Customer Reviews

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've never seen the movie so I can't comment on how well the music fits the film. I also can't comment on how this compares to the first "Elizabeth" soundtrack, which obviously has been the point of disappointment for some. All I can say is that if you love soft, beautiful violin and orchestra sounds with choral background, this is a satisfying soundtrack. I'm very glad that I purchased it because it is great music to listen to while working. It may be that it's a poor soundtrack (meaning it doesn't enhance the film's images like it could have). I don't know that, but the bottom line is that it's nice music.

EDIT: I have now seen the movie and I can say that the music works wonderfully in the film. I will say, however, that I wish many of the cues in the film had made it onto the CD. There is enough missing music for a double-disc release!

This score is certainly one of the most interesting ones of the year. For those of you familiar with the soundtrack to David Hirschfelder's "Elizabeth", you should know that this score by Craig Armstron and A.R. Rahman is quite different. Certainly not in a bad way - but the style and tone of each are quite different. While the score to the first film is written in a traditional classical style, this score features a unique blend of several different musical styles. Certainly, one could say that the score is largely classical, but there are several Eastern influences incorporated into the mix. The Golden Age is more strongly thematic than the previous score, featuring three major themes: The Destiny, Love and Divinity themes - all tracing the development of Cate Blanchett's character, Elizabeth I. The strong presence of the choral music from the first score has carried over to this film and is used to great effect. A few highlights of the score include: "Opening", "Mary's Beheading", "Destiny Theme", "Divinity Theme" and "Storm".
One final note: Don't believe the critics that say this score is "overwhelming", if you are a true lover of film music, you will know that it is best to almost forget about the film to truly enjoy the music. Take James Newton Howard's Lady in the Water... A less than inspiring film but it has great music. I'm not saying the Golden Age is terrible because it hasn't been released in Australia yet and I haven't seen it - but I really hate how the critics are bashing it. Films like this are made for entertainment: What is the point of trying to find fault with every tiny aspect of the film? If you don't like it, there's no reason to broadcast it as loud as you can.
Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this soundtrack and cannot recommend it more.

Love this, I've have listened to this many times since I have received it. I like it better than the first Elizabeth movie soundtrack. It's just great to sit back, relax and listen to.

It's been a long time since I heard a soundtrack that grabs your attention with the first beat of the Opening song. Armstrong captures the spirit of Elizabeth I as well as the rolling hills of England with the gorgeous violin solos to heavy drums with great emotional themes that will stick in your mind! This soundtrack is definitely similar to the Passion of the Christ with its dark drum beats. Also it has the emotion of John Williams with a touch of Philip Glass. If I were you, I would watch out for Craig Armstrong, he's an up and coming film composer.

This soundtrack is a bit brighter and much more contemporary than its predecessor which displayed more choral pieces and Renaissance flair. However, I still like it and bought the mp3 album based on the sampling of tracks that are played on the movie's website. It's a bit shorter than the first soundtrack also (20 tracks but the majority under 3 minutes) and I'd've liked to hear longer pieces but there's a lot packed in it. The last track does lack a bit of the umph you'd expect for the end of such a life and royal era.
sidenote: some tracks remind me of the soundtracks for The Passion of the Christ and Moulin Rouge. I have and like both so . . .

I liked the music in the movie, which is the reason I bought this CD. However, there are many pieces missing. For example, in the movie, when she is about to get assassinated, or even when Mary Stuart learns the news that she's going to be tried for treason. Those musical pieces were much better than the "Divinity Theme". I was dissapointed that the people responsible of gathering the pieces did a bad job. The opening theme is in fact the credits theme. The opening theme wasn't even in the CD!!!!

Why oh why do the people who make up CDs for a soundtrack continue to not include some of the best tracks. This is the third time I have searched for a CD of a film only to find that it was impossible to purchase one with all the music. At other times, I have found that it is possible to buy two versions - one partial and one complete and the complete one is a good deal more expensive than the partial one. How long do they think it will be before buyers catch on and not buy either disk.

This soundtrack is not what I expected. In a lot of ways it reminds me of some of Craig Armstrong's work (I have no knowledge of the other composer) that I had liked previously, but oddly I enjoy very few tracks of this score. The best track is 'The Storm' and the last track is enjoyable as well. This may seem unduly negative but I honestly like this CD. I went to see the movie in theatres because I liked it so much. It is simply that I think it could have been better and I rarely listen to the whole CD in one sitting. I prefer to let the power of "The Storm" wash over me on occasion. If you enjoy Craig Armstrong there is every reason to expect that you will like this soundtrack. I personally feel that he, and the other gentleman, did a credible job.

This is one of the best new soundtrack of the day...I highly recomend it!, The musical style and power between the composers is pure amazment, no film composer could come close exept Williams...If you looking for something new and amazing to listen to buy this as soon as possible...!

A fan of both Rahman and Armstrong, the two together don't disappointed. A gloriously evocative score. First-rate!