An ocean of potential

As of Monday, the sci-fi epic has grossed more than 400 million yuan, with 27 percent of its opening weekend box office taken from IMAX venues.

The new story picks up more than a decade from the end of the first tale, unfolding with Jake Sully, the former US Marine who chooses to become a member of the native Na'vi, leading a happy life with his wife, Neytiri, and their three children, as well as an adopted daughter.

However, a new threat emerges as the human invaders land on Pandora again. Miles Quaritch, the main villain in the first movie who is killed by Jake and Neytiri, lives on in a cloned Na'vi body in which his memories are implanted, and gathers a squad to hunt the protagonist.

To protect his family and avoid bringing harm to his forest-dwelling clan, Jake and his family flee, embarking on a journey that sees them find asylum with the Metkayina — an oceanic Na'vi tribe that can swim like fish and communicate with "Tulkun", a species of whale-like creatures.