'Elizabeth' sometimes golden

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"Elizabeth: The Golden Age," the second of a projected trilogy that began with 1998's "Elizabeth," is very much like its predecessor.

Both visually stunning films feel like a series of paintings brought to life, interspersed with set pieces of cutting, precise dialogue that feel like Great Historical Moments brought to life. In both films, there's much to marvel over — not the least of which are the performances. But those looking for a penetrating and pertinent analysis of one of the Western world's defining moments will be sorely disappointed.

Australian actress Cate Blanchett reprises the role that made her a star. The film begins in 1585; Elizabeth has ruled England for over a quarter of a century, but doesn't feel much more secure on the throne than when she got it after barely escaping her sister Mary I's reign with her life.

She doesn't look much older, either. In reality, the queen was over 50 by now, but Miss Blanchett is in her late-30s and barely looks it.

The historical inaccuracies don't stop there. Both films portray Elizabeth as a model of religious tolerance. "I will not punish my people for their beliefs, only for their deeds," she says.

Tell that to the martyrs of Tyburn.

Of course, the queen also fears losing her own head over religion. Spain's Catholic king, Philip II ("Blow's" Jordi Molla), is giving sustenance to the queen's Catholic enemies in England — including the imprisoned Mary, Queen of Scots (Samantha Morton) — at the same time as he's gutting Spain's forests to build the mighty Spanish Armada.

Along with her life, Elizabeth worries about her legacy. Her obsession with mortality and immortality might be why she's so entranced with the newly returned Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen). "I like your immensities," she tells the explorer, who's just established the New World's first English Colony. "Your great spaces make us small."

The chemistry between the two stars is palpable. So much so, in fact, that Raleigh's affair with a woman he can sleep with, lady-in-waiting Bess Throckmorton (Abbie Cornish), is barely believable.

Mr. Owen offers incredible sensuality as the "political pirate," as Elizabeth calls him. He's a naughty update on Errol Flynn. Part of the appeal is his unwillingness to pander to the queen — like her love in the last movie, Robert Dudley. Indeed, the relationship — and the film — take the same course as last time. Elizabeth must remain single for political reasons, so she disavows her love and reinvents herself, the first time as a virgin, this time as a warrior queen.

As the Spanish Armada rolls through the English Channel, Elizabeth's advisers urge her to flee. Instead, she arrives on the battlefield sitting regally atop a white horse, long red hair flowing in the wind, with minimal body armor over simple dress. Elizabeth gave one of her most famous speeches here. We don't hear the best lines of it, but regardless, Miss Blanchett is simply thrilling.

Director Shekhar Kapur doesn't seem content to let his film rest on its capable leading lady's shoulders, though. The CGI-heavy battle is over the top, its thunderous clouds rife with symbolism.

More criminal is his underuse of Mary, Queen of Scots. We barely see her, yet we're to believe that the big battle ensues because of her death, which also causes Elizabeth a crisis of conscience. Mary Stuart's silent mouthing of "I forgive you" to her executioner is one of the most touching moments of the film. Like Miss Blanchett, Miss Morton can look both so grand and so small. But Mary's personal choices doomed her politically, while her cousin Elizabeth I's brought her lasting greatness.

**1/2

TITLE: "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"

RATING: PG-13 (violence, some sexuality and nudity)

CREDITS: Directed by Shekhar Kapur. Written by William Nicholson and Michael Hirst.

RUNNING TIME: 115 minutes

WEB SITE: www.elizabeththegoldenage.net

MAXIMUM RATING: FOUR STARS