't so hidden, so buried underneath the romantic triangle.
Cate Blanchett attempts to do a good job with Elizabeth and she does make the queen appear strong, but at times, she makes Elizabeth too human, whining, complaining in front of her courtiers, in front of the people she's supposed to govern, who are supposed to respect her. What kind of woman can command admiration to be called the Virgin Queen if she is angsting over Raleigh being with Bess? Clive Owen is forgettable as Raleigh, Abbie Cornish will never win an award of any kind for her "performance" as Bess, and Jordi Mollà as the Spanish King just cements in our heads that Spain = Bad.
Lastly, historical inaccuracies abound, even to a history dunce such as myself. Wasn't Mary Elizabeth's sister, not cousin? Didn't she die before Elizabeth took the throne? Would Elizabeth really go all Eowyn on us and ride out Theoden style to meet her army? I understand that movies don't have to be historically accurate 100% of the time, but I can only suspend my disbelief so much.
Ultimately, I wouldn't recommend this movie. Perhaps history buffs might be able to glance over the inaccuracies (probably not) or maybe the uninitiated can become interested in the story (if they like romance triangles), but other than that. I don't know. But I know how I feel, and I didn't enjoy it. 2 stars for Cate Blanchett's attempts, Geoffrey Rush, and the gorgeous costumes.

5/5 Against the grain...
  by HardyBoy64 (Rexburg, ID United States)
I'm going to go against the grain and say that I loved this movie. I didn't expect a clean and accurate history lesson, so I simply enjoyed the fascinating character of Elizabeth (portrayed perfectly by Cate Balnchett), the stunning cinematography and the gorgeous musical score without worrying about historical accuracy. I was not bored at all while watching this (Unlike "The Queen" with Helen Miren) and I can honestly say that I will be watching this film again.

3/5 For Elizabeth I fans...
  by tnrosegarden (Richmond, VA USA)
Good, but by no means as good as the first one. Cate Blanchett is, as always, exquisite, but the story line did not go deep enough. They glossed over some major pieces of history.

5/5 Great Acting and Costumes!
  by Loyd E. Eskildson (Phoenix, AZ.)
Cate Blanchett alone makes this movie fantastic. Her characterization of Queen Elizabeth is genius - every cell in her body becomes the powerful queen. Cate Blanchett shows Queen Elizabeth's ability to change "masks" - The queen who holds court shows her intelligence, strength, ruthlessness, yet has a sense of ironic humor. The queen in private shows her emotions, love, and fears. There are threats all around her.

Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen) appears on the scene and throws his cloak below her feet so she does not step in a puddle. His dashing ways attract her as someone different from the boring duties of the Court. He tells of exciting adventures with savages, brings strange exotic items from the New World: potatoes and tobacco as well as a few Native Americans. her Court. Sir Walter distracts and intrigues her - makes her weak, she knows her rules as Queen, yet she needs him near. He notes that he has named territory after the Virgin Queen "Virginia."


She wants to focus on her responsibilities instead of personal matters. Skullduggery and
treachery is all around. There are fights on what religion should be practiced - an Armada that carries the Spanish Inquisition is coming to England to crush out the Protestants and make Catholicism the national religion. She depends on her advisor Sir Francis Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush) to flush out her betrayers. Her own cousin, Mary Stuart (Samantha Morton) is plotting to have Elizabeth assassinated.

Again, Cate Blanchett is riveting as Queen Elizabeth, and the movie revolves around her role. The movie is excellent and the beautiful costumes, landscapes and sets frame the actress well.


3/5 Terrific visually but often boring as a box of Quaker oats!
  by Patrick W. Crabtree (Lucasville, OH USA)
Here we have a wonderfully produced semi-epic film, with sprawling scenes... film art at its best; however, it really drags in terms of action.

In a more positive defense of the film, if you are really into historically-based movies, I think you'll enjoy this one a great deal. But like similar productions such as Becket and Anne of the Thousand Days / Mary, Queen of Scots, in an effort to accurately convey the tale the details here prey heavily upon the final achievement.

The Story: It's all about the reign of Elizabeth I (1533-1603), daughter of Henry [Tudor] VIII and one of England's most renowned and controversial queens. There's a particular focus on Elizabeth's troubles with both Spain and with the large Catholic population of her country. (Henry VIII had been excommunicated by Pope Clement VII. The King had married the sensual Anne Boleyn, [mother of Elizabeth I] absent the Pope's approval of an annulment from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, and then Henry subsequently established the Protestant Church of England.) The story also involves Elizabeth's rocky relationship with her Catholic cousin and rival for the British throne, Mary Queen of Scots who was ultimately executed by a malevolent Elizabeth.

I feel additionally compelled to remark that the casting for this movie was near-perfect as were the indoor sets and outdoor locations. For this specific reason, I would especially recommend that you view the movie in its widescreen version on the biggest widescreen television you can find.

In summary, if history is your thing, you'll likely award this 1 hour and 55 minute film four or five stars. If not, you'll probably be bored to tears.

TIP: Many public libraries carry this DVD to loan out free-of-charge... you might consider borrowing it and afterward purchasing it if it turns out that you enjoyed the film.