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Why I don't want to watch Avatar

By Zhang Xi (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-29 11:34

Have you watched Avatar? That was the way my friends greeted each other at get-togethers after the Hollywood blockbuster hit Chinese cinemas.

I have not watched it and have no intention of doing so.

My indifferent attitude caused my friends' jaws to drop and their next question was: "Why not?"

I know there are overwhelmingly positive comments about Avatar at home and abroad, folks are standing in line to praise it, contributing their money to the Golden Globe award-winner. But its huge success makes me compare it with the story of the Emperor's New Clothes.

Of course, I don't mean the movie is garbage, but moviegoers have been told how great it is long before they entered the cinema. Even though they may feel it's not that good, they will choose to follow dominant opinion, especially after lining up for hours and spending 130 to 150 yuan ($19 to $22) for an IMAX ticket - a very expensive treat for moviegoers in China.

I watched the trailer online. Sadly, I didn't get the "greatness" of it. All I could see was an animated film with a garish color palette.

To win a best picture award a film should really have a skilled cast and portray a good story. But actors' and actresses' performances in Avatar are just OK - even drama school students could carry it off because those digital characters are the real stars.

Director James Cameron hopes people will find a way to prevent conflict and live more harmoniously in this world by watching the film.

But many people who watched it and were deeply immersed in the 3D effects agree that the storyline was the least impressive part of the movie.

If a movie doesn't have a good storyline, how can it be named "best movie"?

Cameron's grand experiment with digital filmmaking resulted in unique sights on screen. But the film should not be portrayed as anything more than it is.

It might be worthy of the prize for best special effects at the Academy Awards, but not best picture.