Relatively Pointless Remake

Rating: 4/10 (2 August 2008)

First of all, I have to say that this is actually not a bad movie. I even have to admit, that I found it quite amazing, after I watched it for the first time, and later for three or four other times. I also heard about the fact, that this is a remake of a Spanish movie, "Abre los Ojos", which has been made only four years before. But because "Abre los Ojos" is probably in most countries less famous than the high budget Hollywood remake, it took some time, since I saw the original movie for the first time.
After I did, I realized, that "Vanilla Sky" obviously includes some of the strong ideas of "Abre los Ojos" and converted them somehow nice. It actually follows the dramaturgy of "Abre los Ojos" almost(!!) 1:1, camera work and light is technically very good as most high budget blockbuster movies are...
...and at least Paul McCartney wrote and performed a quite nice song for the credits, which is worth listening at...
...but in my opinion, "Vanilly Sky" goes over the top in most stylistic subjects (e.g. music also), maybe just to challenge the original movie anyhow or - I don't know. I can not see any reason why they decided to bring in these pointless music montages and the long dialog explanation and, as I think, one-dimensional interpretation of the events for the spectator at the end by this strange character "Ed Ventura" (played by Noah Taylor).
My main point is, that "Vanilla Sky" missed the chance to come to any relevant or interesting conclusions about the social important subjects of media or psychology, which were part of the heart of the original script. Instead of this, director Cameron Crowe and leading role actor and co-producer Tom Cruise were looking for more metaphysical and religious aspects and changed the ending of the original movie ideologically, which is, in my opinion, much less interesting than in "Abre los Ojos".
I don't say, that a remake has to be automatically worse than the original, but it should bring in any relevant or innovative aspects, which "Vanilly Sky" hardly does.
Altogether on one hand an interesting movie, which on the other hand is not really worth to watch, if you already know the original. "Vanilla Sky's" strongest contents already existed in "Abre los Ojos".
"Abre los Ojos" - 8/10 "Vanilla Sky" - 4/10