The first 45 minutes of this sequel about the life of Queen Elizabeth are the most gratifying film opening I have experienced in months. It is not the plot that glues your eyes to the screen but the way the director shoots the scenes and moves quickly from one location to another. The camera is always in motion, filming from unexpected perspectives. You feel like being introduced to a whole new way of film-making. Unfortunately the director is not able to sustain this wonderful approach and the film settles into more familiar grooves. Since we know how the story will end (Elizabeth will not have children and she will triumph to make it her Golden Age), the second half of the film is merely good. Clive Owen as Mr. Releigh shows that he can also play a charming happy fellow. The historical setting is beautifully rendered,  except for two computer generated scenes of a large forest and a battle on sea which seem—well—computer-generated rather than real.

I wish the writers had spent more time on showing Elizabeth deliberate in her head the pros and cons of having children and struggling with the decision less superficially than the film portrays it.

If you want to see just how many people are required to make a film of this caliber, the list speaks for itself.  Cast & Staff