Very fun ride!!!

Rating: 8/10 (5 March 2005)

After watching "Vanilla Sky" then watching the original "Abre Los Ojos" or "Open Your Eyes", I must say I enjoyed Vanilla Sky the most. Oh, its true that it is almost frame for frame the same as the original, made in 1997, and it is also true that they even seem to have found actors that look very similar to the original cast. In fact, one is the exact same actor - Penelope Cruz. However, it does not, in my mind, take away from the fact that "Vanilla Sky" was very well made and i thoroughly enjoyed the trip.
Now, when comparing the two films I can absolutely agree that "Vanilla Sky" is nothing more than a photocopy - its obvious! Or is it? You see, I feel this movie IS a copy of the original in structure but certainly not form. One can shoot the same object in a different way and thereby impose a different vision to the objective viewer. That is certainly the case here.
I feel that though these two movies are identical, "Vanilla Sky" stands out in style and presentation. This always helps to immerse the viewer, if only for around 120 minutes, into the world presented on screen. However, I did very much enjoy "Abre Los Ojos" and I would highly recommend it to anyone. It certainly does have its own merits. Oh, but be prepared for subtitles, which I'll admit, takes me out of the moment.
Thanks for indulging me.