Customer Reviews

Open Your Eyes (Abre Los Ojos) (Widescreen)

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

'Abre Los Ojos' - or 'Open Your Eyes' - is Spanish director's Alejandro Amenábar's master work. Amenábar is famous here in the United States for his subsequent work with Nicole Kidman in 'The Others,' but he first burst into international prominence as the writer and shaper of the wildly inventive 'Ojos.'

And that caught the attention of the international film set, including director/screenwriter Cameron Crowe and Tom Cruise. They re-shaped the 1997 release of Madrid-based 'Ojos' into 2001's NYC-based 'Vanilla Sky'.

Without getting into a lengthy blow-by-blow comparison of the two releases, let's just say that anyone who sees the original after the re-make has the same comment: "I really wish I had seen the original first."

Exactly. It's the far superior film. Crowe/Cruise add nothing to it, and in fact seem to have suceeded only in totally confusing or frustrating their audience.

Although I should point out that Cameron Diaz is really brilliant in 'Sky' as the doomed femme fatale, far better than Najwa Nimri, who played the same role in 'Ojos.'

Mostly fascinating, if occasionally a bit too silly and far-fetched for it's own good. Multiple realities and questions of perception always fascinate me, and this was no exception. Additionally, most of the performances were very, very strong.

But it did have a few moments of seeming too pleased with itself for how clever it was, and the end made me wonder if the whole thing wasn't a bit more shallow than I was giving it credit for being.

None-the-less, beautifully shot, and full of interesting ideas and unexpected twists. I should probably see it again; I liked it quite a bit on first viewing, and it's one of those complex, challenging films that might grow even better on repeated viewings.

One of the finest movies you could possibly take a "risk" on, if you're wondering about purchasing this film, which received limited release - but massive critical praise - in North America.

Comparing it to its American remake is a silly waste of time - one ought to review THIS film, which is a wonderful, endlessly intriguing and enthralling STORY that is one of the most original movies you will ever see. Ignore the misleading cover, by the way - while it may boost sales, this movie is far, far more than a story of an attractive woman.

(And if one really wants to discuss remakes, one would do better to focus on "The Matrix", which was every bit as much a copy of this film as "Vanilla Sky" - though its makers somehow forgot to mention their source material).

Like many in the English Speaking world, I saw Vanilla Sky without realizing that it was the American Remake of the Spanish movie Abre Los Ojos. Once I discovered that, I saw the original. WOW! Typically, Hollywood takes a terrfic non-English language movie and the remake, while glitzierlacks the itensity of the original. It maeks you wonder why Vanilla Sky was even made (aside from making money!) The acting and emotions in the original movie were much better than in Vanilla Sky- even with sub-titles! It is quite interesting, seeing Vanilla Sky first, as it's essentially the same story, except in New York instead of Madrid. Penelope Cruz plays Sofia in both movies, whcih adds to the interest- seeing her do in English and the US what she had done four years earlier in Spain!
Without repeating the story line of both movies (essentially- how can you tell a dream from reality?)-given a choice A between the two nmovies, Abre Los Ojos is the best one- though I liked Cameron Diaz as Julie in Vanilla Sky better than the woman who played Nuria in Abre Los Ojos- but otherwise the Spanish movie runs circles around Vanilla Sky. This is quite typical of foreign movies when compared to their Hollywood "remakes" Don't waste your time or money on Vanilla Sky , unless you wish to compare them

While I wouldn't classify Open Your Eyes (Abre Los Ojos) under the thriller genre by any means, this film kept me glued to the screen,and certainly gave me a good scare or two. And when the whole thing was over I actually found myself dissapointed because viewing this film for the first time is such a thrilling,suspensful journey- this film does not for one minute let you in on whats going to happen next.

Not giving anything away, I'll say that the film involves a young man named Cesar (Eduardo Noriega) who seemingly has it all. Looks,money,girls,friends-until a devastating car accident plotted by a psychotic ex-girlfriend sends him into a mental and emotional hell.Meanwhile, he has fallen in love with Sophia(Penelope Cruz,loads of charm), and the fate of their relationship becomes unknown.

I believe that whatever genre of movies you prefer, you can still enjoy Open Your Eyes.It's incredibly original, and will keep you on the edge of your seat-I guarantee. All the way through, the film manages to be both detached, in the sense you're never really sure what's going on-but it adds personal,humane touches which is what makes Abre Los Ojos a truly unique film experience. Definately worth a viewing. It doesn't really have a big moral, or a huge point to make, its basically just questioning and asking you to come along for this wholly entertaining,well thought out, thrilling ride. What does it question? See it to find out.

Like most reviewers, I saw "Vanilla Sky," the American remake of this film, long before I saw "Abre Los Ojos." After finally seeing the original version, I'm left absolutely bewildered why anyone thought that it needed to be remade to begin with. This is a truly beautiful film. Wonderfully acted and written, and done with a fittingly modest budget. Granted, it's not in english, but I don't think the average viewer is as turned off by that as Hollywood seems to think. (How many copies of "Amelie" were sold in the US??? It's probably more to do with poor marketing than actual hatred of "reading" films.)

I will not get into a sprawling review of the film, as there are many reviews already posted which do so adequately enough. Just take my advice, if you found even a little in "Vanilla Sky" that you liked, and yet found it to be a deeply flawed film (as I did), give this version a try. It is a much more complete and well constructed film than "Vanilla Sky" ended up being. Far superior, in my opinion.

I saw _Vanilla Sky_ first, but it did not cloud my judgment on ABRE LOS OJOS. What a great film: metaphysics and psychology in a mesmerizing thriller.

I cannot recommend this strongly enough.

Vi _Vanilla Sky_ antes de ver ABRE LOS OJOS, pero eso no me confundió en cuál fue la mejor película: ABRE LOS OJOS.

Es tan buena película, mezclando la metafísica y la psicología en un film lleno de intriga.

La recomiendo mucho.

Everything about this wonderful film has been said in the other reviews. It is much better than the American copy and it is a pleasure to hear Penelope's beautiful castillian. Also in this movie one sees a lot more of her great figure than in later films after she became famous.

I have not seen "Abre los ojos". I saw "Vanilla Sky" a few nights ago and liked it. And I started to read reviews for "Abre" once I realized "Vanilla" was a remake of it.
The reason I'm writing this "review" is that I've noticed everyone's been giving high praises to "Abre" for its originality. Now my disclaimer is that I've only seen "Vanilla", but while I was watching "Vanilla", I felt I recognized "strong" influnces and borrowing from a 1985 Japanese novel called "Hard-boiled wonderland and the end of the world" by Haruki Murakami. "Hard" is also a sci-fi/romance/thriller type of story that fluctuates between realities and the subconscious. By the end of the story, the reader along with the protagonist eventually realize that "the end of the world" is a creation from the narrator's consciousness that theorectically can last forever, except for his own sneaky subconscious and id lurking around in the background... The protagonist in "Hard" ultimately also chose the sweet-bitterness of reality over the imaginary kingdom where he reigned. I remember the protagonist had a difficult time choosing because he had grown to love the strange world his mind had created. He also felt responsible for the people that his mind had conceived, he was torn by the realization that these people that he had come to care about are all going to cease to exist once he leaves. I loved that book.

Is there anyone out there who also see the "strong" similarities?

This is the original movie from which Vanilla Sky took it's story line. Vanilla Sky , though good, pales by comparison. This version has a wonderful cast - the characters are believable and passionatly portrayed. Watching this movie is like taking a roller coaster ride with Cesar, the main character. You get pulled through all the twists and turns of the plot right along with him. While he's trying to figure out what is happening and whether he is losing his mind you are right there trying to decide the same things. The plot isn't obvious and the story keeps you guessing to the last seconds. If you like psycholoical thrillers with lots of suspense, mystery and twists, this is a movie for you !