DVD - Elizabeth The Golden Age (12)

9:01pm Sunday 16th March 2008

WHILST Elizabeth was a fantastic film, I can't really say it was crying out for a sequel, so this almost comes as something of a surprise.

The Golden Age centres around the middle of the reign, with a handsome swash-buckling Walter Raleigh played by Clive Owen returning from the New World complete with a trunk full of potatoes, Mary Queen of Scots imprisoned and awaiting her fate, and the Spanish teetering on the horizon, busily chopping down their forests to build an Armada.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth is groaning under the weight of being labelled the Virgin Queen, which enables her to keep her power, but on the other hand does prevent her from snogging Clive Owen.

It may be a sumptuous costume drama, but it still can't quite seem to focus on any one subject, elusively flitting from Elizabeth's internal turmoil to an epic sea battle, never quite letting the audience see what makes the age so golden.

The fact that Cate Blanchett manages to draw attention away from her own costume and wig collection is enough of an achievement to warrant an Oscar nomination, but I'm not waiting with bated breath for Elizabeth the Third.

AT

EDITOR'S CHOICE