Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the contrasting market performance of two major Hollywood films, "Zootopia 2" and "Avatar: The Way of Water," highlighting the decline in audience enthusiasm for the "Avatar" franchise compared to its previous installments [6][12]. Group 1: Box Office Performance - "Zootopia 2" has achieved a global box office of $1.1 billion, with $500 million coming from the Chinese market, significantly contributing to its success [6]. - In contrast, "Avatar 3" has faced a lukewarm reception, with pre-sales struggling and a predicted box office of only $1 billion in China, a stark decline from its predecessors [12][24]. - The first "Avatar" film grossed $2.923 billion globally, while "Avatar: The Way of Water" earned $2.32 billion, both surpassing $1.7 billion in China [12]. Group 2: Audience Expectations and Experience - The lengthy runtime of "Avatar 3" (198 minutes) has raised concerns about its value, with ticket prices reaching as high as 215 yuan, leading to heightened audience expectations [8][10]. - Viewer feedback indicates a split perception, with some praising the visual effects while others criticize the narrative for being repetitive and lacking innovation [11][12]. - The film's technical achievements are no longer seen as groundbreaking, as audiences have become accustomed to high-quality visuals, leading to a more critical evaluation of storytelling and pacing [19][25]. Group 3: Industry Trends and Future Implications - The article suggests a shift in audience attitudes towards Hollywood blockbusters, with viewers becoming more selective and cautious about their choices, impacting the traditional model of guaranteed box office success [23][24]. - The high production costs of films like "Avatar 3," estimated at over $400 million, raise concerns about the sustainability of such investment-heavy projects in a changing market [24][25]. - The diminishing returns of technological advancements in film are highlighted, indicating that reliance on visual effects alone may not suffice to attract audiences in the future [25][26].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the contrasting market performance of two major Hollywood films, "Zootopia 2" and "Avatar: The Way of Water," highlighting a decline in audience enthusiasm for the "Avatar" franchise compared to its previous installments [5][6][12]. Group 1: Market Performance - "Zootopia 2" has achieved a global box office of $1.1 billion, with $500 million from the Chinese market, while "Avatar 3" has faced poor pre-sales and mixed reviews, leading to debates about its value [5][13]. - Predictions indicate that "Avatar 3" may only reach a box office of around $1 billion in China, a significant drop from its predecessors, which grossed over $1.7 billion each in the same market [13][22]. Group 2: Audience Expectations - The lengthy runtime of "Avatar 3" (198 minutes) has raised concerns about viewer commitment, with audiences needing to allocate significant time for the experience [8][10]. - High ticket prices, reaching up to 215 yuan, have also contributed to heightened expectations, making the viewing experience subject to stricter scrutiny [10][12]. Group 3: Technological Impact - The film's visual effects, while praised, have not translated into a compelling narrative, leading to a perception of "peak effects but mediocre story" among viewers [11][30]. - The novelty of advanced visual technology has diminished, making it harder for films relying solely on visual spectacle to succeed commercially [30][31]. Group 4: Industry Trends - The article reflects a broader shift in audience attitudes towards Hollywood films, with viewers becoming more selective and cautious about their choices, moving away from the notion that big-budget films guarantee quality [26][27]. - The high investment model for blockbuster films is under scrutiny, as the substantial production costs (over $400 million for "Avatar 3") require consistent global appeal, which is increasingly uncertain [27][29].