Vanilla sky or Abre los ojos : great Science Fiction Psychological Thriller

Rating: 8/10 (4 August 2006)

VANILLA SKY
Whichever you chose to watch, the original "Abre los ojos" or the Hollywood remake "Vanilla Sky", this is a great Science Fiction Psychological Thriller and if you like this genre, the first time you watch it you'll often be on the edge of your seat with your eyes glued to the screen waiting for something unexpected to happen: and it will.
Vanilla sky (2001) and Abre los ojos (1997).
While most people rate the original "Abre los Ojos" as a being a better film than the American remake "Vanilla Sky", both movies have their pros and cons in spite of being nearly identical in the plot. Abre Los Ojos feels more natural, more realistic, and has that plain, gritty feel of many European movies. The characters feel more real, but the cinematography is also less spectacular than in Vanilla sky.
Vanilla sky while containing plenty of drama and thriller elements, has also more space for humor and playful synergy between the characters. The overall feeling is that you are in a Hollywood fantasy. This lends a lightness to the movie that Abres los Ojos doesn't have. This is also a reason why people might like it less than the original: Abres Los Ojos sticks to the drama, to the story, and the interaction between actors is nearly always serious: the filmmaker wants you to believe this is actually all happening and it's no joke. The acting is in any case good in both movies. Whichever movie you chose to watch first is going to diminish the experience of watching the other version. If you're a Tom Cruise fan, the choice is easy!