Actually, I like CGI, A LOT.... but completely agree that it should almost NEVER be the focus of the film... which, today, it is all too often.
But on to my bias.... I'm not going to use the word 'cheating' because it isn't. It's simply using today's tech. BUT... I don't respect it much. Here's why -
I'll use an analogy... I know people who are GREAT at math, (I'm not)... and can do incredibly complex mathematical problem in their head. That impresses me a LOT more than someone using a calculator. (I can do neither). That's how I see special effects in film.
Even the OLDEST and most 'phony' looking special effects from yesteryear astound me FAR more than today's special effects. They had to 'think'. Even "B" flick horror films can display truly amazing creativity in achieving the effects.
Now that's NOT to say 'creativity' is missing from today's CGI... but then again, it kind of is, for me.
Universal City Studio Tours used to have a great show in which they discussed 'perspective' in old films. Like erecting sets in proportions meant to portray great distance, or short distance.... size of objects, and people. Some of their expertise was true genius.
Today I truly DO like great CGI like in "The Hobbit"... but it can get in the way. The battle with the dwarves against the Orcs down in the big dave, for example, was so overwhelming I couldn't take it in. Too much.
At the same time... and ZN originally brought this up... Gandalf's horseback ride into Minas Tirith in LOTR was simply delectable. BUT... since it was CGI I wasn't amazed by 'how' they did it... I was by the creativity of envisioning the scene to begin with, however. - JamesJM