The 'bizarre' 'Avatar'-themed wedding
Chinese officials are selling Na'vi-themed weddings in the beautiful forests that inspired the film "Avatar." So why are some critics blue?

The photo: The forests in southern China's Wulingyuan area are so beautiful that James Cameron used them as an inspiration for his idyllic planet Pandora in the blockbuster film Avatar. Local tourism officials have taken note, and are now promoting the spot with Pandora tours and Avatar-themed weddings, complete with attendants dressed up like Na'vi, Pandora's blue-skinned natives. The "not-so-special effects" have left some brides grumbling. "The Na'vi were a couple of forestry workers dressed up in long underwear dyed blue wearing some very unconvincing masks," complained Xiao Tsao. "It was really pathetic."
The reaction: "So much for that magical day," says Jeff Mills in Nerve. I get why the local officials want to exploit a movie "bigger than Jesus and John Lennon combined," but these "bizarre" weddings fall way short of their "potential." In fact, they're "really, really bad," says Michael d'Estries in Ecorazzi. But if you "look beyond those creepy blue guys," the scenery really is stunning. My favorite part of this "hilarious abomination" is the photo itself (see below), says Germain Lussier in Slash Film. "One Na'vi isn't looking and the other seems to be throwing a gang sign while three pretty girls just smile totally unaware of the fame they're about to receive."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
June 1 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Sunday's political cartoons include Donald Trump's golden comb-over, brain drain in America, and a new TACO presidential seal.
-
5 cartoons about the TACO trade
Cartoons Political cartoonists take on America's tariffs, Vladimir Putin waiting for taco Tuesday, and a new presidential seal
-
A city of culture in the high Andes
The Week Recommends Cuenca is a must-visit for those keen to see the 'real Ecuador'