It has been over 10 years since Elizabeth Tudor (Cate Blanchett) defended her throne from the plots of the Duke of Norfolk and her treacherous lover Robert Dudley as the Virgin Queen.

Now secure in her reign, Elizabeth remains without a husband and an heir. Supported by her most trusted adviser Sir Francis Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush), Elizabeth rules England with a mother’s love, but a wind is coming to change all she knows.

From her prison in the north, Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (Samantha Morton), plots against her cousin’s rule. Determined to bring England to its knees, Mary finds an ally in the deeply Catholic King of Spain, Philip II. They seek the death of the heretic Elizabeth, and the fall of England to Scottish rule.

While Mary arranges her cousin’s assassination, Philip is building an armada to overwhelm the English fleet.

Elizabeth finds herself alone until the arrival of the pirate captain Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen) as a chance to change the tide of war.

This is a film dominated by one factor: Cate Blanchett. She is the God-Queen Elizabeth. Every scene is ruled by her, from her alluring costumes to her white marble face to her masculine yet lyrical voice. Hands down, it’s the finest performance of the year.

Cate Blanchett could possibly be the greatest actress of our time and she sinks her teeth into this role — vigorous at every moment and never false in emotion. This performance alone is worth your money, regardless of anything else the film has to offer. And it offers plenty.

Visually, the film erupts across the scene – sometimes literally. Elizabeth’s costumes are almost disgusting in their beauty. Even Elizabeth’s hair shifts from grandeur to grandeur depending upon her moods; always a feast to witness.

The director, Shekhar Kapur is a man of visual overload. There is never a dull moment. Some will feel it’s almost masturbatory in its visuals, but this is an age of grandeur, and Elizabeth was a woman of overloading beauty. It’s necessary, even if gratuitous.

I loved this film and Kapur has confirmed that this movie is merely part two of his planned trilogy about Elizabeth.

The first movie in this trilogy, “Elizabeth,” is my second favorite movie of all time, so my expectations of this sequel were high. This film is not even in the same league as the first, but it is a wonderful cinematic experience that is worth seeing.

Thus far, the critics have not been kind to this movie – why? I don’t know. But remember, the critics did not like “Crash” until the people loved it and then critics jumped on board. “Capote” was heralded as cinema gold. I fell asleep twice during it.

I must mention the fantastic Samantha Morton. As the treacherous Queen of Scots, she plots and connives with her eyes and keeps her darkest thoughts locked away, afraid someone will find out.

You will enjoy this film. I love this movie. And I say, bring on the third!

Best scene: As Elizabeth faces off against the Spanish ambassador, who openly challenges her rule, she unleashes the full tempest of her rage. She will not allow her reign to be called into doubt; and she doesn’t need any man or soldier to defend her – she is all the warrior she requires. To the call of “I, too, command the winds, sir!” you know all hell is about to rip upon Spain. Cate Blanchett, I salute you. You have balls of solid steel.

Overall: Cate Blanchett once again delivers one of the year’s best performances. Embodying Queen Elizabeth, she drives every scene forward with her power, her beauty and her passion for England. It’s a visual feast, ruled by some of the finest actors today. While not the equal brilliance of the first film, this is still a solid addition to the hopeful trilogy.

– Ellis J. Wells is a senior in performing arts from Portishead, England.