Try to find the original Spanish version, you'll be happier

Rating: 1/10 (17 December 2001)

When I first saw the previews for Vanilla Sky, I scared everyone around me with my jumping up and down that "I've seen this movie before!!!" Indeed, I had seen the original Spanish version on IFC, and was literally forced to watch the whole thing to the end to find out what really becomes of the main character.
To say I was rather p***ed someone tried to remake that movie was an understatement. But I came expecting nothing - though I hoped this might be just as good, if not better.
Unfortunately, like most other 90-00s hollywood remakes, this film was rather hollow. Sure, Cameron Crowe followed the original Abre Los Ojos exactly (rip-off might be more appropriate) - like the gutter shot, the nightclub, the post-birthday party experience (including the drawing and photos), the post-accident "dream" - but he added way to much meaning to the whole story. Abre Los Ojos was just a psychological thriller, Vanilla Sky wants you to believe it will change you...
My suggestion? Find Abre Los Ojos and watch that...preferably before you see Vanilla Sky - the plot will be more entertaining. Besides, Tom Cruise isn't as much of a 'looker' as Eduardo Noriega.