I watched Cate Blanchett as "Hedda Gabler" at the Brooklyn Academy of Music last year; she was a whirlwind onstage. She is definitely one of the best actresses we have today and will most likely get nominated again for her fiery performance as England's Virgin Queen. Too bad "Elizabeth the Golden Age" isn't quite up to par with its predecessor. The production design is impeccable of course. But the pacing is slow. I actually dozed off for a few minutes I'm ashamed to say. The overhead shots, silly dialogue, slow motion scenes, ever-swelling musical score and climactic battle scenes looked as if Shekhar Kapur is taking a page from Jerry Bruckheimer. Like a true geek, there were scenes that reminded me of Aragorn's pre-battle speech, Gandalf at the Bridge of Khazad-dum, Lady Galadriel's walk through the garden, even a Les Miz Fantine-like moment. And it doesn't actually focus on England's golden age. We had already witnessed Mary Stuart's execution in HBO's "Elizabeth I". Just as Elizabeth I saved England, Cate saved this movie. I love Ms. Blanchett and she's one of my favorite actresses. I can't wait to see her as Bob Dylan in "I'm not there".
October 12, 2007
Cate the Golden Girl
I watched Cate Blanchett as "Hedda Gabler" at the Brooklyn Academy of Music last year; she was a whirlwind onstage. She is definitely one of the best actresses we have today and will most likely get nominated again for her fiery performance as England's Virgin Queen. Too bad "Elizabeth the Golden Age" isn't quite up to par with its predecessor. The production design is impeccable of course. But the pacing is slow. I actually dozed off for a few minutes I'm ashamed to say. The overhead shots, silly dialogue, slow motion scenes, ever-swelling musical score and climactic battle scenes looked as if Shekhar Kapur is taking a page from Jerry Bruckheimer. Like a true geek, there were scenes that reminded me of Aragorn's pre-battle speech, Gandalf at the Bridge of Khazad-dum, Lady Galadriel's walk through the garden, even a Les Miz Fantine-like moment. And it doesn't actually focus on England's golden age. We had already witnessed Mary Stuart's execution in HBO's "Elizabeth I". Just as Elizabeth I saved England, Cate saved this movie. I love Ms. Blanchett and she's one of my favorite actresses. I can't wait to see her as Bob Dylan in "I'm not there".
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