Elizabeth: The Golden Age (HD DVD)

While I don't think Elizabeth: The Golden Age is a very good film and admit it doesn't have any kind of rewatchability factor, I think people have been rather harsh toward it. I am not sure if it is because Cate Blanchett was nominated for an Oscar for her performance as Queen Elizabeth or if they just had it out for the film from the get go, but there seems to be something about the film that turns the majority of the critical base off.

Admittedly, the story wanders and ultimately ends up nowhere and the film is nothing more than an excuse to show off elaborate costumes and cathedrals, but the first time I saw it in the theater I will say I didn't entirely hate the experience. My "C" review pretty much sums it up by saying, "Length and focus, really spells this film's demise. It is far too short for the story they were trying to tell and the focus is everywhere due to them trying to cram several plot points inside of two hours while making time for romance, deceit and war."

Ridiculed for its lack of historical inaccuracy I think I was more turned off by director Shekhar Kapur and co-writers William Nicholson and Michael Hirst who resort to one-liners and big boastful speeches in an attempt to dupe audiences into thinking they are watching something more special than they really are. The script for The Golden Age really lacks in power, depth and breadth. Blanchett's performance is too big for this ship-in-a-bottle feature that is never allowed to fully let loose its sails as it squanders its story into a miniscule running time of just under two hours. Seriously, two hours isn't enough time to cover the relationship between Elizabeth and Mary Stuart let alone everything else that comes with her ordered execution.

However, despite all its shortcomings, this is a film you could put in the player, press mute and just watch as the beautiful costumes, cathedrals and rolling hills swim by. In high-definition, this HD DVD looks simply marvelous. There is so much color and intricately designed costume and set pieces that you can't help marvel at what you are seeing. This film earned an Oscar nomination, and rightly so, for costume design and I think it deserved another for art direction. Unfortunately that is all it got right, and the same goes for this home video release.

Kapur's commentary is bland, the special features are downright boring and everything else that comes with this package will put you right to sleep.

Should you buy Elizabeth: The Golden Age? Hell no. Should you rent it? Perhaps, but only after you have seen the vastly superior original, because I think if you watch this one first it may actually ruin the first film. The first film does have its flaws, but in comparison to The Golden Age it is a work of art.