China's moviegoers flock to see Avatar

China's moviegoers flock to see Avatar

BEIJING, Dec. 4 -- The most expensive ever Hollywood blockbuster "Avatar" that landed Beijing and Shanghai Monday touched off great enthusiasm among China's moviegoers in spite of the winter coldness.

"It's really thrilling. Two-and-half-hour's enjoyment with the 3-D spectacles plus IMAX technology," said Wang Xiaoyang who had seen Avatar's first release in Monday's wee hours in Shanghai. He booked the ticket at the end of 2009.

Director of the movie James Cameron and his wife Suzy Amis pose at the premiere of "Avatar" at the Mann's Grauman Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California December 16, 2009.

Film showings with 3-Dimensional effect in Peace Cinema, one of the most popular cinemas in Shanghai, have been all booked out for the coming three days.

Xu Zhihua, head of Peace Cinema, described ticket booking as "extremely brisk."

The cinema has even attracted spectators from neighboring Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces who wanted to see the debut.

Cast members Zoe Saldana (L) and Sam Worthington pose at the premiere of "Avatar" at the Mann's Grauman Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California December 16, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on December 18.

Wong Li, the spokesperson of Beijing-based China Film Group Corporation, said, "Beijing's freezing blizzard cannot cool down audience' passion. Avatar got fine feedbacks as adults and children all like it."

Han Runlei, a college teacher said, "The fame of its director and high production cost all add appeal to the film."

The Fox-distributed science fiction film cost up to 500 million U.S. dollars and was directed by James Cameron, who produced many world known films such as "Titanic" and "The Terminator" series.

Cast member Zoe Saldana poses at the premiere of "Avatar" at the Mann's Grauman Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California December 16, 2009.

"Avatar accounted for half of Monday's box offices made by five films shown on Monday and it wouldn't be removed from screen until Spring Festival that falls on Feb. 14," Li Xianping, the general manager of Beijing Ziguang Cinema.

Avatar has broken the 1-billion-dollar mark at box offices worldwide since its opening, and its detailed box offices in China are unavailable at present.
(Reuters)