By Chris Alexis

A word of advice before seeing Elizabeth: The Golden Age: study up on European history a bit.

I have to say, I liked this movie – but there were some parts where I was bit confused. My friend put it best when he said it was like watching the final chapter in the Star Wars films without ever having seen the others: “Okay, I get that the guy in black, Darth Vader, is the bad guy … but …”

It’s not that you have to see the original movie, Elizabeth, before watching this one; although it won’t hurt. You just need to know your history.

For example, do you know who Mary, Queen of Scots was and her relationship to Queen Elizabeth? You figure it out when watching the movie, but there isn’t anyone there to explain it to you at first, so you sit there confused for a bit. The movie assumes you know the relationships between everybody.

And like I said, I still liked the movie. Cate Blanchett gives another Oscar-caliber performance as the Virgin Queen. The movie has a lot of heart and it does draw you in.

And more than anything it’s such a beautiful movie. Visually stunning. The sets, costumes, photography, everything. It’s brilliant.

The story revolves around Elizabeth being tempted by Sir Walter Raleigh, an explorer who seeks to travel to the New World. Elizabeth has pledged her body, mind and soul to her country, but keeps Raleigh grounded, because she likes him around. However, her means of doing so only cause her heartache.

Not only that, but Spanish King Philip II is trying to overthrow her rule, and she goes to war with Spain.

If you know your history, you already know how everything turns out.

And if you don’t, brush up on it. You’ll enjoy the film a lot more.